Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

Our verdict

Karafuu is the east-coast resort we suggest when you want a big, green, traditional-style resort and still want to swim when the tide is out. On this coast the sea retreats a long way at low tide. Karafuu's answer is a 200 m path from its beach to a large natural pool in the lagoon, where the hotel says you can swim comfortably at low tide. It sits on the Michamvi peninsula, 50 minutes from the airport, with 166 rooms under makuti thatch, four pools (three with swim-up bars), a Kids Club for 3 to 10, a seafood restaurant on the beach and a 24-hour clinic. It's our second most-booked hotel in Zanzibar: more than 250 holidays since 2006, for couples, honeymooners, families and groups of friends alike. The trade-offs: the resort is spread over a slope above the beach, the hotel doesn't publish its meal plans, and the Kids Club stops at 10. For swimming straight off the beach at any tide, choose the north: Riu Jambo in Nungwi. For a quieter south-east resort with a huge pool, Reef & Beach at Jambiani.

Best for

  • swimming at low tide on the east coast, in the natural pool the hotel reaches by a 200 m path
  • families with children aged 3 to 10 (Kids Club 09:00 to 18:00)
  • groups of friends: about 1 in 5 of our Karafuu bookings were groups of three or more adults
  • a traditional Zanzibari feel: thatched buildings in big tropical gardens
  • couples who want a private pool: two Infinity Villas on the cliff, each with its own pool

At a glance

LocationEast coast, on the Michamvi peninsula
Airport transferAbout 50 minutes by road
Rooms166, under makuti thatch: garden, pool-view and Masai-pool rooms, cottages, junior suites, suites and villas
RestaurantsKijiji (buffet), Le Grand Bleu (seafood, on the beach), Bondeni Pizzamore, the Masai Village (traditional dinners), Paradice (gelato)
BarsSwim-up bars in three pools, the Zanzi…Bar cocktail and shisha lounge
PoolsFour: the Main, Masai and Bondeni pools (each with a swim-up bar) and the Thalasso pool at the spa
Low tideA 200 m path from the beach to a natural swimming pool
KidsKids Club, ages 3 to 10, 09:00 to 18:00; cots and high chairs
SpaOsis Spa, above the cliff, with sea-view treatment rooms
Also on site24-hour clinic run by Med Express, Wimbi Diving Center, tennis, padel, gym, electric carts

Which room to book

  • Couples: a Junior Suite (60 m², 26 of them). Every one faces the sea, on the beachfront under palms or on the cliff.
  • Honeymoons: an Infinity Villa (96 m², only 2). Each sits above the cliff with a private pool the length of the villa, and you check in at the villa itself. For a beachfront room with a living room and an outdoor shower, a Suite (94 m², 3 of them, up to 3 guests).
  • Families of three or four: a Junior Suite takes up to 4. The Pool View Rooms (48 m²) are in the Bondeni area by the pool and pizzeria, or in the Masai-style block by the Masai Pool.
  • Value: a Deluxe Garden View Room (46 of them), at the top of the slope in the gardens, or a Cottage (40 of them), in the second row behind the junior suites with a partial sea view through the palms.
  • Big families or two families together: a Seafront Villa (245 m², 2 of them): four bedrooms with their own bathrooms, a living room and a private pool, for up to 8.

Children

  • Kids Club: for children aged 3 to 10, open 09:00 to 18:00.
  • Babies: cots on request and high chairs in the restaurants. There are no prams to borrow, so bring your own.
  • Restaurants and bars are all child-friendly, says the hotel.
  • The natural pool gives children somewhere to swim in the sea at low tide, and there are four pools.
  • Over 10: there's no teens club. Tennis, padel, beach volleyball, table tennis, table soccer and the weekly shows keep older children busy.
  • Our view: about 1 in 5 of our Karafuu bookings were families. For RIU Land and the north's tides, compare Riu Jambo.

Meal plans

The hotel doesn't publish its meal plans or what each includes. Our current Karafuu package is half board (breakfast and dinner). We confirm with the hotel which other plans are available for your dates, and what each covers, before we quote.

