Location: Shungimbili Island, District of Mafia Island, Tanzania
Overview
16 miles off the coast of Tanzania, on 5.5 hectares of tropical paradise, sits Thanda Island Villa, within Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Reserve, opposite the Rufiji River Delta, and the Nyerere National Park. Located between the mainland and Mafia Island. (The name ‘Mafia’ is derived from the Arabic morfiyeh, meaning group or archipelago, and from the Swahili mahali pa afya, meaning a healthy dwelling-place.)
Thanda Island is 7 degrees south of the equator and in the East African Time Zone, one to two hours ahead of the Central European Time Zone. It is surrounded by coral reefs, which protect the Island from massive waves and heavy seas. Started with a dream to find a small, remote, uninhabited Tropical Island off the coast of East Africa, now one of the world’s most exclusive island getaways, a paradise for complete privacy with family and friends.
A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional Bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania. Situated in your own marine reserve, you can swim with the gentlest giant of the ocean, the whale shark, and watch sea turtles nesting. Here, you can rest, rejuvenate and enjoy adventure sports in a world where shades of turquoise infuse your days and tropical spices your nights.
To get to Thanda Island, you fly directly to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. On landing at Dar es Salaam the Thanda Island team will meet you and accompany you through customs, ensuring a smooth, quick entry into this beautiful country.
There are several options for the transfer to Thanda Island, including a helicopter transfer directly to the Island which takes 45 minutes, or a 30-minute fixed-wing transfer in an 8 or 12-seat plane to Kilindoni and then a short boat ride of approximately 30-minutes to the island.
Uniqueness of this Camp
- Thanda Island’s exuberantly decorated 5-suite villa, located in its own marine reserve, is the pinnacle of tropical luxury accommodation.
- A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional Bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania.
- A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional Bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania.
Accommodation
Exclusively yours to enjoy, it’s your home, with a paradise-inspired living area and five exquisite bedroom suites that lead directly onto the beach. On the other side of the Island, the additional Bandas or Beach Chalets, for exclusive use, are built on the warm silken sands and offer a very traditional Tanzanian experience.
1 Villa – five en-suite bedrooms are air-conditioned with king-size beds, If required, additional beds for children can be set up in bedroom suites or the library, Fans, Air Con, Mosquito Nets, Outdoor Bath, Indoor Shower, Outdoor Shower, In Room Safe, Laundry.
2 Bandas – 2 Suites each, the gorgeous double-story Bandas offer different, unique luxury accommodations on the beach. They are air-conditioned and built to suit your every need while preserving their distinctive island atmosphere, Credit Card, Wi-Fi, Electricity 220V, Extra Beds, Natural ventilation – No fans needed except on request, Air Con, Mosquito Nets, Indoor Shower, Minibar, In-room Safe, Wi-Fi, Laundry.
Amenities
Villa Amenities:
Credit Cards facility, Mobile Reception, Wi-Fi, Electricity, Extra beds on request for children, outdoor pool and living area, indoor aquarium, a variety of musical instruments, a magnificent wine collection, a glass rim-flow swimming pool, an air-conditioned gym.
A library with an extensive Ernest Hemingway book collection, and a wraparound dining area with a 180-degree view of the ocean, Dining: Breakfasts on the beach, romantic evenings and bonfires, picnics on a sandbank in the ocean or on a neighboring island, and spicy Tanzanian cuisine, Pizza-making on our private island resort is part of the entertainment.
Activities
Water activities: range of water and marine sports. Our 36-foot adventure yacht Sazi, our 28-foot reef runner, deep-sea fishing cat, Real Magic, and our 34-foot, Cobalt motor cruiser, Island Princess, are all at your disposal. Our dependable captain and crew have taken command of all three vessels, Sailing, Paddling, Kayaking, jet-skis, or go wakeboarding behind our speedboat.
Accredited 5-star dive partner at Chole Bay on nearby Mafia Island, Mafia Island Marine Park is the largest marine protected area in the Indian Ocean, with snorkeling adventures. Game Fishing, Swimming with Whale Sharks, Cruise around Thanda Island and the surrounding islands in Thanda’s boat. Ride the trade winds on a traditional Arab dhow; indulge in a Swahili or Arabian feast; have a massage or copper bath on the beach
Music, yoga, spa treatments, and time out at our magnificent rim-flow pool, Thanda Villa Gym, walking and jogging on the beach, and exploring the Thanda luxury island, The Special Thanda Island Egret Walk, tennis or volleyball, Chole Island Tour, Dancing in the moonlight under African skies
Explore Dar es Salaam, Visit the Legendary Spice Island of Zanzibar, sail you over to Mafia for a day’s exploration of the Eleventh Century ruins, visit the village communities, Visit Juani Island channel with its azure waters, The Spa – signature massages, facials, and body treatments, Yoga, Meditation and Reiki.