Fanjove Island Lodge. What We Think. Most of the time, a private island in Tanzania with 17 beds and nice beaches costs more than $2,000 per person per night. Fanjove Private Island has changed the rules by giving people a beautiful piece of wild Africa for a lot less money. Fanjove is a barefoot luxury paradise that people often call “beach-chic.” It was just rebuilt to compete with its neighbor Mnemba, but it doesn’t cost nearly as much. The key is to keep things simple, and this beautiful private island is our idea of paradise.

Fanjove Private Island Lodge: What You Need to Know

As soon as you get on the plane in Dar Es Salaam and fly south, away from all the other people going north to Zanzibar, you know you are going somewhere special. This is made even better by the short boat ride across the water from Songo Songo airport, where you can just barely make out the bandas against the forest.

The land is owned by Selous Safari Company, the same people who own the wonderful Siwandu in Selous and the wonderful Jongomero in Ruaha. We’re happy to say that Fanjove has the same feel. The rooms that were just remade look both rustic and fancy. There are 10 new houses, and each one has its own private beach pavilion with sunbeds.

The charm of being open to the outside paradise is still there. The bandas are perfect for people who still want to live a simple life like Robinson Crusoe, whether they are secretly or not. That being said, this is not the place for you if you want TVs, clean stone lines, and swimming pools.

The beach is one of the best in East Africa, and it’s much better than any beach in Zanzibar’s mainland. Snorkelers can see parts of the coral reef that haven’t been seen before. Other common things to do at Fanjove are sunset dhow trips, kayaking, sandbank picnics, and paddleboarding.

The service and food are both great. Fresh fish is caught almost every day and cooked in a way that is a mix of Swahili and Western. The 19th-century lighthouse that was recently fixed up has been turned into a signature restaurant where you can enjoy a drink at sunset.

Fanjove isn’t for everyone, but now is your chance to live like Robinson Crusoe on a beautiful tropical island if you’ve ever felt like leaving everything behind. And here, they don’t need to be saved because it’s only a 40-minute trip from Dar Es Salaam. If you want an exciting holiday in Tanzania, you don’t need to look any further. If you’d like to learn more about other choices, though, check out our blog post about the best honeymoon spots on Zanzibar and the islands nearby.

Because Fanjove is so close to Dar es Salaam, it’s the best place to end a trip through southern Tanzania. It doesn’t matter if you choose to go to Selous, Ruaha, or both. Fanjove will make sure that you end your vacation or honeymoon on some of the most beautiful beaches in the Indian Ocean. Having your own private island in the Indian Ocean is the best way to end a trip you will never forget.

Since Fanjove is owned by the Selous Safari Company, there are some great deals that mix Selous and Ruaha with Fanjove. You should talk to one of our experts to find out what is possible.