The authentic village of Matemwe

Long walks along the seafront, bike rides, scooter rides, lounging on the beach, snorkelling or scuba diving - Matemwe offers a host of great ways to discover the beauty of Zanzibar. The beach is long and wide. At low tide, you can walk a long way to discover crabs, octopus, starfish and other curiosities hiding in the rocks at the start of the coral reef.

What tourists commonly call Matemwe is in fact a conglomeration of 4 villages: Kijambani, Kigomani, Matemwe and Kilimajuu. If you feel like it, you can reach these 4 villages on foot, walking along the beach for a beautiful stroll of around 3 hours. Matemwe has the longest beach in Zanzibar, stretching for more than 10 kilometres. It is also rumoured to be the most beautiful on the island. But don't forget that the beaches in the north-east of the island are subject to very high tides. So it's only possible to swim at high tide. Low tide gives way to a vast expanse of white sand, a favourite playground for children hunting crabs.

Along this beautiful white expanse, it's not uncommon to come across "beach boys" sailing along the beach in search of tourists looking to buy a few pieces of Masai handicraft. Don't hesitate to call on them if you're looking for a good deal on excursions, such as a day trip to Mnemba Atoll.

Matemwe used to be a desert. But today the village is dotted with more and more luxury hotels and holiday clubs. Around here, you won't see many locals on the beach. In fact, the villages are kept away from the beaches by large concrete walls built around the hotels. So wouldn't it be a good idea to immerse yourself in the local culture? Why not explore the village of Matemwe? You will no doubt be surprised by the contrast between hotels and humble villages with no running water. But don't hesitate to try and make contact with the local population by learning a few words of Kiswahili, for example. And if you can't speak, remember that a smile is worth a thousand words. What's more, the people of Zanzibar are extremely warm and welcoming. Take the opportunity to find a nice little place for lunch. You'll be sure to get a taste of the local cuisine. Wandering between the banco huts (traditional houses made of earth and straw) is an excellent way to get a real feel for village life. And don't forget that the population is mainly Muslim, so be careful what you wear. Don't explore the area in shorts with your shirt off.

Finally, why not take a trip to the daily fish market at Kigomani, north of Matemwe. Here you can watch the auction of the day's catch, with the highest bidder taking the prize. Sometimes you'll find some really big fish, like manta rays! Here and there, you'll see children beating octopus with sticks to soften them up, and mamas selling food.

So, even if the hotels have changed the surrounding area, they haven't totally altered the landscape or village life. Matemwe still enjoys a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Walking along the beach, you can still hear the sand crunching under your feet. The sound of nature, not drowned out by the noisy parties that can be found in the west of the island. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to go for long bike rides, which are often on loan from the hotels.