Karibu Beach Resort — Hotel in Unguja

“A Hidden Paradise – Karibu Beach Resort Zanzibar”

I had the pleasure of staying at Karibu Beach Resort in Zanzibar for 15 days, and I can honestly say it was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth and genuine hospitality, setting the tone for a truly unforgettable stay.

Small and Intimate, Yet Exquisite

Karibu Beach Resort is a boutique hotel with only about 15 rooms, which creates an intimate, peaceful atmosphere. The resort has the feel of a private paradise, far from the typical overcrowded tourist spots. Despite its size, the service here is nothing short of 5-star quality. Every member of the staff goes above and beyond to ensure guests have everything they need for a comfortable and relaxing stay.

Impeccable Cleanliness and Service

The cleanliness at Karibu Beach Resort is absolutely incredible. From the rooms to the pool area, and throughout the public spaces, everything is spotless. The attention to detail in cleaning is something I rarely see. Housekeeping is meticulous, and you can tell the hotel takes great pride in maintaining its pristine condition.

As for the service, it’s outstanding. Every staff member is attentive, friendly, and truly cares about your comfort. From the reception to the restaurant staff, everyone is always there to help with a smile. They go the extra mile, whether it’s offering recommendations for local activities, setting up the perfect beach chair for you, or making sure you’re always comfortable.

Delicious Fresh Food

The food at the hotel is amazing. The restaurant offers a variety of fresh, flavorful dishes, and the menus are prepared to order. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, every meal was made with care, using fresh local ingredients. The breakfast spread is especially noteworthy, with a great selection of fruits, eggs, and traditional Zanzibari dishes. Each meal is tailored to your preferences, and you can tell the chefs take great pride in what they prepare.

Stunning Beach and Rooms

The beach is simply breathtaking. The sand is soft and white, the water crystal clear, and the view is jaw-dropping. Whether you’re lounging by the beach or taking a swim in the ocean, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stumbled into paradise.

The rooms at Karibu Beach Resort are fantastic. Spacious and airy, with high ceilings and tasteful decor, each room feels like your own private retreat. The beds are large and comfortable, and the atmosphere is peaceful, perfect for a good night’s rest. Every evening, the staff takes care of the mosquito nets and provides anti-mosquito products, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep. After 15 days, I didn’t get a single mosquito bite — that’s how well they take care of the little details!

The Adorable Coco and the Personal Touch

One of the most delightful surprises at the resort was Coco, the adorable little monkey that roams around the property. He’s a lovely addition to the experience, bringing joy to everyone who gets a chance to interact with him. It’s these personal touches that make Karibu Beach Resort feel even more special.

A Dream Vacation in Paradise

If you’re looking for a quiet, luxurious getaway with exceptional service, incredible food, and stunning views, Karibu Beach Resort is the place to be. It’s an ideal spot to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of Zanzibar in a serene, intimate setting. Everything about this hotel is designed to make you feel like you’re living in a paradise, and I honestly can’t recommend it enough.

This resort has left me with unforgettable memories, and I can’t wait to return. It’s the perfect place for anyone looking to experience Zanzibar at its best. Thank you, Karibu Beach Resort, for making my...

We had a lovely stay at this adults-only hotel, perfect for couples seeking peace and relaxation. The staff were helpful, even walking us to our dinner reservation one evening, ensuring we felt safe walking through the local village. From the moment we arrived and received a welcome drink, we were treated well. The breakfast was average but it was cooked to order, and always plentiful. Our room was cleaned to a high standard daily, and the AC worked perfectly. We especially appreciated the full-length mirror and consistently warm shower.

The hotel's facilities were good - a serene pool area, sun loungers on the beach, and a rooftop terrace where we enjoyed the sunrise. Laying on the beach was always peaceful, with no one bothering us within the hotel’s boundaries. While there were a few local vendors just outside, they weren’t overly intrusive. For dining, we enjoyed meals at The Club, The Island, and The Cliff Grill, all just a short five-minute walk along the beach. It was convenient that the hotel arranged our airport transfers, it was $90 for a round trip.

There were plenty of entertainment options on some evenings—one night, they even set up tables on the sand with a live band, which made for a romantic and magical atmosphere. The beach itself was stunning, with white sand and turquoise waters at both low and high tide.

On the downside, the WiFi connection was unreliable, but we managed with an e-sim for data. The hotel itself could be quite noisy. The village and construction noise started very early and would continue late at night. One morning, we were woken by someone trying to enter our room at 6am, which was unnerving. Additionally, their pet monkey was a cute but a nuisance, often jumping onto our table during meals and trying to steal food (a lot of the time successfully!) which was far from hygienic. It also disrupted our time at the pool.

Lastly, the hotel’s location may not suit everyone, as it’s about an hour from most popular destinations, like Nungwi or Paje, and The Rock restaurant is 1.5 hours away. However, we were content relaxing on the property, so it didn’t bother us.

Overall, we had a wonderful time, but a few improvements could make this hotel...

ROBBED WHILE ASLEEP IN ROOM AT NIGHT||||I stayed at Karibu Beach resort with my partner from 20 June 2025 to 24 June 2025.||||On 21 June 2025, or the early morning of 22 June 2025, burglars entered our room while we were asleep, stole our two laptops, two iphones, leather laptop bag, and gold jewellery. Our phones were on our beds, in between myself and my partner, so the burglars must have made their way onto the bed. We think the burglars burnt something, or otherwise dosed us, so that they could work their way through our room easily. It appears also that the burglars knew their away around the room, as they were able to move around quietly while in total dark. ||||It is likely that the burglars were able to walk in and out of the hotel with our goods, and there seems to have been almost no security patrolling. The hotel alleges that the burglars somehow jumped the wall, but this seems implausible. It is a high wall, and there were no discernible marks left on the wall in the morning. The hotel did not show us the video footage. Strangely, they found our keys immediately outside the front entrance.||||The hotel assured us that they would reimburse the value of our goods. However, less than an hour before we were due to depart, they said they would only give us a fraction of the value, and accused us of dishonesty about the items stolen. This was clearly false. We had provided proof of the devices stolen. The hotel also demanded that we sign a non-disclosure agreement. We did not understand on what basis the hotel could try hold us hostage in this way. ||We said we would not sign the NDA, particularly for the amount offered, and suggested we settle for a different figure (still less than the total value of our goods). They refused and said they would now provide us...