Fumba Beach Lodge Gallery
Fumba Beach Lodge is a small scale, peaceful hideaway set on one of Zanzibar’s most secluded beaches. With only 26 free standing spacious cottages, the essence of Fumba Beach Lodge is privacy, space, relaxation, nature and attention to detail.
Fumba Beach Lodge offers well-designed elegance, with friendly first class service. At 30 minutes from Zanzibar’s capital, Stone Town, the lodge is far away from all the busy tourist areas. This is a perfect venue to enjoy the tranquility, and dream, swim, dive, walk amongst tropical gardens, or have a special romantic occasion in one of the many secluded spots. On the property we’ve created several private decks, veranda’s and little hide aways, to ensure a quiet and private environment for the ultimate romantic holiday.
The lodge is located on a the Fumba Beach peninsula, in the Menai Bay Conservation Area. This is both a large marine haven, and an eco-project. The Fumba peninsula is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty since 1998, by the World Wild Life Federation.
Fumba at a glance…
Fumba Beach Lodge is a small scale resort and offers only 26 spacious ensuite rooms. Twenty are deluxe ‘bandas’ with ensuite bathrooms, private terraces, stunning ocean and garden views, all suitable for families or couples. These are the so called Garden View Deluxe Rooms and the Sea View Deluxe Rooms. Four of our rooms are Luxury Suites, and finally there are two special Baobab Suites.
All of our rooms are privately located within walking distance from the main buildings.
All of them have king size double beds, tea/coffee making facilities, mosquito nets, room safes, in room libraries, desks, fans, top-quality bed linen and duvets for the very occasional chilly nights.
Our rooms can be booked with the following meal plans: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board (accommodation, breakfast and dinner) and Full Board (accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Our Heroes, the men and women in our kitchen, are renowned for the outstanding meals they serve to our Guests. We are using only the best ingredients which flourish under the African sun, such as: fresh herbs, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, cauliflower, eggplant, zucchini and carrots, and the most sun ripened succulent tomatoes you have ever tasted. Here on the Fumba Peninsula we have some of the most fertile soils on Zanzibar, giving us the most amazing, sweet, ripe tropical fruits: mangos, bananas, coconuts, jackfruits, passion fruit, and oranges.
Right on our doorstep from the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, our neighbors, the fisherman catch the most succulent tunas, snappers, barracuda’s, lobsters, prawns, and crabs. All of this fresh produce and seafood is delivered to us on a daily basis, and has been for many years now.
Always with a smile and a song our chefs start early in the morning chopping, grilling, baking, and cooking. Throughout the day, despite the searing heat of Africa, they provide us with one of the best meals on the island.
Zanzibar is synonymous with spices, brought to us by the wonderful women of Fumba Village who use them in their local dishes. Initially they showed us how to cook with spices and gave us inspiration for the mixture of African and Mediterranean cuisine that we provide, and in the process, gave us a respect for the ingredients.
We focus on elegant taste, combined with simple and clean presentations, to give you the best cuisine Zanzibar has to offer.
Fumba Beach Lodge is located only 30 minutes from Stone Town, and is therefore an ideal starting point for excursions and day trips. We offer a wild variety from guided tours, which can all be booked in advance or at the lodge reception. A few of our excursions are highlighted below.
Historic Stone Town
A view from the water of Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. A tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its many cultural, historical and architectural influences.
Travel back in time to historic Stone Town; as you wander amongst the souk-like alleys you will see a fusion of Omani, Persian, African and European cultures. Children peer from behind ornate carved studded teak doors; tread where explorers Livingstone, Speke and Burton once walked. From the ancient steady mosques to the tiny stalls selling crafts, antiques, clothes, bags, jewelry, sculptures, paintings and material…. Mingle in the markets weaving between piles of Zanzibar’s famous spices: cardamom, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, and of course cloves.
Our tour includes a visit to the town market, the old slave market, the National Museum, High Court, Slave Chambers, House of Wonders, Old Fort, Sultan’s Palace, Livingstone’s House and the Former English Gentleman’s Club.
