An eco hotel, or a green hotel, is an environmentally sustainable hotel or accommodation that has made important environmental improvements to its structure in order to minimize its impact on the natural environment and eco friendly hotels Zanzibar are considered excellent place to hang out for a couple of nights in Zanzibar islands and beyond.
Zanzibar ranks 120th worldwide on the inaugural Sustainable Cities Index from Arcadis, the leading global natural and built asset design and consultancy firm.
Unguja, also known as Zanzibar Island, is the main island in the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar. Stone Town, part of Zanzibar City, is an old trade center, with mosques and winding lanes. The 1883 House of Wonders is a former sultan’s palace with a clock tower.
The Old Fort now houses a cultural center and a stone amphitheater. Underground aqueducts fed hot water to the late-19th-century Hamamni Persian Baths
Best Day Trips in Zanzibar
- Zanzibar Food and Spices Tour Including Traditional Swahili Lunch
- Nakupenda Beach Day Tour in Zanzibar
- Tanzania Blue Safari Fascinating day at Zanzibar
- Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar
- Safari Blue (Full Day Boat Trip)
See all tours in Zanzibar on GetYourGuide.
1. Pemba Eco Lodge 3* – Eco Friendly Hotels Zanzibar
Pemba Lodge is an eco-friendly resort offering bungalows made out of recycled boats and natural local materials. Each one is has a secluded location in the large garden and has direct access to the beach.
The bungalows are raised from the ground on stilts to capture the sea-breeze and can be accessed by a small ladder. They include four-poster beds surrounded by mosquito nets and a rainwater shower.
Guests can dine at the restaurant which provides fresh organic meals prepared with wild seafood and vegetables from the garden. There is also a bar made out of recycled-wood.
Snorkelling and kayaking facilities are provided by the Pemba Lodge and can be used to explore the mangroves. Diving trips and Swahili massages can be arranged upon request.
Rustic beachfront eco lodge with thatched bungalows, a restaurant/bar & guided nature excursions.
I had a very relaxing and calm getaway in a peaceful place with beautiful surroundings which was exactly what I was looking for. My bungalow had a a nice view towards the garden and the beach, and I could spend hours just listening to the sounds of nature, reading a book (they have a small library) and watching friendly locals walking by on the beach.
There are no other hotels or resorts in the vicinity so you have the beach pretty much to yourself. I appreciated the fact that it is an eco lodge and that they are e.g. using solar power and composting toilets and collecting rainwater for the showers.
The staff was very friendly and attentive, and every morning when I woke up there was a small thermos of local chai (tea) waiting for me on the bungalow terrace table. A beautiful, down to earth place.
If you’re looking for a unique Eco Lodge in Zanzibar, in the middle of nature, at a turquoise, crystal clear bay, with the most caring and hospitable staff we ever met, great food and beautiful, spacious and eco-friendly built rooms, using only solar power and rainwater, Pemba Lodge is the place to be!
An outstanding lodge, with outstanding staff on Pemba Island, with a wonderful friendly and proud population, surrounded by the most beautiful coral reefs for diving and snorkelling!
This eco hotel respects the environment and gives you the opportunity of being in Paradise. It is a small hotel So you will experiment the feeling on being alone in this amazing island. We could do kayak and snorkeling, both were good experiences.
In the restaurant they served an enormous and delicious breakfast, for lunch it was always The catch of the day and never the same plate for dinner (you must like seafood if you go there). And the staff was extremely kind with us and the day of our departure came to soon we would have loved to stay for longer.
Although this was at least my 6th visit to Pemba Lodge, I never get tired of the quietness, stunning ocean landscapes, swimming in crystal clear water and sometimes seeing phytoplankton, clean air, walks around Shimano Island, eco–friendly values and incredible seafood (the chef is always good, but this year he was exquisite!).
This is a little piece of paradise – if you are lucky enough to visit you will certainly return!
How much does a room costs at Pemba Eco Lodge ?
Prices start 170$/night for Bungalow (2 Adults).
Featuring a large deck with a hammock and rocking chairs, this bungalow offers views of the surrounding rainforest. It has a seating area, a fan and a private bathroom.
Where to book online– Pemba Eco Lodge – Eco Friendly Hotels Zanzibar – you can find the best eco friendly hotels deals in Zanzibar during The Zanzibar International Film Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Zanzibar on Booking.com or Hotelscombined.com or Trip.comand see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
2. Seasons Lodge Zanzibar 3* – Eco Friendly Hotels Zanzibar
Featuring a private beach area, Seasons Lodge Zanzibar is a hotel in Pongwe offering water sports facilities and garden. The property also features an outdoor swimming pool.
