Manta Resort
Manta Resort Is Located On The North-Western Tip Of The Unspoled Island Of Pemba On The Zanzibar Archipelago.
Manta Resort has a wonderful, secluded location on the edge of a forest on the northwest coast of the remote Pemba Island. The Resort is not about five star luxury, but prides itself in its serenity, a close to nature experience and warm hospitality. The small resort boasts wonderful ocean views and has a stunning stretch of white sandy beach lapped by turquoise water. Pemba offers spectacular diving and snorkelling while the resort’s ‘Underwater Room’ offers a unique below-water sleepout!
Rooms
Accommodation is provided in a variety of room categories which include four Standard Garden Rooms, four Superior Garden Rooms, six Seafront Villas, one Seafront Double Villa and two Oceanview Villas, as well as their renowned Underwater Room. All rooms are built of stone under makuti thatch.
The Standard Garden Rooms are located at the back of the resort in a beautifully designed shared garden. They include a four-poster king size bed, en-suite open plan bathroom with shower, basin and toilet, and private garden with outdoor shower.
Two pairs of rooms make up the Superior Garden Rooms, which are located behind the Sea Front Villas with views through the foliage towards the sea. Each pair of rooms has an inter-connecting door, making them ideal for families. These rooms are larger than the standard rooms with indoor sitting area. Like the standard rooms, they have a private garden with outdoor shower.
The Seafront Villas are very spacious with lovely views and sunset facing sun terraces. The rooms are simple but comfortable with en suite facilities including twin basin, shower and toilet (this is the only room category with no outdoor shower). They each have a private balcony with plunge pool.
The Seafront Double Villa comprises two separate one bedroom en suite villas, each with their own private garden and connecting on to a shared central terrace with private pool, so perfect for friends and older families travelling together. An extra bed can be added to each bedroom, creating accommodation for up to six guests. They have a private path down to the beach.
The Oceanview Villas each comprise two large en suite bedrooms, a central dining, bar and lounge area and a private terrace with private pool. A private pathway leads down to the beach and a private beach ‘banda’ with comfortable sitting area, shower and bar fridge.
Evening Breeze cooling systems are installed in all rooms. On arrival, no matter what room you are in, you are assigned a ‘service fundi’ who is on hand throughout your stay assisting you with any of your requirements.
Central Areas
The central areas are also under Makuti thatch and include a spacious lounge area and bar, a dining area and terrace that overlooks the Pemba Channel. Beneath the central area is the pool where steps lead down to the beach lounge with a second bar – the perfect place to enjoy sundowners after a hard day on the beach!
Other facilities include the Kipepeo Spa which offers a good selection of treatments (one treatment per person per day is included in the accommodation rate).
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.
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.
With its rolling green hills and extensive clove plantations, Pemba remains far less developed than Zanzibar’s main island of Unguja, giving it a peaceful, untouched atmosphere. Its small villages and strong Swahili cultural traditions make it an appealing destination for travellers seeking authenticity and natural beauty.
On the land, Pemba has a number of endemic animal and plant species, owing to its remote location. A high number of the endemic species are found in the Ngezi Forest Reserve – one of the last fragments of natural forest left on the island. The reserve covers an area of 1,140 hectares, and endemic wildlife species include the Pemba flying fox (a large fruit eating bat), the Pemba Scops Owl and Pemba Vervet monkey and the Pemba Blue Duiker. There are two walking trails through the forest and a visitor centre.
Diving around Pemba Island is considered some of the best in the Indian Ocean, thanks to its untouched reefs and rich marine biodiversity. The island is surrounded by steep drop-offs, vibrant coral gardens, and strong currents that attract large marine life including barracuda, giant trevallies, Napoleon wrasse, giant groupers, turtles, barracuda and thousands of reef fish. Compared to other diving spots in Zanzibar, Pemba offers a more remote and less crowded experience. Combined with excellent visibility and dramatic coral formations, these features make diving in Pemba especially exciting and rewarding.
Activities
Snorkelling equipment, paddle boards and kayaks are available free of charge to explore the water from the shore. As a thank-you for supporting Manta’s conservation and community initiatives (see further details below), each guest enjoys a complimentary guided snorkel in Manta’s Marine Protected Area. For every snorkel, Manta donates $25 to their local conservation partners. One dhow sunset cruise is included for each stay and you can take a short walk to the local lighthouse just five minute’s from the resort where you’ll be guided by a local.
All other activities, boat trips and excursions are at extra cost. There is a 5 star PADI dive centre offering a range of activities including dive courses with one of their qualified dive instructors. Pemba is famed for its diving opportunities and there are several nearby sites. The ‘house’ reef also provides excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities. Inland excursions are also possible and include visiting a local village or school, an organic farm tour (no extra cost), lighthouse and Ngwezi Rainforest Tour. Further afield, you can take a tour of a spice farm, or visit the bustling capital city of Chake Chake.
Last, and by no means least, during your stay, you can book a night in the Underwater Room (extra cost, unless specified in your package). The room is moored some 250m off-shore and sits quietly above the reef where the abundant marine life has settled around the structure. This private floating ‘island’ includes three levels: at sea level is a ‘landing deck’ which includes a sitting and dining area, bar with fridge, and the bathroom facilities (a loo and a fresh water shower – please note that due to environmental reasons, no soaps can be used on board). Above this is a sun deck with sunbed – perfect for relaxing during the day, or star gazing in the evening. Below the surface is the bedroom, with glass windows providing almost 360 degree views out into the ocean. Solar energy provides the lighting and power, the bedroom is temperature controlled and you have warm water throughout your stay.
The room is booked for a 24 hour period and the experience starts with a two minute boat transfer from the mainland, an orientation of the room, followed by a light lunch. The afternoon can be spent at leisure – snorkels and fins are provided so you can swim or snorkel from the sea level deck, or simply enjoy floating on the ocean.
Seasons
Manta Resort is open from June until March. July to October are pleasantly warm and dry months to travel. Between November and March temperatures and humidity increase and rain can be experienced. The calmest sea conditions are found from September onwards, with stronger currents from June to August.
Children are welcome from the age of seven years (12 years for the Underwater Room). There are plenty of accommodation options for families from interleading rooms to two bedroom villas. Due to the laid back, remote nature of the resort, Manta will suit those travelling with older children who are looking for a more adventurous, active beach stay and particularly those with children who enjoy the water.
Manta Resort works in partnership with the Kwanini Foundation, an organisation that works with local communities and stakeholders to identify the most pressing needs and develop targeted programs and initiatives that address those needs. Their approach is community-led, to empower the people of Pemba Island to build sustainable and resilient communities through education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and marine protection.
All guests staying at Manta Resort pay an impact contribution which goes towards the projects operated by the Foundation.
Through the foundation’s marine protection programs, they promote sustainable fishing practices, protect the marine ecosystem, and ensure food security and economic stability for local communities. Their community engagement initiatives also help raise awareness of the importance of marine conservation and empower local communities to take action to protect their coastal ecosystems. Additionally, their education and healthcare programs benefit the entire community by improving access to education and healthcare, which are essential for the well-being of individuals and the community.
With the support of local communities and the government, in 2013 the foundation turned 1km of coastline into a no-take zone called the Kwanini Marine Conservation Area where all forms of fishing are prohibited. As fish populations have increased, the local fisherman have begun to see the value in setting aside small areas. The goal is now to create a series of similar protected areas in key locations along the east coast of Pemba, with the full cooperation of the local communities, government and tourism enterprises, focussing on areas with the most intact corals, the coral biodiversity hotspots and the fish nursery/breeding areas.
