The chaos of a wedding may seem like a walk in the park compared to the hot, hectic madness that is arriving at Dar es Salaam airport. But not to worry, you’ll soon be in the calm, capable hands of Captain Ian (your personal pilot) and whisked into the blue open skies, cruising above the Indian Ocean in a 12-seater Cessna. Less than an hour later, you’ll bump down on a grassy airstrip in Mashado surrounded by bright green sisal plants, before taking a short drive through villages of waving children and eventually being greeted at the hotel with songs, smiles and fresh coconuts.
Your Beach Home Mawimbi Villa, Tanzania Photo Gallery
It’s the amazing service headed up by Grayson and his superfriendly, efficient team that makes Mawimbi feel like home (seriously, they will care and cook for you as if you’re family). Mawimbi means ‘tides’ in Swahili and the house has been built in harmony with its natural surroundings. Tucked away behind palm trees on the edge of a peaceful, untouched stretch of the white-sand Ushongo beach, the traditionally built house has six bedrooms decorated in soft chalky colours, with locally crafted furnishings and a thatched roof. The pace is unhurried, with a relaxed, sarong-and-no-shoes kind of vibe. Breakfast is whatever you want, when you want – just ask Chef. A dip in the pool followed by freshly caught seafood at lunch?
No problem. An evening stroll to watch the stars and ‘flowers of the beach’ (pink crabs), followed by a candlelit Swahili feast, with bespoke leaf crowns and storytelling? Easily organised. Here, it’s all possible. INSTA-WORTHY MOMENT Don’t expect inflatable floating unicorns at this understated retreat – the Insta-envy will come from your pictures of ancient dhows (traditional boats) floating by, or of locals collecting driftwood on the beach. GO Exclusive hire of Mawimbi Villa (mawimbivilla.com) starts from £176 per night, based on six people sharing. Domestic flights from Dar es Salaam to MashadoPangani with Coastal Aviation (coastal.co.tz) start from £298 return.
