The Mora Zanzibar
5-star resort in Zanzibar.
Our verdict
The Mora is the five-star all-inclusive we suggest for families who want space and choice, and for couples who want a suite with a whirlpool or a private pool. It's at Muyuni Beach, Matemwe, at the north-east tip of Zanzibar, facing Mnemba Island, a marine conservation area five minutes away by boat. Every room is a suite, 250 of them over ten hectares of beachfront, with six pools, four restaurants, food at any hour of the day and night, a minibar included, and the Outliners kids club for 3 to 12 with trained nannies. The trade-offs: on this coast you plan your swims around the tide, the transfer is about an hour, and spa treatments, diving and motorised water sports are paid. For RIU Land and a beach where the tide matters least, Riu Jambo in Nungwi. For a smaller all-inclusive for couples, Diamonds Mapenzi at Kiwengwa.
Best for
- families: the Outliners kids club for 3 to 12, two-bedroom family suites and six pools
- five-star all-inclusive with food at any hour and a minibar included
- couples: suites with an in-room whirlpool or a private pool
- snorkelling and diving at Mnemba Island, five minutes by boat
- space: 250 suites over ten hectares
At a glance
| Category | 5-star |
|---|---|
| Location | Muyuni Beach, Matemwe, at the north-east tip of Zanzibar, facing Mnemba Island |
| Airport transfer | 56 km, about 60 minutes |
| Rooms | 250 suites, from Superior Junior Suites to two-bedroom family suites and private-pool suites |
| Meal plan | All-inclusive, with dining at any hour |
| Restaurants | Horizon (buffet and à la carte), Jikan (Asian fusion and teppanyaki), Jua Grill, Muyuni Beach Club |
| Bars | Mora Tempori, Eclipse Pool Bar, Garden Pool Bar, a gelato shop |
| Pools | Six, including an infinity pool, a garden pool, a shallow children's pool and a spa pool |
| Kids | Outliners Club, ages 3 to 12, with trained nannies and childcare |
| Spa | The Pause Spa, 09:00 to 21:00 (treatments paid); Technogym gym open 24 hours |
Which room to book
Every room at The Mora is a suite, with a balcony or terrace, a sofa bed and a minibar refilled daily at no charge.
- Couples: a Superior Junior Suite King Ocean View. The Garden View version costs less.
- More room: a Superior Suite King, with an ocean or garden view.
- Honeymoons: a Superior Suite King Ocean with Whirlpool, with a jacuzzi in the room facing the sea. Or an Executive Suite King Ocean View with private pool: a separate bedroom and living room, and a 6 by 3 m pool on your terrace.
- Families: a Two Bedroom Superior Family Suite, with an ocean or garden view.
- Two families or the top suite: the Two Bedroom Presidential Private Pool Suite, facing the ocean.
Children
- Outliners Club for ages 3 to 12, with "Family Experts", trained nannies and childcare, and play spaces open at any time.
- Activities: stargazing, local arts and crafts, and pool and beach sessions, plus an outdoor cinema and garden challenges for the whole family.
- Pools: a shallow pool for splashing with children, among six.
- Teens: group sport sessions are for ages 16 and over. There's no teens club.
- The spa has a kids' menu.
- Our view: the most complete kids offer of the five-star resorts we sell in Zanzibar. For a kids club split into two age groups and the north's tides, compare Riu Jambo.
Meal plans
The Mora is all-inclusive, built around "culinary freedom": breakfast, lunch and dinner across four restaurants, with all-day dining available at any hour.
What's included, says the hotel:
- food at any time of day or night, from the buffet and à la carte at Horizon to the grill, Asian fusion and the beach club;
- tea time with coffee and cakes at selected bars, and a gala dinner every Saturday;
- a minibar refilled daily at no extra charge, and tea and coffee in the suite;
- free activities: the gym, snorkelling equipment, group sport sessions (16 and over), live music, the outdoor cinema and pool and beach sessions.
What's paid:
- breakfast in your suite;
- the spa (sauna, massages, facials, manicures);
- personal training, motorised water sports, PADI diving and jet skis;
- guided nature walks and sunrise or sunset outings.
Room service runs around the clock, and vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free dishes are made on request.
Restaurants
Restaurants:
- Horizon: the main restaurant, buffet and à la carte, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with fish, meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes every day.
- Jikan: Asian fusion and teppanyaki, with live cooking, sushi and sashimi.
- Jua Grill: meat and vegetables grilled to order over open flames, with salads.
- Muyuni Beach Club: on the sand, Mediterranean, with seafood, pasta and pizza baked on a hot stone.
Bars:
- Mora Tempori: cocktails made with local botanicals, served wherever you'd like them;
- Eclipse Pool Bar, looking over the pools and the ocean;
- Garden Pool Bar, among the trees;
- a gelato shop with coffee.
Honest downsides
- The tide. On the north-east coast the sea goes out a long way at low tide, so you swim at high tide or in the six pools. For swimming whenever you like, the north is easier: Riu Jambo.
- About an hour from the airport (56 km).
- Breakfast in your suite is extra.
- The spa and motorised water sports cost extra. Snorkelling gear is free; diving at Mnemba is paid.
- Big. 250 suites, spread over ten hectares. If you'd rather a small resort, look at Diamonds Mapenzi.
- No teens club, and group sports start at 16.
The Mora Zanzibar holiday packages
Packages from R25,220 per person, including flights from Johannesburg (prices checked 15 Nov 2026).
R500 off your holiday when you book with us by 31 December 2026.
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The Mora, Zanzibar: 5 nights with flights from Johannesburg, from R25,220 pps
From R25,220 per person - 5 nights, in Zanzibar, flights included & transfers included.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Mora Zanzibar all-inclusive?
Yes. Meals across four restaurants, all-day dining at any hour, tea time, a Saturday gala dinner and a minibar refilled daily are included. Breakfast in your suite, the spa, diving and motorised water sports are extra.
Is The Mora good for families?
Yes. The Outliners Club takes ages 3 to 12, with trained nannies and childcare, and there are two-bedroom family suites, a shallow children's pool among six pools, and an outdoor cinema.
Where is The Mora Zanzibar?
At Muyuni Beach, Matemwe, at the north-east tip of Zanzibar, facing Mnemba Island. It's 56 km from the airport, about an hour by road.
Can you swim at low tide at The Mora?
On the north-east coast the sea goes out a long way at low tide, so you swim off the beach at high tide or use one of the six pools. If swimming at any hour matters most, we'd suggest Nungwi in the north.
Does The Mora have rooms with a private pool?
Yes. The Executive Suites have a 6 by 3 m private pool on the terrace, and there's a two-bedroom Presidential Suite with its own pool. Other suites have an in-room whirlpool facing the sea.
How far is Mnemba Island from The Mora?
About five minutes by boat. Mnemba is a marine conservation area and Zanzibar's best-known snorkelling and diving spot. Snorkelling equipment is free at the resort; diving trips are paid.
How much does a holiday at The Mora Zanzibar cost from South Africa?
Packages from R25,220 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.
Reviewed by Marthinus Strydom, CEO, Exotic Vacations, 14 Nov 2026.