Pamper yourself with onsite massages or enjoy the outdoor pool during your stay. Rejuvenate by getting a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast to start your day fresh.
Culinary Delights
Indulge in Latin American cuisine at the Marafiki restaurant or grab a cup of coffee at the cafe. Unwind with a drink at the bar/lounge or poolside bar in the evening for a perfect dining experience.
Convenience and Comfort
With free Wi-Fi access, tour/ticket assistance, and airport shuttle services, your stay is made convenient. Enjoy the comfort of air-conditioned rooms with private balconies and modern amenities at Marafiki Bungalows.
Book now to experience luxury and relaxation by the beach at Marafiki Bungalows!
✦HAPPI HIGHLIGHTS
✦
Excellent staff
✦
Beautiful hotel
At the hotel
Popular amenities
28 listed
24-hour front desk
Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
Billiards or pool table
Cave exploring/spelunking nearby
Children's games
Children's toys
Couples/private dining
Ecotours nearby
Free breakfast
Free cooked-to-order breakfast
View all amenities
Dining & drinks
Snack bar/deli
Fitness & outdoors
Garden
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Terrace
Safety & cleanliness
Smoke-free property
Getting around & access
Free self parking
Wheelchair accessible
Guest services
Luggage storage
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Tours/ticket assistance
Services & essentials
Free WiFi
Horse riding nearby
Infant/toddler toys
Library
Mosquito nets
Playground on site
Proposal/romance packages available
Snorkeling nearby
Review in focus
23 reviews
10/ 10
This is our all time favourite stay, beautiful gardens, lovely sea view, staff are exceptional. Everyone went out of their way to make our stay great. Food was excellent Felt like we were staying with a family. Perfect place to relax and enjoy. If u are looking for action and tons of activities then look elsewhere, this is a place to chill, so safe and they look after everything. U can get to places like Stonetown as rides are easily arranged by the hotel.
Ian · partner · 2025-10-11
The guest experience
9.2out of 10 23 verified reviews
Loved most
Excellent staff
Beautiful hotel
Worth knowing — Tidal sea view
How guests scored the stay
Service9.7
Staff were excellent.
Room Quality9.7
Lovely big rooms.
Amenities9.3
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Overall Experience9.3
Had a lovely and quiet experience.
Cleanliness9.2
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Value for Money9.2
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Food and Beverage9.2
Food was excellent.
Location8.2
The sea is tidal and not the prettiest.
Live guest feedback
Guest reviews
Consistent
95% of 20 recent stays rated 8+
9.223 reviews
Guest review
10/10
Ian · partner · 2025-10-11
“This is our all time favourite stay, beautiful gardens, lovely sea view, staff are exceptional. Everyone went out of their way to make our stay great. Food was excellent Felt like we were staying with a family. Perfect place to relax and enjoy. If u are looking for action and tons of activities then look elsewhere, this is a place to chill, so safe and they look after everything. U can get to places like Stonetown as rides are easily arranged by the hotel. ”
Guest review
8/10
Carol · friends · 2025-07-08
“It was a beautiful and quiet hotel. Staff and food were excellent, lovely big rooms. Shame the sea is tidal and not the prettiest but the hotel is lovely. ”
Guest review
8/10
Aaron Lamar · family · 2025-06-29
“My family was grateful for the last minute accommodations. The staff was pleasant and efficient in both checking in and out of the property. I know it was a necessity but the room had a heavy aroma of bug spray.”
Guest review
10/10
sari · friends · 2025-03-04
“Henkilökunta oli aivan mieletön. Ranta oli huono ja leväinen, mutta uima-allas hyvä.”
Trevligt litet och personligt hotell
10/10
Johan · 2025-03-02
“Trevligt litet boutiquehotell. God mat och bra service. Hela kusten har stor inverkan av tidvatten- bra att veta. Men fin pool finns. ”
Guest review
10/10
Florence · partner · 2024-12-13
“Nous avons passé un bon sejour dans cet établissement où le personnels sont d'une gentillesse et attention remarquable. Nous avons pu organiser des excursion avec laide de la réception et avec une très grande facilité. Le cadre est vraiment fait pour se ressoucer dans la tranquillité d'une bulle naturelle et verdoyante au bord de l'océan. Je le recommande vivement ”
Guest review
10/10
Herbert · 2024-10-29
“Amazingly quiet and peaceful. Exactly what I needed to unwind. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful in every way possible. I will return.”
Truly a hidden gem!
10/10
Pontus · 2024-10-12
“The pictures don’t do it justice - the surroundings are absolutely beautiful, the forresty vibe together with it being beautifully placed on the beach, as well as the rooms. 10 out of 10!
What should have even higher praised are the entire staff. So welcoming, so nice, incredibly keen on you having the best possible experience while visiting and giving you the space needed to just relax. 15 out of 10!
