Zanzibar Lodge — Hotel in Mkunazini

I contacted the owner Tausi for a day use of the room since I was travelling earlier on the day from Kendwa and my flight was not till later in the evening. Communications via email was prompt and upon arrival the room was clean and ready. I enjoyed the location for my last minute shopping at the local market and it is also a short distance to Lukmaan a nice local restaurant. Everything seems to be going on well until my departure. I had arrange on my own my taxi driver Ali to pick me up at 7.15pm, I have been using the same taxi driver for my prior Stonetown visit. Around 6.45pm, one of the male staff told me my taxi driver is here, (I was surprised because I am meeting my driver Ali at Lukmaan at 7.15pm). I asked the staff, what is the name of the driver and he said Ali and I added that I still have time. So when the time came for me to leave, the particular staff assisted in carrying my luggage and handed my luggage to an unidentified man. I said I can do this myself since I have to walk to Lukmann (3 mins away). The staff said this is your driver and they hurriedly usher me away...I kept asking where is Ali and he said Ali can't make it. As I arrived at the airport, I got missed calls from Ali, that was when I knew I was tricked. I spoke to Ali and as arranged he was waiting for me at Lukmaan. I immediately emailed Tausi and he apologized for his staff behavior. But the damage is done and the trust is gone. The dishonesty of this staff will not make me want to return back to this lodge...

I contacted the owner Tausi for a day use of the room since I was travelling earlier on the day from Kendwa and my flight was not till later in the evening. Communications via email was prompt and upon arrival the room was clean and ready. I enjoyed the location for my last minute shopping at the local market and it is also a short distance to Lukmaan a nice local restaurant. Everything seems to be going on well until my departure. I had arrange on my own my taxi driver Ali to pick me up at 7.15pm, I have been using the same taxi driver for my prior Stonetown visit. Around 6.45pm, one of the male staff told me my taxi driver is here, (I was surprised because I am meeting my driver Ali at Lukmaan at 7.15pm). I asked the staff, what is the name of the driver and he said Ali and I added that I still have time. So when the time came for me to leave, the particular staff assisted in carrying my luggage and handed my luggage to an unidentified man. I said I can do this myself since I have to walk to Lukmann (3 mins away). The staff said this is your driver and they hurriedly usher me away...I kept asking where is Ali and he said Ali can't make it. As I arrived at the airport, I got missed calls from Ali, that was when I knew I was tricked. I spoke to Ali and as arranged he was waiting for me at Lukmaan. I immediately emailed Tausi and he apologized for his staff behavior. But the damage is done and the trust is gone. The dishonesty of this staff will not make me want to return back to this lodge...

Firstly take some bread or about 2km of string so when you head out at night you can find your way back especially after a few safari's. No road nearby so no taxi. You could walk past it & not even realise. We stayed at ZDL having returned late in the day from the east coast & wanted to get the first ferry to DAR (0700) & this is the nearest, rated & cheapest place ($13 pp) to the ferry port. If this is the purpose of your stay its a 10 minute walk to the terminal. Its probably the most crooked place Ive even been with a lot of wonky steep stairs & uneven floors with a bit of a kitchen/avery (parrots) on the 1st floor & partitioned rooms on the larger 2nd & 3rd floors. A shared toilet with cold shower & a shared toilet with hot shower are on each floor. The rooms contain a bed with a padlocked door & ceiling fan. It seemed safe enough & was particulary quiet. The other guest were 3 groups of 2 girls all 20-25 years old. The absolute highlight of this hotel is when you go to the top 2 floors on the roof & look out over the whole of Stone Town from a birds eye point of view. A photographers delight with a full 360 degree view of Stone Town & all its major sights -...