What we can say:

  • Dinner choices: the Kijiji buffet with an evening show, Le Grand Bleu for seafood on the beach, Pizzamore by the Bondeni pool, and traditional Swahili and Masai dinners at the Masai Village. Whether the à la carte restaurants are included on your plan is one of the things we confirm.
  • Free: Wi-Fi, tennis, the gym, beach volleyball, pétanque, table tennis and the weekly entertainment.
  • Paid: diving, the spa, excursions and early check-in.
  • Dress code: no swimwear or bare feet in the restaurants.

Restaurants

Restaurants:

  • Kijiji: the main restaurant, with international buffets and an evening show, looking over the ocean.
  • Le Grand Bleu: à la carte seafood on the beach, cooked by Italian chefs.
  • Bondeni Pizzamore: pizza by the Bondeni pool, for lunch and dinner.
  • The Masai Village: traditional Swahili and Masai dinners with performances, by the Masai Pool.
  • Paradice: Italian gelato made with tropical fruit.

Bars:

  • Swim-up bars in the Main, Masai and Bondeni pools, with stools under the water;
  • Zanzi…Bar, a cocktail bar and shisha lounge on a veranda over the ocean.

Much of the produce comes from the resort's own one-hectare organic vegetable garden.

Honest downsides

  • The tide still rules the beach. At low tide the sea goes out a long way on this coast. The natural pool is a 200 m walk from the beach. For swimming straight off the sand at any hour, choose the north: Riu Jambo or Riu Palace Zanzibar.
  • Meal plans aren't published. We confirm what's included before you book.
  • A big, sloping site. The rooms are spread over a slope above the beach, and the hotel runs electric carts to get around. Garden rooms are at the top.
  • Kids Club only to age 10, and no teens club.
  • A dress code at meals: no swimwear or bare feet.
  • Diving, the spa and excursions are paid.

Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa holiday packages

Packages from R18,883 per person, including flights from Johannesburg (prices checked 15 Nov 2026).

R500 off your holiday when you book with us by 31 December 2026.

Get a quote for Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim at low tide at Karafuu?

Yes, in the natural pool. On Zanzibar's east coast the sea goes out a long way at low tide, so Karafuu has a 200 m path from its beach to a large natural pool where, the hotel says, you can swim comfortably when the tide is out. At high tide you swim straight off the beach.

Where is Karafuu Beach Resort?

On Zanzibar's east coast, on the Michamvi peninsula, about 50 minutes by road from the airport.

Is Karafuu good for families?

Yes, for children aged 3 to 10: the Kids Club runs from 09:00 to 18:00, there are four pools, and the restaurants are child-friendly. A Junior Suite takes up to 4, and a Seafront Villa up to 8. There's no teens club.

Is Karafuu all-inclusive?

The hotel doesn't publish its meal plans. Our current Karafuu package is half board. We check which plans are available for your dates and what each includes before we quote.

Which is the best room at Karafuu for a honeymoon?

An Infinity Villa: there are only two, above the cliff, each with a private pool the length of the villa and its own check-in. A beachfront Junior Suite is the less expensive choice, with a sea view from the veranda.

Karafuu or the north of Zanzibar: which is better?

Choose Karafuu for a large, thatched resort with gardens, four pools and a natural pool for low tide. Choose Nungwi in the north if you want to swim straight off the beach at any time of day.

How much does a Karafuu holiday cost from South Africa?

Packages from R18,883 per person, including flights from Johannesburg (prices checked 15 Nov 2026). We quote flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, transfers, your room and meal plan in one price.

From our clients

Exotic Vacations clients have booked Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa more than 250 times since 2006. Of those trips, 20% were families with children and 60% were couples. About 20% were honeymoons. The typical stay was 7 nights, and the most popular months were April, December and June.

★★★★★

Hi Salome,

Just wanted to let you know the holiday was fantastic everything was well arranged from the pick up to drop off. Hotel staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Venue was exceptional and service was phenomal.

Thank you for your effort and time. And I most definitely will use you guys again going forward.