Food is great, rooms are great, their house cat Tiger is amazing, and the closeness to nature (seeing bush babies etc) just adds to the experience.
Highly recommend Marafiki for your visit. ”
Guest review
10/10
Clare · family · 2024-08-07
“If you are looking for a proper escape to a quiet paradise then look no further. The Marafiki bungalows are set in lush greenery with steps down to the sea. There is a lovely pool but no real sandy beach, though with swimming shoes, you can get down easily to swim when the tide is in. The restaurant is fantastic with a brilliant breakfast menu setting you up for the day and a wide variety of choices for the evening meal, all beautifully cooked. However what makes this place really special are the staff! Always willing to help and have a smile and "jambo" to greet you. From previous reviews I had thought that it might perhaps be quite couple orientated but actually there were several families so actually this place is perfect if you have kids and don't want the big resort vibe. It is a little removed from the main road so you can really feel quite secure and completely disconnected from everything. However, if you do want to do trips then Justina or Esther will happily organise everything for you. This really is a little haven of paradise. ”
Guest review
10/10
Rizwana · family · 2024-07-08
“Excellent property with lovely helpful staff on the beach.”
Guest review
10/10
Joanna Petrucelli · 2024-07-08
“I had an amazing stay at this resort. The place was amazing. I didn’t want to leave. The food was so delicious. Breakfast was amazing and the staff were great. I would stay here again in less than a heart beat.”
Guest review
10/10
Sascha · 2024-06-05
“Small resort with very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent food and very nice bungalows with african look & feel.”
Guest review
10/10
Casey · family · 2024-03-23
“Highly recommend the Marafiki Beach Hotel & Spa
In Zanzibar. Picturesque location on beautiful & luscious grounds with authentic sounds of nature, the feel of tranquility, and all your needs catered to by efficient & friendly staff.
On our 1st day there, we arrived late in the day and the kitchen stayed open just to serve us a hot meal.
Gorgeous Outdoor seating, which is always my preference, with bowls of locally grown fresh fruits and homemade breads prepared for us to share with one other. The beach was a few short steps away, along with free transport to another beach, and they easily orchestrated any day trip or excursion we could think of.
A small bush baby made his way to dinner one evening for entertainment and sang us to sleep each night. Skinks galore in the lush gardens and Thursday night we were treated to live entertainment while we relaxed in the pool.
And to top it off-on the last day, they packed up a nice breakfast to go, because they knew we were leaving on an early flight and would miss their yummy breakfast.”
Guest review
10/10
Constantina · partner · 2024-02-19
“Hotel avec accès direct à la mer. Chambres tres spacieuses et propres, joliment decorées avec lits en baldaquin de style local, réparties en bungalows dans un jardin tropical luxuriant et très bien entretenu.
Très bon accueil, personnel très bienveillant. Nois avons adoré le restaurant. Plats copieux, et delicieux. Petits dejeuners fabuleux.
Spa avec tables de massage donnant sur l ocean.
Cet hotel est un havre de paix. Nous recommandons sans hésitation. ”
Guest review
10/10
Linda · family · 2024-01-18
“Thank you very much for accommodating our needs to shorten our stay from 4 nights to 3 nights. We enjoyed our stay very much, a perfect place to relax after our safari trip.”
Guest review
6/10
Andy · family · 2023-11-20
“good : staff at the front desk were trying to help out .
neutral : food in the restaurant was hit or miss , sometimes good , sometimes bad
bad : I don't normally write bad reviews, but maybe they can do some improvements . there was a bad smell coming from the toilet , we were in room 7b , we turned on the a/c to mask the smell and I became sick with runny nose and flu like symptoms. They tried to switch us to another room , but they were fully booked and we got stuck in there 2 nights . They need to figure out where the smell is coming from. ”
Guest review
10/10
Lajos Zoltán · partner · 2021-12-18
“The management did everything for us! This was my best holiday ever! The bungalows are amazing and unique! All the staff members are amazing! The food was fresh and so tasty! It was like a big family”
Guest review
8/10
Jérémie · 2021-12-10
“Très bon séjour, peu de soirée a thème (inexistante) pendant notre séjour. Personnel très agréable, je recommande ! ”
Guest review
10/10
Yongan · 2021-11-14
“Mysigt boutiquehotell på östra sidan. Bästa med stället var servicen från receptionen, allt gick att ordna och inget var omöjligt. Nackdelen är att stranden var inget vidare, drömmer du om klarblått vatten så rekommenderar jag västra sidan (kan bero på vilken årstid man åker). Vi gjorde några utflykter”
Guest review
8/10
Verified traveler · partner · 2021-07-25
“Very peaceful hidden spot in Kiwengwa. This is definitely a location for those that want to be away from the hustle and bustle of a busier city center. We were able to go to tours from this location, with Stone Town being about an hour away, but we enjoyed spending time lying lazily by the pool. The restaurant had good food and the staff was very kind and accommodating. ”
