FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the check in and out time?
Check in time is flexible, but try to let us know your approximate time of arrival.
Check out time is 10.00 am. We can safely store your luggage after checkout and it is possible to use the facilities of the lodge until departure.
How do you arrange food and drinks bills?
During your stay we will keep track of your extra’s. The barman will ask you to sign the bar bill of the day before you retire to bed. At the end of your stay the total can be settled. We accept cash (USD, GBP, Euro, TSH) or credit card (VISA, MasterCard or American Express). For credit card payments there is a surcharge of 5%
Activities organized with our dive center ‘One-Ocean’ must be settled directly with them. Credit cards are also accepted.
Do you have room service?
Breakfast and other meals can be served in your room between 08h00 and 10h00. Please let Mwona, our receptionist, know the afternoon before.
Is there a laundry service?
Personal laundry can be deposited in the laundry basket together with the (completed) laundry form.
Is there a safe?
Each villa is provided with a private safe in the bedroom closet under the stairs. It is also possible to store your valuables in the safe in the reception.
Do you have internet?
Unguja Lodge has its own satellite link to ensure a reliable and fast internet connection You are welcome to use your Iphone, Smart phone or laptop and connect to our Wi-Fi network free of charge. Wi-Fi is available in and around the restaurant area. If you need a computer we can let you use one of the reception computers.
Telephone calls?
Zanzibar has a good mobile telephone network and coverage is available at Unguja Lodge. If your mobile has roaming enabled you may be able to use it at Unguja. If your mobile phone is SIM lock free we can help you get a (cheap) local SIM card and vouchers so you can use the Zanzibari mobile networks. If you would like to make a call using our phones ask the receptionist. We charge fair prices for phone calls. Fax is not available but we can scan and mail documents for you when needed.
Should I tip the staff?
At the reception we keep a special envelope for tips. If you would like to leave something for the staff we ask you to deposit it there. We try to make sure that all staff (40 people) benefit equally from the tips.
What can I do and what should I not do?
The people of Kizimkazi welcome you in their village. They look forward to meeting you and would love to talk and share experiences and ideas.
The staff of Unguja Lodge and the people in the village will appreciate if you take into account their culture and religion. We request not to sunbathe topless in Unguja Lodge or on the beaches. If you want to visit the village, please dress modestly: wear a t-shirt and shorts or trousers if you are a man, wear knee length skirt or trousers and a not too revealing shirt if you are a woman. This is actually a perfect occasion to wear kanga or kikoy.
Children and adults sometimes approach you to buy shells. Many shells are on the list of protected species and most western countries are very strict and will confiscate with a fine.
When should I come?
Come whenever you can every season has something to recommend it. Although the weather does vary from year to year there are 4 main seasons:
'Musimi' in late December, January and February is Zanzibar’s short dry season and the hottest time of year. It’s normally around 29°C but can get as hot as 39°C. The weather is very calm, humid and the ocean is flat like a mirror.
'Masiki' in April-May is the time when heavy rain is most likely. If you do not mind sheltering when there is a torrential downpour it can be a magical time to be here, as the earth and wildlife heaves a sigh of relief as its thirst is quenched.
'Kipupwe' from June to September is the coolest driest time of year. In July the Kusini trade winds may sometimes bring leaden skies and wild spectacular seas. But they also bring humpback whales, the best chances to see them are July, August, September.
'Mvuli' from September to December brings the short rains. These rains are usualy much lighter and the sunny intervals much longer than is the long rains. The weather and ocean are clear and calm.
What about community relations?
Since we first arrived in Kizimkazi we have made a big effort to build a positive relationship with the local community and to have a constructive impact on the area. We believe the village should benefit from our success and your stay. Although education levels are generally low in this part of Zanzibar we make every effort to recruit local staff where possible. At the moment, at least 70% of all our staff is from Kizimkazi and all our staff is from Zanzibar. Well…except for our assistant manager Mwona, who is from Moshi.
We also help with local projects like water supply, medical facilities and schools. We organize a guided village tours allowing you to experience and see the village life and its history. For this we ask a donation which we will use for the various projects. The village walks create a connection between the lodge, its guest and the local community.
Comments/questions/suggestions/complaints
Any kind of feedback is welcome…. We love our lodge , we think it’s really good, but we would still like to make it better. The only person who knows how we can make it better for you is…. you. So if something isn’t right, or you have a suggestion, don't wait, tell us straight away. If we can we will adjust things straight away. If it something more complex we will act on it ASAP and we will have it sorted for your next visit.