The units at the hotel are fitted with a seating area. Some units at Seasons Lodge Zanzibar also provide guests with a balcony. All rooms include a wardrobe. Rooms are complete with a private bathroom equipped with free toiletries.
Guests can enjoy a continental and Full English/Irish breakfast is served every morning at the property.
Facing the Indian Ocean, this serene, family-run ecolodge is 5 km from Kiwengwa Pongwe Forest and 9 km from Kiwengwa caves. It’s 36 km from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport.
Cosy cottages with exposed-stone walls and parquet flooring provide safes, fans, and balconies with ocean views.
Amenities include a restaurant serving locally sourced food from a garden, as well as 2 bars, a private beach and an outdoor pool. There are also organized activities.
It is not a big European style resort, but beautiful in its own way. Each accommodation consisted of a stone cottage in a walled garden. Just beautiful! The doors open up to the ocean with two lounge chairs for private relaxation. Felt like a little bit of paradise.
On one end of the property is the main lodge where meals are served. Food was outstanding! There was a main dining area, but also two private decks where you could eat if you wanted something special. This would be an ideal spot for honeymooning.
On the other end was the recreation area with a small pool, bar, and several lounging options. We loved the swings and the hammocks.
Bonus point for the eco-friendly focus of this establishment. No bottled water, but rather spots where you could fill your own bottles. Decor from recycled materials. Well done, Seasons Lodge!
The big draw card of Seasons Lodge is their beautiful eco rooms literally right on the ocean. You can see the sun rise and hear wear the waves right from the comfort of your bed, with the wind keeping you cool.
The whole lodge has all been hand made, giving it a rustic beach feel. This makes it approachable and less pretentious meaning you can relax and be yourself.
There is a nice pool, free kayaks, books, ping pong and a pool table to keep you entertained. We also rented a motorbike to drive around the island.
The staff and two dogs were very friendly, and their weekly Sunday Sessions pool lounge event was a nice surprise, bringing in some locals!
The breakfast was the biggest let down from our stay. Every day was the same; stale toast, fruit and pancakes with jam and a drink. You could “upgrade” for eggs and a sausage for an additional $7. I feel like this should be included from the beginning.
Lunch was great value for just $10 for a generous portion dish and we sampled nearly every dish on the menu over our 4 days. Every one of them was great, so try them all.
Dinner was hit or miss. The mains were delicious but some of the starters and desserts were sub par… eg. melted ice cream every time and what tasted like packaged cake. This was $25 for a 3 course dinner.
Overall, we loved our stay at Seasons Lodge. It’s beautiful, right on the beach and has friendly staff and service. If the food could be refined, then this would be a 5/5 experience.
This little piece of paradise, lost in the east coast of Zanzibar in a beautiful location just right on a white sand beach facing the turquoise ocean, it’s simple and amazing at the same time. An Eco-friendly lodge created by the owner, an energetic and funny Irish man, where you will experience the quintessence of the natural environment of Zanzibar.
The villas, 8, are stunning, each of them separated by natural rocks’ walls to ensure total privacy for the guests. A marvelous wooden carved door opens on the private villas, all facing the ocean and with private small beach and sunbathing area.
Big windows surround the entire room giving you the impression of being open space in a tropical garden. They are mainly decorated with locally made coconuts’ wood items, which is part of the sustainable engagement of this lodge.
The food is very good also and the staff very helpful and kind. If you plan to visit Zanzibar you have to plan at least one night there.
A quiet, very friendly boutique hotel on Pongwe beach, Seasons Lodge offers true “barefoot luxury”. Each beautifully furnished individual bungalow looks out across the Indian Ocean from its own private beach garden and the hotel’s eco-credentials ensure that it leaves a minimal footprint on what remains, for now, an unspoilt area with only a handful of other unobtrusive hotels nearby.
Food and drink were both of a very high standard, but the real plus point for us was the small number of rooms, keeping the hotel peaceful and exclusive.
How much does a room costs at Seasons Lodge Zanzibar ?
Prices start 150$/night for Double Room with Sea View.
Boasting a balcony with ocean views, this double room features a private entrance, wardrobe, safe and fan. The unit also has a sitting area and outdoor furniture. The bed is draped with a mosquito net.
The room is complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bathtub. The property provides a hairdryer, slippers, bathrobe and free toiletries.