Kind regards,
Shane

Shane M., September 2018, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hi Salome
We leave for home on Saturday. Just want you to know our holiday has been wonderful. Karafuu has been marvelous. The staff. The food. The accommodation. We have a garden suite! There was a palm and floral thingy around our door on arrival, as well as wine and fruit for us. We have had cooler weather though, believe it or not. I had a jersey on to dinner most evenings. Our only gripes are silly ones - like more than AlJazeera news would be great! (I know you're saying "but you're on a beach vacation" - we like to watch the news!) We went to Stone Town which I loved. Kevan not so much! And I must tell you what excellent service we got from Jefferson and his company. Collected with a smile and cold hand towels and bottles of ice cold water. And his driver who took us to Stone town on Sunday was super knowledgeable, helpful and courteous.
Thank you Salome. And here's to hoping for a return visit soon.
Megan.

Megan O., July 2016, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Dear Salome,

I would like to thank you so very much for all you did to organise our trip to Zanzibar.

It was THE MOST FANTASTIC holiday EVER.

Our whole family from 4 year old Kelsey to Tim at 73 had a ball.

The hotel was wonderful, clean, spacious and so welcoming. The views were mind blowingly beautiful and the staff, each and everyone of them, welcomed us with huge smiles every day and looked after our every need.

The rooms were well appointed and clean and comfortable. We were so lucky to have three rooms next to each other and on the beach. The only very tiny fault we found was a lack of towel rails in the bathrooms.

We all loved every moment of our stay and were ALL very sad to have to leave. I just hope we can afford to go back again one day but if we cant we will always remember the best holiday ever and such a special 70th birthday celebration for me.

Mango airlines was on time, comfortable and a pleasure to fly with too so the whole package was one we will rave about to all our friends and we just hope that some of them may be able to do the trip too one day.

Thank you Salome.

Very best regards,

Robin F. and family

Robin F., September 2015, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hello Salome

We cannot sing the praises of Karafuu highly enough.

This resort was our best so far and we will definitely return to it.

It was really excellent. The rooms were great - we had ordinary garden rooms, but they looked out directly onto the Bondeni area pool. The service was attentive, helpful and friendly. The food was plentiful, excellent, varied and so beautifully presented each evening. We ate at the Italian restaurant and the Bondeni a la carte as well.

The pool area is lovely, the service at the pool bar was good and the snorkelling was great. (I snorkelled every day!) The gym is modern with good equipment and an attendant on duty every day. (Not that I went near the gym, Kevan is the gym user, and having a gym on site was important to him). The spa is beautiful. Its ladies very professional.

All in all it was truly a fabulous week away. I plan to place a review onto TripAdvisor telling all about Karafuu.

So, thank you very much. The only downer was the damn non-direct flight and having to go via Dar. Direct next time, for sure.

Jefferson, our transfer agent was, as always, professional, knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. He is an added star to your team.

Kind regards
Megan O.

Megan O., January 2015, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★☆

Hello Salome

I just want to say thank you for the holiday, all was well, except the drinks for the all inclusive was very limited, but the food was great. Hotel was also great. Though they could work on creating a smoking section and not allow smoking everywhere.

All in all, the trip was great, thank you.

Regards
Nana O.

Nana O., January 2015, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

More reviews (17)

★★★★★

Hi Salome

I just wanted to let you know we are back from our holiday in Zanzibar and WOW, WOW what a wonderful holiday. Thank you so much for all your kind help with our booking.

Kind regards
Michel S.

Michel S., January 2015, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hallo Salome

Ons is terug van die wonderlikste vakansie in Zanzibar, baie baie dankie vir al die reëlings, die aanbevelings, die hele toer was ‘n grootse sukses.

Ons vervoer wat deur julle gereël is, was baie stiptelik, en baie vriendelik met ‘n baie opgewekte toergids
wat ons alles van die land vertel het, so ver ons gery het.

Karafuu is beslis die beste oord, met die pragtigste strand, die vriendelikste kelners en die lekkerste kos!
Freddie, Moses en Daddy staan beslis uit, hulle diens is onverbeterlik! Ons was in Stone Town, begelei deur Jusuf, ‘n baie knap en aangename toergids. Die speserytoer is beslis die moeite werd om tyd aan af te staan. Die locals is baie vriendelik, moet net nie foto’s neem van die vroue wat vroegoggend gaan kos soek in die poele nie. Ek sal beslis weer die land besoek, die mense se vreedsaamheid en vriendelikheid sal my altyd bybly.

