“Michaela and Raphael were absolutely wonderful and it was surely a lovely boho experience luxurious secluded and magica”

Everything

The staff was so nice, beautiful room with comfortable bed, incredible food :) very peaceful and calm place, very good if you are looking for a relaxing time. I would love to go back at some point.

“An outstanding combination of peace, comfort, and outstanding hospitality.”

From the moment we arrived, the warmth and friendliness of the staff made a lasting impression, who all truly went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. Our ocean-facing villa was lovely and incredibly quiet, making it the perfect place to relax. With room service included, we enjoyed breakfast at our villa almost every day and it was also incredibly convenient to be able to order anything to the room or the pool via WhatsApp. The food was consistently well prepared and delicious. While we didn't book anything, the team can set you up on a variety of activities around the Island, which adds to the experience. It's worth noting that we visited during the low season and essentially had the whole place to ourselves. For about half of our stay we shared the space with another couple, but the property is so well organized that we barely ran into one another, aside from occasionally saying hello around dinner time. We highly recommend this place for anyone looking for peace, quiet, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Even after seven days, it still felt like our stay was far too short, as unbelievable as that may sound.

“Truly memorable!”

Absolutely fantastic. What a truly beautiful place! Fantastic staff, beautiful views, amazing food and service. A really unique, memorable place! Thank you to all for a fabulous stay.

“Outstanding!”

One of the most incredible hotels. With only 6 rooms, it feels like you’re on a private island. The hotel also look after a couple of cats and dogs which made our trip even more special. All the staff were super helpful and kind. They even set up a romantic dinner for two on our last evening for no additional charge. We went full board which was completely worth it. The food was absolutely delicious and as part of the package we could have 3 courses for both lunch and dinner. We had all sorts of delicious seafood - lobster, crab, fish. You can also choose to have a private breakfast which is set up outside your room. I had a massage outside the room, right next to the sea which was lovely.

“An Exceptional Stay at Pongwe Island Lodge – A True Paradise in Zanzibar!”

We just returned from an unforgettable 13-night stay at Pongwe Island Lodge in Zanzibar, and we couldn’t have dreamed of a better place to unwind. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Margarita, the lodge manager, whose kindness and professionalism truly reflect the quality of the entire team. After our third night, we were pleasantly surprised with a complimentary upgrade to a stunning villa with ocean views. This gem was tastefully decorated in local style, featuring Maasai statues and traditional masks — a true immersion in Tanzanian culture. The villa was spacious, beautifully designed, impeccably clean, and well maintained. The lodge is located on a private island and features only six accommodations, offering absolute peace and total privacy. If you're looking to escape from the noise and crowds and fully reconnect with nature, this is the place for you. The staff was incredibly attentive. Whether it was Raphael, Juma, Anna, Irina, Susana, Ignas, Charles, Amani, the housekeeping team, the security staff, or the kitchen crew — everyone contributed to making our stay seamless and special. A special thank-you to the Chef who went out of her way to create diverse and high-quality meals throughout our long stay. When we mentioned we’d love to have Red Snapper, she and the team went above and beyond to prepare us a truly memorable dinner. Margarita even surprised us with a complimentary day trip to the Gold Zanzibar Beach House in Kendwa, a magical experience that was a true highlight of our trip. Everything : excursions, transfers, recommendations, was organized wonderfully. You simply get to relax and enjoy every moment while being guided by a caring and professional team. We 100% recommend Pongwe Island Lodge to anyone seeking authenticity, relaxation, personalized service and a paradise setting. The combination of comfort, understated luxury, and cultural richness is rare and precious.

“Dream”

Everythink

“BEST TRIP EVER THANK YOU!!!”

We recently stayed at this wonderful island retreat in Zanzibar as a family of six, and it exceeded all our expectations. Each pair in our group had their own individual lodge, which gave us the perfect balance of privacy and comfort. The rooms were spacious, clean, and beautifully designed — a real home away from home. What really made our stay special was the staff. Every single member of the team was warm, welcoming, and genuinely cared about making our experience exceptional. They went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed. The birthday surprises organised were out of this world! Thank you all so much! We loved yoga! The lady facilitating was amazing and it was such a great experience! The food was another highlight — fresh, delicious, and full of local flavor. From breakfast to dinner, every meal was a delight. We had an amazing time and would absolutely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Zanzibar, whether you're traveling as a couple, with friends, or as a family. We can’t wait to come back!

