Zanzibar luxury beach resort

We strive to provide a high quality tourism facility which has a neutral or beneficial impact on the environment and a positive impact on the local community.

The hotel is constructed and run with the environment in mind. Our natural forest surrounds us, the wildlife is not interfered with in any way, and waste products are dealt with safely. We work closely with PECCA, the Pemba Channel Conservation Association, to monitor and protect our marine environment by ensuring that only sustainable fishing methods are followed in the designated marine conservation areas.

We are delighted to live amongst the beauty of unspoiled Pemba and to share this place with our hosts the Pemban people, on whom we rely for the success of the hotel. We are continuously seeking ways to honour their culture and to respond to the requirements of the local community in a responsible manner. As well as employment opportunities and business partnerships, these requirements include clean water, primary education and basic healthcare, and this hotel has ongoing projects in all these areas.

People visit us from all over the world; many see what we are achieving here and wish to contribute to our efforts. We are grateful for your donations to help us fund our projects, and we ask you to respect the cultural traditions of this island and to leave the environment untouched.

Child illiteracy in the area was 100%. In 12 months from September 2004, individual guest and private hotel donations had raised $12,000 towards the school fund. The fund was controlled by the hotel management to ensure efficient and effective spend and a local foreman managed the construction using voluntary local labour. A VSO teacher trainer advised us on teaching materials, which were made by our employees, or brought by guests in response to our website request. The four teachers were given bicycles for transport, and uniforms were provided for pupils. In January 2006 the school opened for 95 pupils and 5 new classrooms trebled the capacity in January 2007, at a cost of $9,000. At the same time, we have put $6,000 into healthcare, changing 12 children’s lives with corrective surgery, to enable them to attend school. This education means that over 100 local families will have an opportunity to reduce their current levels of poverty.

Pemba has a sensitive religious and political culture, due to little prior exposure to the developed world. The population is 98% Muslim. Letters outlining the cultural sensitivity are provided to guests on arrival at the hotel.

We are the largest employer and the only hotel of note on Pemba Island which provides for the Pemban people. There is no other source of income for over 3,000 people except for that which the hotel provides. 95 of our 115 staff are Pembans, this is a policy. Each employee supports an estimated average of 10 extended family members. Therefore up to 1,000 people benefit directly from the hotel. We also have a loan fund of $2000 which is offered to staff for building houses, schooling for siblings, assisting sick relatives, etc. This year already 60 people have benefited from this.

To reduce the environmental impacts of the resort:

The rooms were built around existing trees, avoiding felling.

Wood is from sustainable sources.

Sewerage is dealt with safely in non-chemical soak-away pits.

Biodegradable soaps and shampoos are provided for guests

Eco products are used in cleaning and washing

Rainwater is from hotel boreholes only

Grey water is filtered through soak away pits

Water is solar heated, with 20 small tanks heated by 4 panels each..

Rubbish is separated, compacted, composted, and burned underground.

Plastic bottles and metal bottle tops are provided to local NGO for recycling

Guests are asked not to take shells from the beach.

School children regularly visit to learn about conservation and tourism.

We don’t anchor boats on the reef & our divers don’t interfere with sea life.

Our wildlife (monkeys, flying foxes, bush babies) is never fed.