Groete
Celda G. en gesin

Celda G., July 2014, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Dear Salome

Just wanted to say a big thank you for the way you organised our trip to Zanzibar at relatively short notice. Everything went so smoothly, we really appreciated it. And your prompt replies to emails are now legendary !

Our transfers with Salum were also excellent, what a great guy and an asset to your company.

And finally to say that Karafuu was excellent. We did manage to get a beachfront junior suite - thanks so much for putting in the request - and that really did make our holiday. Beatrice and the rest of the staff there are just fantastic, warm and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

We both would have no hesitation in recommending both you and exotic vacations to book through and Karafuu as a destination.

Thanks again
Kind Regards
Lisa & Fiona

Fiona D., June 2014, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★☆☆

Hi Salome,

Overall we had a truly lovely holiday and wish to thank you for your excellent service. Your company was a pleasure to deal with and we will certainly continue going forward for our next holiday’s!

Just some of our personal findings for our Zanzibar holiday.

The hotel was not in our view 5 or 4 star quality as we understand it in SA and for that we found the rates to be extremely overpriced even considering high season. We felt we overpaid by a high margin. The location was super though. Value for money is definitely more on the side of the normal season rates.

The food was also not the greatest. We understand, given our findings of the country, that it is very rural hence the choices and preparation of the food was sub-standard. Full board was not the best choice in hindsight as we were doing lots of excursions and hardly drank much either! They tried very hard though.

The staff were all extremely helpful and polite even given some of the language barriers.

The rooms were spacious and comfortable and we received the room I originally asked for – thank you very much.

The transfers were timeous and the the driver was extremely helpful and knowledge-able.

Thank you once again.
Fiona

Fiona H., January 2014, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

we had a wonderful time at Karafuu beach resort , we got married on valentines day, everything was arranged perfectly by Farida at the hotel , she was terrific !! staff are very helpful nothing too much trouble , the food was wonderful, we booked the all inclusive package Highly recomended as the drinks very pricey!! especially to us South Africans with our exchange rate at the moment .....resort itself excellent ! room spotlessly clean and facilities excellent, We have some wonderful memories to keep forever in our hearts
Edmund and Esther D.F.

Edmund D., February 2013, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hi Salome,

Die vakansie was uitstekend en ons het dit baie geniet, dit was net deksels warm gewees en nooit enigsins naby 25 grade Celsius soos wat mense voorspel het nie, dit was omtrent die hele tyd oor 30 en dan nog met die humiditeit was dit baie uitputtend.

Karafuu is 'n baie lekker plek met goeie diens. Die enigiste negatiewe ding van die Karafuu is dat met aandete was die diens bietjie stadig gewees, party aande was ons al besig met nagereg dan was daar nog steeds nie 'n waiter by ons om ons drinks order te neem nie, ander aande wag mens 30 min vir 'n bier... maar soos ek se, dis die enigste negatiewe ding. Die shows wat hulle na ete gehou het was cool en Maandagaand het ons saam met die Maasai gedans wat baie lekker was!

Als in ag geneem sal ek hierdie vakansie vir enigeen aanbeveel.

Theunis

Hi Salome

Ek wil ook graag vir jou baie dankie sê dat jy die Hotel en Zanzibar aanbeveel het – ons het a awesome tyd gehad en alles van die snorkel tot die aircon was wonderlikJ

Ek en Theunis het besluit dat ons sommer binne die volgende paar jaar weer daar ‘n draai sal maak.

PS: Baie dankie dat jy aanbeveel het dat ons met die all inclusive pakket moet gaan – anders sou daar nou twee baie arm pasgetroudes terug gekom het Suid Africa toeJ

Ons waardeer alles wat jy vir ons gedoen het.

Regards
Yolandi

Johannes T., April 2009, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★☆☆

hi Salmone
the resort was lovely and we enjoyed it. however air tanzania were a disaster we were delayed 1 hr in joburg followed by 4 hours in der es salam, arriving 5 hrs later than expected in zanzibar, we recovered from this, on the way home we were delayed 1 and half hours in a roasting small zanzibar airport followed by 4 more hrs in der es salam, where no one informed us what was happening and we only just made our london connection as we had only allowed 7 hrs btwn flights and to change terminals in jo burg and we recieved no assistance we are still no wiser as to the delay. i can say the service provided by exoctic vacations was excellent thank you

Mary O., September 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hello Salome

Sue and I got back on Saturday night and I just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic recommendation. I absolutely loved Karafuu – the service, the setting, the people, the food … it was a really special holiday.

