Shooting Star Lodge

The main features of this clifftop lodge are its bar/restaurant and pool areas, which offer outstanding views. Don't miss taking a dip in the salt-water infinity pool and watching the ocean – the world seems full of blue! You can expect good food too – the Zanzibari chef has a long-established reputation for fine seafood and vegetarian dishes. Relaible wi-fi is available at a nominal charge. There's a bar on the beach and loungers sheltered beneath palms.

The flavour is local, with 14 rooms built in traditional Zanzibari style with lime-washed walls, high beamed ceilings and large windows. The rooms are divided into three types. Stay in one of two villas (two bedrooms, air conditioning and private pool), an air-conditioned cottage with a veranda overlooking the ocean, or in a smaller but nevertheess comfortable lodge room (no air conditioning). There are also two Monsoon Villas, named for the southern and northern monsoon winds – the Kusi and Kaskazi – for honeymooners.

Dive or snorkel the lovely reefs, sunbathe on the beach, paddle in the pool or explore local Kiwengwa village on foot or by bicycle. It's not a very active village – each morning you can watch the local women heading out to harvest seaweed as the fishermen return with their catch, but it does provide opportunities to shop for trinkets, carvings and brightly coloured, wraparound cotton sarongs or kangas at the local bazaar. Life is leisurely here, enjoy it.