Laba Fanjove Island
Laba Fanjove Is A Private Island Situated Some 20 Miles Off The Tanzania Mainland
Laba Fanjove is situated on Fanjove island, part of the Songo Songo Archipelago and is an exclusive, remote island retreat. The style is elegant barefoot luxury and with a very exclusive and almost wilderness feel. The villas are beautifully designed, hospitality top notch and food excellent. The island is stunning and you could quite easily just choose to relax on the beach or in your villa, take a few spa treatments and a spot of yoga; but the property has also introduced a whole range of innovative and tailored experiences from electric jet skis and e-foils to gourmet private picnics, so there’s definitely plenty to occupy those who like to be more active. There are few private islands in Africa and Fanjove is an ideal destination for people looking for a beautiful and remote beach escape. It does take some getting to – a flight from Dar es Salaam followed by a boat transfer – but once you’ve arrived on this remote island idyll you’ll agree it’s worth the extra effort!
Rooms
Laba Fanjove offers accommodation in 20 villas, all designed with a feel of understated luxury and built with local materials. There are 12 one bedroom Beach Villas and two Family Beach Villas (with a master bedroom and a smaller twin bedroom with smaller bathroom) which all have direct access to the beach on the east side of the island. There are two Coral Villas which are identical to the Beach Villas but with no direct access to the beach – they are on the west side of the island and overlook coral rocks with access down to the sea by stairs. The Coral Manor has the same aspect as the Coral Villas and is a private villa with a central lounge and two en suite bedrooms (each with shower and separate bath). The Coral Manor also has a shaded sundeck built over the sea with sun loungers and access into the water via steps. Lastly, ‘Villa 16’ is a one bedroom villa and is also on the west of the island but has access to a stretch of beach at low tide. All villas are built under thatch with an open-sided lounge area to the front furnished with a sofa and twin hammock. Bathrooms include double vanity and indoor and outdoor shower. Each room also includes a minibar, hairdryer, safe, mosquito nets over the bed and ceiling fans. From June 2027 there will be four Sunset Villas and a private villa called Sand Manor. The Sunset Villas will be the same design as the Beach Villas but will face in a more westerly direction, positioned directly on the beachfront and close to the main areas. Sand Manor will be located at the northern tip of the island offering complete privacy and will comprise a central open plan dining and lounge space, off which leads two spacious master en suite bedrooms (each with a bath tub and both indoor and outdoor showers). There is a private pool, outdoor dining space and beachfront lounge. Further along the beach are two additional, smaller rooms which can be used for larger parties. Sand Manor comes with a private chef and its own kitchen.
Central Areas
Shared areas include a guest lounge and restaurant. The iconic 19th century Fanjove lighthouse has been restored and now houses the signature restaurant. There is also a guest gym, spa and kid’s club.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – No
Habitat and Wildlife
Fanjove Island is a private island situated around 20 miles off the southern Tanzania mainland and is the smallest of the six islands in the Songo Songo Archipelago. This sand and coral island is only 1km long and about 400 metres wide, featuring palm trees, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
The 11kms of coral reef offer stunning marine landscapes of underwater pinnacles and gardens of cabbage coral. The waters are rich with tropical fish including puffer fish and parrot fish, while spinner and bottlenose Dolphins can frequently be spotted. The island teems with seabirds and is also a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles. Between November and March migratory birds visit.
Activities
While island walks are a great way to explore the land (the island is around one kilometre in length and only 400 meters wide), the water is easily explored with swimming and snorkelling straight off the beach, together with kayas, SUPs (including transparent paddle boards) and wing foil. Sunset dhow cruises and marine safaris with dolphin spotting are some of the other activities offered and included. Scheduled yoga classes are included each morning (private classes are available at extra cost).
There is also a wide range of other activities available at extra cost:
Those keen on watersports will be delighted with the range of ‘toys’ available for adventures on the sea including kite surfing (including instruction), electronic jet skis, hydrofoil water bike, underwater scooter, Hobie pedalboard (stand up paddleboard with a pedal-drive system), efoils, jet surf board, and wakeboarding. Diving and fishing can be arranged through the on-site PADI dive centre and whale watching boat trips (in season from approximately July to October) can also be arranged. It is possible to take a guided visit to the archaeological site of Kilwa Kisiwani which is a UNESCO World Heritage site located around 55kms south of Fanjove. The excursion includes a 90 minute boat trip to the site, a tour in the morning, followed by lunch on the beach or a sandbank and returns to Fanjove in the early afternoon. The excursion should be booked and paid for locally and is subject to weather conditions. It is also possible to book the ‘Secret Paradise’ gourmet experience where you’re taken to the tip of the island for cocktails, canapes, seafood or fish of the day and desert set under a private shaded canopy lounge and dining area (bookable locally only, subject to weather conditions).
Seasons
Laba Fanjove is open from June until mid March. June to October tend to be drier months with pleasantly warm days, while November to March can experience rain and the temperatures are hot and humid.
Children of all ages are welcome and the Family Beach Villas are ideal, although an extra bed for one child can be added to all villas. There is a kids’ club open daily from 10am until 9pm (for children aged 2-12 years). Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted to dine in the lighthouse restaurant, and so families can have all their meals in the main area, and dinner can be served on the beach. Children can also have their meals at the kids’ club or in the villa. Babysitting can be arranged at extra cost.
Laba Laba dedicates 30% of their profits to conservation and humanitarian programmes in Tanzania, with particular attention to children living with disabilities, in addition to conservation efforts in the areas they operate.
At Fanjove Island Laba Laba is also involved with marine conservation and community governance with initiatives including an agreement with local fishermen and strict coastal protection. Octopus fishing, once practiced daily, is now limited to three days per month – this has resulted in a four fold increase in annual catch and full regeneration of the lagoon waters. Fishing, meanwhile, is completely prohibited within a 600-metre radius around the island’s shores to restore the coral reef.
Laba Laba is also currently in the process of developing a fully protected marine area around Fanjove Island, the objective of which is to designate the lagoon and surrounding waters as the largest fully protected marine area in East Africa. In exchange for this enhanced protection, support measures are being sought for the local fishing communities of Songo Songo.
