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An update from Evaneos
Matemwe

Matemwe (Tanzania)

Practical information about Matemwe

  • Romantic
  • Beach / Seaside Resort
4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
3 hours from Stone Town by car
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
2 to 3 days

Reviews of Matemwe

Camille Griffoulieres Travel writer
116 travel articles

Matemwe is a village north-east of the island of Zanzibar known for its luxurious hotels. It is located opposite the Mnemba island.

My suggestion:
Visit Mnemba Island from Matemwe, it's the cheapest way as it's the closest. 
Summary:

I thought that the Matemwe beach was magnificent, opposite the island of Mnemba, and honestly all the hotels in the area are exceptional, at high prices (as they can!). 

The disadvantage of this luxurious tourism is that people go out very little in the village, which is also very conservative (you must go out with arms and legs covered). There is a lack of interaction between these two worlds which live together without communicating. I have the impression that the local communities don't benefit from tourism and that tourists don't discover the local way of life. 

I went on a tour with a young local who spoke English pretty well, and who explained the rural life of the village to us. He took us to the fish market on the beach, it was very interesting. You can see children hitting octopuses on the sand with sticks to tenderise them, and there is a manager who deals with bids to sell the lots of freshly caught fish. 

Traditional fishing boat on Mnemba Island
CHRISTINE CAPPELLE Traveller
Summary:
From the historic Stone town we arrive to another side of the island. Arrived at the Zanzibar Magic hotel we where received with a warm welcome in the well decorated rooms with beautiful view on the beach. A day of rest, a day of snorkeling and enjoying the swimming pool at the hotel made us fully relaxed.