The staff was very attentive. Really enjoyed the food.

“Relaxing”

Lovely location on a small island connected to the mainland at low tide. Rustic but pleasant bungalows.

The kindness and helpfulness of the staff. A special thank to Frank for his hospitality.

“Magic”

We had an absolutely wonderful 3 day stay on The Island. The Island itself is a unique place to stay, from the small number of rooms which gives a feeling of real privacy, to the ever shifting, magical sea tides that each part of The Island looks out onto. The staff were incredibly lovely. Special shout outs to Frank, who meet us with a smile and cold coconut juice, Juma, Irene and Anna who were so lovely and friendly and kept us in good supply of food and drink and kindly brought our breakfast to our room (heaven). The food at the Island was exceptional. We didn’t get a chance to meet the chefs but hats off to them. The seafood was incredibly fresh and cooked/prepared expertly, breakfast was also yummy. Some of the most delicious sea food we have had. The lobster tagliatelle and the grilled prawns were a particular highlight. We had a room overlooking the sea and loved it. We had our own private terrace and plenty of room. Again, it felt very private but that everything was still very accessible. All in all, we can only describe our stay as magical. Magical place, magical people, magical food - book!

“One of the nicest locations I have ever stayed and thee best staff bar none .”

There are no words to describe how amazing the staff were ! I told them it was my partner’s birthday the day we arrived and the attention that she received was unbelievable. The food was great and the location is so beautiful. I will be advising all my friends to go and visit . We were surprisingly upgraded to the sultan’s suite on our second day ! It was heaven . We spent every morning and evening in the sea and afternoons in the lovely swimming pool . Once again thank you to the amazing staff.

Amazing location, brilliant staff! We had a wonderful few days here :)

“LOVED EVERY MINUTE”

Probably my favourite place we stayed in Zanzibar. From the food they served to the uniqueness of the island, can not believe this is only 3*! Don’t think about booking it, just do it

“Awesome Hotel, Friendly staff!”

Our stay the The Island was nothing short of amazing; the food was delicious, the staff is very friendly and forthcoming and the location itself is astonishing. The hotel itself has very few rooms (4-5?) which makes the setting private and quiet. Frank and the team took care of us during our entire stay and made sure all of our needs were met! We really enjoyed the optional room service, which allowed us to schedule breakfast in the morning had have it delivered to our porch which is located right next to the sea. We can only recommend staying there!

“A small paradise in Zanzibar”

The Island is a very unique place. Being a boutique hotel, since the beginning we were treated very well by the staff. Since it was our honeymoon we got a upgrade on our room to the best suite on the island and it was perfect. The restaurant there was very good and very well served. Staff was perfect.

“A honeymoon In paradise Hakana Matata”

From the moment we arrived we knew we had booked the perfect place to spend our honeymoon. We can’t thank frank enough who welcomed us to the island with open arms. His smile and helpfulness was infectious! The whole team felt like family by the time we left. Neema, Regina, Juma, Anna and Omary need a special mention as you all made our honeymoon very special. Im sure any future guests will agree by the time they leave! Thank you again and we hope to return one day.

“Peaceful time-out.”

The serene, picturesque location offered a perfect escape, with breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere. The staff were outstanding — friendly, professional, and attentive. This idyllic haven is ideal for anyone seeking relaxation. Highly recommended!

“Your next family is at Pongwe.”

Everything! Absolutely everything! The place is a piece of heaven! Don't think of going to any other hotel in Zanzibar. The staff here are exceptional. All of them. Frank at the reception is a true gentleman; he knows what the guests like, and he makes it ready even before I ask. Regina at the restaurant makes your meal an unforgettable experience. She is always smiling, and she gives all her heart to make you happy. Irene is like another sister for me. So kind and respectful. Also, the guys at the restaurant and the guys who take you to the shore by boat. True gems. This hotel is all about the staff. For me, they were family. I love you and I will return.