Pemba Lodge

The main area of the lodge is one large, open-sided, thatched building, which incorporates the lounge, bar and dining room. Heavy wooden furniture is carved from old dhow sail boats, and splashed with colourful Tanzanian fabrics and cushions, and there's authentic, island vibe around, as if Robinson Crusoe himself had built it. The bar is a sociable hangout, but dinner is normally served at private tables. Expect lots of fresh seafood bought daily from the local fisherman.

There are five wood, palm and thatch chalets spread out along the shore, each with a private path down to the beach. The decor inside is simple and functional, with lots of chunky wooden furniture, including a four-poster bed, sofa, a desk and chair and a small bookshelf. Ensuite bathrooms have all the essentials: a hot shower, basin and a compost toilet. The family chalet has three bedrooms, and a lovely verandah with deck chairs and hammocks. All chalets have solar-powered lights and a standing fan, whilst woven mats and colourful fabrics add a touch of character.

Chilling on the postcard-perfect beach is certainly a highlight at Pemba Lodge, but there's plenty more to keep you busy if you're keen for adventure. Start with a walk through the pristine forest with its abundance of plants and animals, or explore the reef at low tide with one of the guides. At high tide, take a kayak for a paddle around the island and explore the mangroves, don a mask and snorkel the vibrant underwater world or, even better, organise a dive off Pemba's mainland - the diversity of marine life here, along with the pristine condition of the coral reefs, is quite simply as good as it gets. And then , when the day is done, don't miss the chance to gaze at the heavens - you're about as far away from city lights as you can get.