Sue has the digital photos so as soon as she’s loaded these, I’ll definitely mail some to you.

Thanks again, it was a real pleasure doing business with someone as professional and knowledgeable as you.

Warm regards,

Chantelle

Chantelle K., July 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

What a graet hoineymoon! We had a great time and the Monsoon rain stayed away! The weather was great and our stay very enjoyable!Thank you to your staff and Karafuu Hotel, staff and management.

Ian O., May 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hi Salome, we had a fantastic time - thank you! We will most certainly not hesitate to book through you when we next book our holiday!

Thanks,

JENNY

Jennifer B., May 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Salome

Baie dankie vir jou al jou reelings. Ek moet se dit was baie goed georganiseerd en alles het klopdisselboom geloop. Ons het ongelukkig net met die vertrekslag 'n 4 ure vertraging gehad en het bitter baie laat in die oggend ure by die hotel aangekom. Nieteenstaande is Karafuu 'n pragtige plek met wonderlike mense en ons het elke oomblik terdee geniet.

Die dag toer na die sandbank toe (veral omdat dit op my verjaardag was) was ekstra spesiaal en sal seker by ons bo aan die top lys bly.

Eerste foto is van my en my man (sodat jy darem weet hoe mooi die mense is met wie jy gepraat het.. Ha ha) en sommer net 'n paar prag fotos wat ons geneem het om te se baie dankie vir al die reelings, dit was deur en deur die geld werd.

Ronel P., April 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

We had a fantastic time at Karafuu Resort and Hotel. Wonderful, friendly people. Weather was perfect and the place is more than beautiful.

It was everything I dreamed it would be and even more.

Matt and Ronel P.

Ronel P., April 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hi Salome,

Yes, what a wonderful holiday, though it did go very quickly.

The hotel was perfect and the staff very friendly.

Unfortunately it was the rainy season and we did have lots of rain. The only problem with the hotel was that they did not accommodate for different board games, activities, for these rainy days. Otherwise, very nice, no complaints.

I would like to thank you for your excellent service in assisting me to book my honeymoon vacation in Zanzibar.

Your efficient and speedy replies to my emails helped confirm my booking.

Thank you.
Regards,
Chris M.

Chris M., April 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hi Salome,

Hiers so paar fotos van ons trou dag en 2 van die swambad..

Dit was absoluut pragtig! Kon nie vir beter gevra het nie en ons trou dag (7de Junie) was net amazing! Was 'n ongelooflike vakansie en sooooo stres vry! Was meer opgewerk vir ons onthaal hier in Pretoria!

Sal weer deur julle bespreek, en dan vat ons ons ouers saam, vir 'n regte vakansie!

Dankie vir als,

Denise en Nico

Denise K., January 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

A perfect recommendation of resort from Salome. My sincere thanks to Salome for here efficiency and friendliness in arranging for the perfect vacation. The resort is equisite, the views, facilites and pampering submlime. The service is pure perfection, I could not have wished for a more relaxing vacation.

Leanne F., January 2008, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

Hi Heidi

Just wanted to drop a short note to you to let you know about the fantastic service I have had from Salome thus far.

I have been struggling for 2 weeks to sort out my honeymoon with various so called “Internet Travel Agents” with no success, Salome managed to get everything done and dusted within 1 day, Hotel, Flights, Passports, Insurance all sorted out. And when I had to change the itinerary at the last moment she did it gladly!

I know this sounds like just another complimentary email, but I really just want to get across that you guys have got the formula right and the right kind of people to fit that formula!

Fast, Efficient and Friendly!

I will be telling all my friends about your company and will definitely use you guys again when I recover from the financial drain of my wedding!

Regards

Richard

Richard W., October 2007, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★★

I had a fabulous vacation and your service was excellent. Everything was perfectly arranged and the service from Exotic was awesome! You guys really know your stuff!

Neelam R., June 2006, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa

Reviewed by Marthinus Strydom, CEO, Exotic Vacations, 14 Nov 2026.

Other resorts in Zanzibar