Jozani Forest
The forest, 35km southeast of the capital Stone Town, is the island’s only remaining complete forest. With evergreen thickets, mangrove boardwalks, succulents and broadleaf varieties, the forest is a botanists delight. Jozani Forest has a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with a huge variety of wildlife in and around the forest. There are large troops of the rare endemic Red Colobus Monkeys (Procolobus Kirkii) one of the most endangered monkey species in the world.
Just down the road is the pioneering Zanzibar Butterfly Centre. Providing income for local farmers – who previously relied on mangoes and were over farming the forest- this small but delightful centre provides pupae to butterfly collectors globally. It generates valuable sustainable income for the farmers, and re-skills them. Next door is the Zala conservation park, a private conservation and education project, with details of the indigenous animals of the region. A small contribution is required on entrance to both places. The best times to visit are early morning or dusk, and the forest is at its most abundant between May- July and December – January.
Spice Tour
Zanzibar has always been an important trade location for Spices. Its location in the India Ocean was deemed ideal for the spice trade worldwide. The trade in spices between India, the Middle East, Africa and Europe became even more important to the economy of Zanzibar after the slave trade was made illegal.
Our spice tour will give you the chance to visit one or more spice farms growing a variety of key spices to Zanzibar such as Cloves, Chilli, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Pepper and Vanilla. You will learn about the uses of the different spices, their history on the island, how they grow and best of all be able to taste them. If you wish you will also be able to buy them direct from the farms.
While you will be taken right into the heart of the Island to the spice growing area, there is more to discover other than spices .During the tour you will also encounter a selection of tropical fruits and depending on the season try some of these such as the wonderful coconut with its refreshing milk and sweet flesh or the exotic Rambutan.
The spice tour guides will also teach you about the many other uses both cosmetic and medicinal for spices and herbs seen at the farms like the shampoo plant or the iodine plant.
Prison Island
Also known as Changuu Island, is situated only 20 minutes by boat from Stone Town. The Island was originally used as a Prison then later it was turned into a quarantine station for British Army. Although a newer prison was later built on the island it was never used.The Island has sandy beaches and is covered in lush vegetation making it prefect habit for Island and sea birds. The surrounding sea offers some lovely opportunities with beautiful coral formations.
The island is perfect for nature lovers.The Islands most famous inhabitants are the giant tortoises. These endangered animals are not native to Africa but to the Seychelles and Galapagos Island. Originally the Prison Island tortoises were brought from Aldabra in the Seychelles to help increase the conservation efforts by starting a new breeding population. Tortoise populations started to decline many years ago when sailors used to collect them to carry on the ships as a fresh protein source as the tortoises could survive many weeks or months without food. Unfortunately, these days the tortoise decline is due to habitat destruction and poaching.
Mangapwani Slave Caves
Zanzibar, with its strategic and geographic location East of Tanzania, has been receiving guests, invaders and traders for thousands of years. Since the abolition of the Slave Trade in the late 19th century (though it continued illegally for years after) clove export is at the heart of Zanzibar’s enterprise. The Mangapwani Slaves Chambers were used for storing hundred of slaves during the illegal period, awaiting the monsoon period and the arrival of the dhows to be shipped away from their homes. After visiting the caves you will have time to relax on the golden sands of the beach.
At Fumba we have our own spa and massage center, nestled between lush landscapes and protected by a majestic baobab tree. The ‘Baobab spa’ is designed to create an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility while you’re pampered.
The spa offers a wide range of services, from massages and body scrubs to facials and pedicures. We even offer romantic spa dinners with exclusive use of our Jacuzzi which is built on the baobab tree.
A sample of our treatments:
At Fumba Beach Lodge we have our own watersport center, for exclusive use of the guests. At the watersport center we offer a great range of activities, ranging from PADI Diving Courses to Kayak rental.
About the area
Tourists on sand bar in Menai Bay
Fumba Beach Lodge runs parallel to Ukombe Reef (our house reef and is 8k in length) on the Indian Ocean. After travelling on a traditional Zanzibari Dhow boat for a 20-25 min ride you may enjoy either the humpback dolphins or the bottlenose dolphins! Ukombe is an amazingly healthy abundant reef with a bottom depth of 15 to 18 metres, the top of the reef is only 3 to 5 metres below the surface and offers a variety of colourful reef fish.