Where to book online – Seasons Lodge Zanzibar – Eco Friendly Hotels Zanzibar – you can find the best eco friendly hotels deals in Zanzibar during The Zanzibar International Film Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Zanzibar on Booking.com or Hotelscombined.com or Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
3. Sunshine Marine Lodge 4* – Green Hotels Zanzibar
Featuring 3 swimming pools, a dive centre and private beach with a restaurant, Sunshine Marine Lodge is situated on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean and Mnemba Atoll, in a wild and unspoiled bush, far away from the busy city. It is just 700 m from the white sand Muyuni Beach.
All the rooms come with a balcony or terrace and ocean views. They also include Zanzibari-style décor and a safety deposit box. The en suite bathrooms are equipped with a shower.
Sunshine Marine Lodge also offers their guests exclusive access to a private beach area on Sunshine Bay. This private beach features a restaurant, beach bar as well as umbrellas and sun lounges.
Sunshine Marine Lodge is a unique and remote property located right across from Mnemba island on the north-east coast of Zanzibar. It has a beautiful Swahili-style design and an amazing garden, which makes it the perfect paradise getaway.
The hotel has 26 rooms in 8 bungalows, with truly spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, and surrounded by a tropical garden. The hotel has a large, ocean-front restaurant. Next to it is the pool area with sunbeds and 2 pristine pools- one of which is an infinity pool with a view right onto the ocean.
Dive Point Zanzibar- a PADI 5 Star Resort certified diving center is located in the hotel. Mnemba Atoll, with its magnificent marine life, is only a 20 minute boat ride away from the hotel jetty. Sunshine Marine Lodge has a private beach, located 700 meters away. Muyuni Beach has its own beach bar, sunbeds and umbrellas, restrooms and an open-air shower.
It offers guests private access to white sands, exquisite views and 24/7 swimming opportunities.
The lodge promises eco friendly constructions which is great to use nature’s cooling effects being close to the sea but it’s only good if you have a sea facing room. I had a garden suite which didn’t do well with ventilation so at nights was hard to sleep even with the fans as it was Hot.
But nevertheless the room design and comfort is exquisite.
Our room was made in traditional Swahili style and had the most stunning view of the ocean from the balcony. The service was amazing, and the room was very clean and well kept. Every evening they did the turndown service and closed the mosquito net around the bed.
Service in the restaurant & bar was also great. The staff was very friendly and polite, and they took good care of us. I read some bad reviews regarding food, which I find surprising. The food was delicious, and every day there were lots of different options available.
The only downside is, that they do not have their own beach. But they do offer the transfer free of charge to the nearby sister hotel with a nice beach. We went there by bike, and it was a really nice and safe ride on the new road. The bikes need a bit more loving.
They have great bikes, but maintenance is quite bad. I feel it is also important to add that renting bikes is free of charge, which I do appreciate a lot, but I wouldn’t mind some contribution if it would mean that I can get a better bike.
The resort is also very eco-friendly. They do not use excessive plastic, and they refill the water bottle in the room every day. Shampoo and conditioner in the room are also being refilled. They buy fish from local fishermen and offer them in the restaurant.
There is no lobster on the menu since it is endangered. Beer is sold in bottles, and it is mostly local. These are all little things, that make a huge long term impact.
My room looked out on the ocean and I spent long hours on my balcony. The eco-friendly villas usually house four rooms. Because the lodge is built on a slope my guess is that every room offers an ocean view. I liked the interior design of the rooms very much.
A nice mix of local architecture and Western taste. No air conditioning, which I never missed since the doors and windows are designed in a way that the ocean breeze cools down the rooms. The mosquito nets in my room were in very good condition. Hot water is provided by water heaters powered by solar panels.
Last but not least, staff and management were very attentive and kind. They took great care in looking after their guests. I found their hospitality quite remarkable and will never forget their kindness.
How much does a room costs at Sunshine Marine Lodge ?
Prices start 146$/night for Deluxe Suite with Sea View.
Located in bungalows surrounded by a lush garden, this room comes with a balcony or veranda with Ocean view, Zanzibari-style décor, king size bed with mosquito net, desk, stone bench, safe, fans, wardrobe. The en suite bathroom is equipped with a shower.
Where to book online – Sunshine Marine Lodge – Eco Friendly Hotels Zanzibar – you can find the best eco friendly hotels deals in Zanzibar during The Zanzibar International Film Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Zanzibar on Booking.com or Hotelscombined.com or Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
