On the wast coast of Zanzibar the beaches maybe yellow sand rather than white but you are more likely to be able to swim at all hours even with the tide out.
Imani Beach is ideally located close to Stone Town. A 10,000 shilling taxi drive or 300 shillings on a dala dala.
We stayed a week and found the life that passes in front of the hotel entertaining, varied and local!The staff at Imani Beach were excellent as was the food.
We liked the fact that this isn't one of a long line of tourist resorts that tend to spoil parts of Zanzibar. You will be looked after by Simon and his team.

Had a fantastic stay at the Imani Lodge, a warm welcome, staff cannot do enough for you. The atmosphere is extreamely relaxed, amazing views from the tree house, especially on sunset.
Would highly recommened this lodge....
Thanks to Tito, Hadji 1 Hadji 2 & Simon

This is our second time at Imani and third visit to Zanzibar, and the first time we've returned to a place outside of South Africa. First visit was February 2011. As first time visitors as Europeans (yes, we're actually Swedish) it could be overwhelming. The humidity, the 'pole pole' (it is Swahili for slowly) but to be honest the most overwhelming thing is the genuine friendliness of the Zanzibari people.

At Imani you're always greeted with a smile and never looked over. Their large comfortable rooms, all en suite with A/C and big elevated beds are good retreats for the night. A treehouse where you can enjoy your sundowner overlooking perhaps the most beautiful of sunsets that Zanzibar can offer. The beach at the front of the hotel are a bit "coraly" but once the high tide is in you can easily swim over that. There is also a nice strip of beach just to the left of the hotel. Set in a local fishing village, it is quite quiet and not a lot of tourists around.

The food is just awesome. The all-day-open kitchen (7-21) cooks up unbelievable seafood dishes and specials are often on offer. Reasonably well priced and always fresh and genuine.

Since our last visit a massage/pampering and relaxing area has been created and now brushed up! Great for your massage, manicure, pedicure, braiding etc... Imani also have their own boat & car of course so any trip could be customized. We really recommend doing the day trip to the nearby Prison ISland where the tortoise sanctuary is. Also great for swimming and snorkeling. And/or the spice tour with the best guide on Zanzibar, Mr Babuu. Never a dull moment with that guy :) The owner Simon or manager Tito are around to help you organize a trip or find something that you would need. Stone Town is only a 10 minute drive away so dinner out in town or if here in february, a visit to the Swahili music festival 'Sauti Za busara' is a must!!

The local disco that has been mentioned is now only once per week, if that and not nearly as loud as it used to be. You wouldn't really hear anything when in your room at night.

So, it is really difficult to come up with something not so good with Imani beach. You just have to come here and check it out for yourself.

Relax, enjoy and let yourself be pampered for a bit!

Welcome to Imani!

We had such a great stay at Imani. The atmosphere is extremely relaxed and welcoming with all of the staff being very helpful and friendly. The rooms are simple but large and elegant. The restaurant area is informal and a great place to enjoy a very tasty (and very reasonable) meal including fresh local seafood. The treehouse bar is fantastic for enjoying sundowners...well, drinks at any time of the day really, but the best part of this hotel experience was the way we were looked after by Simon. He's on hand when you need him to be and melts into the background when you don't! He has clearly put a lot of care and thought into making the hotel a home away from home with an exotic twist.