We have just returned from a wonderful holiday at Mnemba Island. Collected at Zanzibar airport by Abbas who took us on a short tour of Stone Town before the long but interesting drive to the shore to be picked up by a boat and taken to the island. He was very pleasant and we were delighted that he was there at the end of our stay to transfer us back to the airport. Fantastic that once on the island shoes are not necessary. We liked the laid back feel of the Island and the serving staff went to great lengths to make our stay enjoyable, serve dinners in different locations and provide killer cocktails on request! We enjoyed the sea food - and it was great that we could request changes to the menu when introduced by Simon each morning. The only negative on the food, and i see it was made in a previous review as well, was the pattern of cold soup and either sorbet or ice cream each lunch and dinner. A bit more innovation and variation with starters and desserts would have been welcomed. Main courses were great.Breakfasts were good and varied and there was no problem to ask for food not on the menu. The rooms, called Bandas, were large and had that perfect mix of informality but with all the creature comforts. Wifi in the camp was fast and available in the rooms.The doves - it is a breeding place for the doves - are a bit eerie at first but we soon got used to them. The managers were happy to attend to our requests. We would have liked a bit more interaction with management at meals particularly at dinner times but noted that we were left mostly in the care of the serving staff who were very attentive. Temaini and Christopher were stars. At meals you sit at your own table but there were wonderful other guests and we soon asked the staff to combine some of our tables. Interacting with the other guests was the highlight of our stay. We did not make much use of the diving - but enjoyed our snorkeling and our limited interaction with Matt who runs the diving operation was enjoyable.

This is a special place, but is so perfect that is boring :)! Everyplace is beautiful... the island is perfect, the room is amazing with astonished views, however if you are like me that have a kind of "doves phobia” you should avoid this place because as much as you “say” for yourself that those birds are not bordering you, you are laying for yourself since they go inside you bedroom/bathroom and they don’t go inside you bed when you are sleeping for one reason: you have mosquito net on that…
Food: disappoint… all days you have a cold soup and something else (nothing special)… at night: amazing tables with candles… amazing butler…but they have a tiny mouse that runs in the lounge… ok nature…
Dives: don’t go there for this reason… you’ll be really disappointed… since the ocean is really cool and the fishes are in some place that is not there.
Upside: at the daylight (the birds are at the continent) so you can have the paradise for yourself… walking, snorkeling, eating drinking (very good brands)… it is very nice WHITOUT the birds and with a better chef! They should hire a better chef (the food is ok, nothing special… he is to young and seems that this is his experimental kitchen… not surprises…). It is a lot of money so definitely is not god money for value…

“Never before have I seen whiter beaches or bluer water — it’s like being at the end of the earth, in a good way.”

This island is like a dream. I couldn't believe how lucky we were to end our amazing trip to Tanzania on this breathtaking island.The bandas are spacious, beautiful, and extremely comfortable. They are 100% open air, which is so exhilarating and relaxing. The bathroom is exquisite, with teak wood, an open air sink area, and a spacious shower. Sometimes crabs or gekkos come to say hello while you are bathing. It's not startling at all - just a fun surprise that reinforces how close you are to nature. There was a pair of suni antelopes that lived just outside our banda. They were so precious and peaceful to observe.

The food was outstanding. I am an avid cook, so it was especially fun that chef Simon and sous chef Brendan took time to speak with me about the meals and described how they prepared them in great detail. My favorite meals were a beautiful stuffed red snapper, with shrimp, spinach and salsa, and this gorgeous lobster that was prepared especially for me instead of beer-battered fish. The entire staff here was really accomodating to my gluten allergy, which is such a relief. It can be a drag on your vacation if you end up feeling sick because of an allergy. This is truly like having your own personal chef, who is happy to make you whatever you feel like, from the freshest, most delicious ingredients.

We took full advantage of the snorkeling and diving with Marie and Matt. Marie is like a ray of sunshine - she took us out on most of our snorkeling trips and was friendly, patient, and attentive. She always made sure that we were safe, enjoying ourselves and not overly tired. We would go out for snorkels of about an hour each time, which is nearly all swim time as it takes nearly no time at all to get to the reef from the island. My husband also took an introductory SCUBA course with Matt, which he loved. Any dives or snorkels you take are on your own time, at your convenience, and completely private. Of course, others can join if you'd like, but the experience seems especially luxurious and tailored-to-you since you can go at nearly anytime you want, with whomever you want.

You can be as social or as private as you like. We enjoyed time together, either on the beach in front of our banda or playing board games in our "living room", but we also went to the main dining area before dinner to socialize over drinks and appetizers. Ruth, an assistant GM at the property, was especially kind, helpful and charming. We enjoyed our conversations with her over the course of our stay.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this truly remarkable, exceptional place. It was the most romantic trip I've ever had, and the staff went out of their way to make it special for us, including a private dinner in front of our banda on our final night, and a beautiful sunset boat ride in a traditional boat. I loved every minute and sincerely hope we can return one day. I would go back tomorrow if I could!