Thanda Private Island – From USD 40,750 per night

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A magical luxury private island experience.

THANDA ISLAND

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Thanda Island is an extraordinary private island sanctuary off the coast of Tanzania, surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the protected Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve. Since opening in 2016, it has repeatedly been recognised by the World Travel Awards as the World’s Leading Exclusive Private Island.

Reserved entirely for you, your family and friends, Thanda Island offers the rare freedom of having an island completely to yourselves. At its heart is the five-suite beachfront Villa, where each beautifully appointed, air-conditioned suite opens directly onto the beach. The Villa accommodates ten adults, with additional beds available for children, while two traditional open-air Tanzanian bandas offer another wonderfully authentic way to experience island life.

Days here unfold entirely at your own pace. Explore vibrant coral reefs while snorkelling or diving, venture into deeper waters for big-game fishing, spend time on or beneath the ocean, or simply surrender to the stillness of a place where there is nowhere else you need to be.

More than a private island, Thanda Island is a place to reconnect, with nature, with the people you love and with the simple pleasure of time completely your own. Adventure, privacy and conservation come together in one remarkable marine sanctuary, where the greatest luxury is the freedom to simply be. Welcome Home

Step into Thanda Island.

ACCOMMODATION

  • 1 Villa - 5 Suites
  • 2 Bandas - 2 Suites Each
  • Children of all ages welcome

Water Adventures

You have exclusive use of the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve surrounding Thanda Island and a superb choice of water and marine activities. A boathouse full of equipment is yours to enjoy, and a boatman is dedicated to you as your personal guide.

Excursions

Explore Tanzania and its islands, which speak of the region’s rich history, including the legendary Spice Island of Zanzibar. From the early 18th century, Zanzibar was the centre of trade on the East African coast as well as the Sultan of Oman’s Court and Capital. Discover marine turtles in the protected marine park of Chole Bay near Mafia Island, along with whale sharks. Explore eleventh-century ruins on Mafia and experience its traditional boat-building and clay pot craftsmen.

Island Activities

You’ll never find yourself wondering what to do on and around Thanda Island. Quite the opposite, we have made sure that all our guests – those who want to relax and those who want to be on the go all day – have everything they could wish for on a perfect private island.

Exotic Dining

Dining on Thanda Island Luxury Island is a taste adventure of the region’s delectable cuisine. Enjoy lunch al fresco on the beach or on a traditional Arab dhow. Indulge in ocean-fresh seafood and experience a Swahili feast dedicated to the flavours, spices and aromas of Tanzania. Join our Chefs in making your own Italian pizza, cooked in our hand-built pizza oven. Travel by boat for an adventure feast on neighbouring Mbarakuni Island, or gather around the Villa’s magnificent dining table for a royal feast.

Wellness

Wellness and happiness is the Thanda Island ethos and we go out of our way to ensure our guests experience a profound sense of wellbeing on Thanda Island. From our delicious, healthy dining to relaxing yoga sessions to our spa treatments, you’ll feel refreshed and revived here. Given the absolute privacy you enjoy on the Island, all treatments can be done on the beach, in the privacy of your suite or wherever you choose.

Rates & Packages.

Exclusive use of Thanda Island and the surrounding marine reserve is offered for a minimum of five nights. The Villa accommodates ten adults in five suites, with additional accommodation available for up to eight guests in two traditional Tanzanian Bandas (double-storey beach chalets) and a further six guests on the catamaran Umoja.

From USD 40 750 per night.

Find us.

THANDA ISLAND

Before settling in to your Bandas Bungalow or Villa you need to get to Thanda Island. To get to the island you fly directly to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. On landing at Dar es Salaam the Thanda Island team will meet you and accompany you through customs, ensuring a smooth, quick entry into this beautiful country. From here, there are several options for the transfer to Thanda Island. One is a helicopter transfer directly to the Island which takes approximately 45 minutes. The other one is a 30-minute fixed-wing transfer in an 8 or 12 seat plane to Mafia Island and then a short boat ride of approximately 30-minutes to the island.

Nestled within Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, opposite the Rufiji River Delta and the Selous National Park, Thanda Island is 5 hectares in size, 1,100 metres in circumference and 350 metres wide. It is 16 nautical miles or 30 kilometres east of the mainland of Tanzania, opposite the Rufiji River Delta, and located between the mainland and Mafia Island. (The name ‘Mafia’ is derived from the Arabic morfiyeh, meaning group or archipelago, and from the Swahili mahali pa afya, meaning a healthy dwelling-place.) Thanda Island is 7 degrees south of the equator and in the East African Time Zone, one to two hours ahead of the Central European Time Zone. It is surrounded by coral reefs, which protect the Island from massive waves and heavy seas.