The sea here has very generous macro life! Many species of nudibranches, leaf fish, frog fish, several types of scorpion and lion fish, clownfish, cowfish, boxfish, seahorses, pipe fish, banner fish, Moorish idols, butterfly fish, many species of wrasse and some parrot fish, coronet and trumpet fish, many types of eels including the ribbon eel, eel cat fish, garden eels, the blue spotted ray, torpedo ray and sting ray, up-side-down jelly fish and moon jellies, shrimps, crabs and lobsters…the list is endless!
The reef itself has the most beautiful leaf coral that looks like a rose garden, finger corals, elkhorn coral, table coral, many types of soft corals, mushroom coral, leather coral, sea wips and sea pens, anemones, gorgonian coral, barrel, fan, tube and finger sponges.
If you are here between August and October you may be lucky enough to see a humpback whale breach the water or jump entirely out of the sea! During that time as well you can often hear the humpback whales’ song beneath the surface, a moment you will not forget!
Activities offered:
Excursions (1/2 day) – includes snorkel equipment, towels, fresh fruit, sodas, water and in-water guide
Picnic Excursions (full day) – day begins with an hour long snorkel then off to a small island where the crew prepare a bbq lunch for your enjoyment while you are relaxing on the beach or lounging in the sea in pool like conditions, or snorkeling again. Very Robinson Caruso…straw mats! Our most popular excursion! Fantastic day on the sea!
Kayak Rental – (2 hours) – best to do when the tide is high! See the water sports centre for daily tide timing. Gently paddle along the shore to see birdlife, Fumba Village. Add a rental of some fins, snorkel and mask to stop along the mangroves and explore the underwater world for only 8 USD additionally.
Scuba Diving – Fun diving! For experienced divers we offer dive savings…the more you do the less per dive it costs. All of the dive packages below include all gear rental, fresh fruit, sodas, water, towels and a certified guide.
Scuba Diving Courses – For those of you that want to learn how to dive (please contact us for prices, eLearning instruction, and booking your spot with our PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer! We offer the following PADI courses:
Please note: We offer eLearning (online course instead of reading text) so that you may complete your Theory online in the comfort of your home prior to arrival. This way you can spend more time enjoying your surroundings and enjoy diving rather than be stuck in a classroom!
Wedding ceremony at Fumba Beach Lodge has been created for those couples who wish to celebrate their special day in tropical romance, simple yet elegant. While you relax and enjoy the serene surroundings, the lodge will arrange every detail of your wedding.
The ceremony takes place late afternoon on a deck overlooking the Menai Bay, under a tastefully decorated palm leave arch with fresh flowers from Fumba’s beautiful garden facing the turquoise tropics of the Indian Ocean, hosted by a local Pastor or the Regional Commissioner of Zanzibar.
After the “I Do’s”, a honeymoon surprise awaits you in your room, including an arrangement of canapés and sparkling wine. In the evening a private and intimate dinner will be arranged on the beach, under the starry skies of East Africa. After dinner a wedding cake, prepared by our own Chef, will be presented to you.
The following day you are invited for a private spa evening, where the two of you can relax with a delightful couples massage followed by a Jacuzzi session while enjoying a bottle of sparkling wine. Then indulge in a 4-course honeymoon meal, privately set up on the terrace in the spa next to the magnificent Baobab tree.
Or set off late morning at leisure for an exquisite private honeymoon snorkelling trip on one of Fumba‘s local dhows, sailing over the Menai Bay, visiting various snorkelling sites or the secluded beaches of the Komando islands. Enjoy a picnic lunch accompanied by a bottle of light crispy wine while floating over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
If you have any special wishes or ideas you are most welcome to share them with us. Almost anything is possible.
Next to Fumba Lodge is the Fumba Village; like the site of Fumba beach Lodge it was originally bush. The villagers helped us finding this remote area, and with their help the lodge was built. Some villagers are still employed by Fumba Lodge and the Sheha (chief) of the village regularly passes by to say hello.
Guests are welcome to take a stroll through the village by themselves or accompanied by Duma, A Rhodesian Ridgeback who has lived at the lodge since he was a puppy. Duma is regularly mistaken as the Guest relation manager with his particular attitude, confidence and friendliness!
Guests can ask at reception to be accompanied by one of the staff to show them around the village to experience the local culture and daily life.
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