Kisiwa on the Beach
Kisiwa On The Beach Is A Mid-Sized Hotel Located South Of Paje On Zanzibar’s Southeast Coast.
Kisiwa on the Beach is a very comfortable and good value hotel on a lovely long stretch of white sandy beach, close to the village of Paje which is well-known for its kite-surfing. The hotel has a pretty setting, tucked beneath palm trees with plenty of green space. The villa-style rooms are simply furnished, but spotless, spacious and light and airy. There’s a lovely pool which is perfect for relaxing. Kisiwa exudes a very relaxed atmosphere without being rustic and is perfect for those looking for a sensibly priced, smaller, quiet hotel, with the option of water sports close by if you want them.
Rooms
Accommodation is offered in 22 villas either set amongst the tropical grounds, or on the beach front. Villas are light and airy and have a shaded verandah and all include air-conditioning, ceiling fans, TV, room safe and hair dryer. En suite bathrooms include shower and separate bath. The 17 Luxury Villas are located with garden views, with Starehe Luxury Villas (some of which interconnect) being furthest away from the beach and Raha Luxury Villas being further towards the beach. There are two Bahari Grand Pool Villas which are larger and can accommodate up to two adults and one child and have private pools. The three Bahari Beachfront Pool Villas are the most spacious and feature a sitting area and dressing room, as well as a private pool and are the closest to the beach.
Central Areas
There is a thatched, open sided dining area and bar, a spa and lovely swimming pool which is perfect for when the tide is out.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – Yes
Habitat and Wildlife
Zanzibar’s, or more correctly Unguja’s (Zanzibar is the name of the archipelago which includes both Pemba and Unguja islands), history dates back more than 2000 years when the islands traded with ships from Persia, Arabia and India. From about the 10th century, groups of immigrants from Shiraz (Persia) settled on the island and mixed with the local people. In the 16th century, the Portuguese established a trading station before being ousted by Omani Arabs a couple of centuries later. In 1840, the Sultan Said moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar with the Omani Arabs forming an elite group of landlords and rulers. Indian settlers formed a merchant class and the island became an important centre of regional politics and the focus of the slave trade.
In 1890, Zanzibar became a British protectorate before gaining independence in 1963. In 1964, the Sultan was overthrown and nearly all Arabs and Indians expelled. Later that year, Zanzibar and Tanganyika combined to form Tanzania. Since then, many of the expelled peoples have returned.
In Zanzibar’s Stone Town (the old quarter and a UNESCO World Heritage site), a fascinating maze of narrow streets and alleyways lead past numerous old houses, mosques, ornate palaces, shops and bazaars reflecting the various influences through the ages – Arab, Persian, Indian and European. Many of the buildings date back to the 19th century and depict the wealth of its builder. Arab houses have plain outer walls with large doors leading to an inner courtyard. Conversely, Indian houses have a more open facade and large balconies with railings and balustrades. Take the chance to savour the atmosphere by dining at one of the rooftop restaurants.
The area outside the Stone Town is called Michenzani (New City), a failed attempt at becoming a modern city.
Depending on where you are staying on the island, there are a number of interesting excursions to consider. Visit a Spice Plantation, take a trip to the Jozani Forest (southern part of the island) where the rare red colobus monkey is found or visit Chumbe Island Coral Park (either as a day trip from Stone Town or overnight). Sundowner trips by traditional sailing dhow are available out of Stone Town. Due to environmental concerns, we no longer recommend swimming with dolphins.
Please remember that Zanzibar, like much of the East African coastline, has a strong Islamic culture, and that you should dress appropriately when in public areas and the Stone Town. During the month of Ramadan, further courtesy should be shown to those observing their faith, particularly in respect to service which you may find slower than usual.
The best beaches on the island are those found on the north and east coasts. However, please note that there are large tidal movements and sea swimming from most beaches during low tide is difficult. The best snorkelling is found around the Mnemba and Chumbe islands, but snorkelling is available along the length of the east coast where it is usually necessary to go out by boat to enjoy the best locations.
Like most of East Africa, the islands are affected by the monsoon winds – the Kuzi (or sometimes Kisi) which blows from April to September/October is a south-easterly which brings choppy sea conditions and seaweed to the shorelines, whereas the Kaskasi blows from the north-east from October/November to March producing calmer seas and slightly higher temperatures.
Activities
Watersports can all be arranged locally and Paje is particularly known for its kite-surfing centre which is adjacent to the hotel. Please note that due to the tidal nature of Zanzibar, at low tide the water recedes very far and it is not possible to swim from the beach.
Seasons
Kisiwa on the beach is open year round, though Zanzibar is best avoided during the main rainy season in April and May.
Children of all ages are welcome and all rooms and villas can accommodate one child on an extra bed, and some rooms interconnect. However, there is no family-specific accommodation. There are also no family-focused facilities (apart from cots and highchairs which are provided) or activities so those with younger children may prefer a beach resort where the whole family can sleep in one room/connected rooms and that has dedicated children’s services.
Kisiwa is committed to continuously improving their sustainability practices and contributing positively to both the environment and the local community. Along with energy efficiency, water and waste management policies, they prioritise sourcing fresh produce, seafood, and other supplies locally to support the local economy and reduce their environmental footprint.
At Kisiwa on the Beach, they maintain an on-site plant nursery dedicated to cultivating a variety of local plants and trees. This supports their landscaping needs while promoting indigenous species, enhancing biodiversity, and contributing to ongoing greening and conservation efforts within the property.
A significant percentage Kisiwa’s team members are hired from the surrounding communities, supporting local livelihoods and skills development. They invest in ongoing training programs to empower staff and enhance career growth opportunities. Kisiwa also collaborates with local artisans, suppliers, and service providers, helping to sustain small businesses within the community.
