The Island Pongwe Lodge

I had the most unforgettable dining experience at this restaurant. The setting is absolutely breathtaking – located on its own private island with perfect views in every direction, it feels like a hidden paradise. The food was incredible, with every dish beautifully prepared and bursting with flavor – truly world-class. What made the experience even more special was the service. Juma, our waiter, was exceptional. He was attentive, helpful, and genuinely friendly, making us feel welcome and taken care of throughout the evening. His professionalism and warmth added a personal touch that elevated the whole experience. This is not just a meal, but an experience I’ll remember forever. If you’re looking for a place that combines extraordinary food, stunning views, and outstanding service, this restaurant is absolutely perfect.

We booked a romantic dinner for two on the Pongwe Island Lodge. We only expected a table, two chairs and more of the amazing food & drink that we’d been served since we arrived. However, we arrived at 7:30pm to an array of flower petals delicately sprinkled on the steps, all the way up to the dinner table. The petals spelled out “I LOVE YOU” with various heart shapes too! There was an archway, beautiful decorated in MORE petals! We were greeted by a friendly waiter, who soon announced himself as “Juma”. Juma was unbelievable from the first second, until the last. He personally decorated the setting and was even waiting for us to arrive from 6:30pm… we arrived at 7:30pm, so clearly there was a miscommunication with our booking slot! His service was with a smile and he was knowledgable about the food, the island & the country. We had the most amazing dinner experience and Juma made it absolutely unforgettable! Thank you to Juma, Raphael and the rest of the Pongwe Island Lodge crew who cooked the food, made the drinks and made our stay and our evening so special!

One of the most incredible hotels. With only 6 rooms, it feels like you’re on a private island. The hotel also look after a couple of cats and dogs which made our trip even more special. All the staff were super helpful and kind. They even set up a romantic dinner for two on our last evening for no additional charge. We paid for full board which was completely worth it. The food was absolutely delicious and as part of the package we could have 3 courses for both lunch and dinner. We had all sorts of delicious seafood - lobster, crab, fish. I had a lovely full body massage which was set up outside my room with the ocean in the background. The hotel is in a quieter part of Zanzibar which we knew when we booked. Couldn’t fault the hotel at all, would highly recommend!

We just returned from an unforgettable 13-night stay at Pongwe Island Lodge in Zanzibar, and we couldn’t have dreamed of a better place to unwind. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Margarita, the lodge manager, whose kindness and professionalism truly reflect the quality of the entire team.|After our third night, we were pleasantly surprised with a complimentary upgrade to a stunning villa with ocean views. This gem was tastefully decorated in local style, featuring Maasai statues and traditional masks — a true immersion in Tanzanian culture. The villa was spacious, beautifully designed, impeccably clean, and well maintained.|The lodge is located on a private island and features only six accommodations, offering absolute peace and total privacy. If you’re looking to escape from the noise and crowds and fully reconnect with nature, this is the place for you.|The staff was incredibly attentive. Whether it was Raphael, Juma, Anna, Irina, Susana, Ignas, Charles, Amani, the housekeeping team, the security staff, or the kitchen crew — everyone contributed to making our stay seamless and special. A special thank-you to the head chef, who went out of her way to create diverse and high-quality meals throughout our long stay. When we mentioned we’d love to have Red Snapper, she and the team went above and beyond to prepare us a truly memorable dinner.|Margarita even surprised us with a complimentary day trip to the Gold Zanzibar Beach House in Kendwa, a magical experience that was a true highlight of our trip.|Everything — excursions, transfers, recommendations — was organized wonderfully. You simply get to relax and enjoy every moment while being guided by a caring and professional team.|We 100% recommend Pongwe Island Lodge to anyone seeking authenticity, relaxation, personalized service, and a paradise setting. The combination of comfort, understated luxury, and cultural richness is rare and precious.|We want to express our heartfelt thanks to Margarita and her exceptional team for making this such a magical experience. One thing is certain: we’ll be back as soon as we can!||Claire and Laurent

For my 50th birthday, my partner treated me to a week on this island paradise. As soon as informed, the staff made a point of marking the occasion by offering us three-quarters of our stay in the Sultan suite instead of the bungalow we had booked. We were also offered a bottle of wine or whatever else we chose.|We were impressed by the exceptional welcome we received from all the staff, who were constantly on hand to make our stay an unforgettable one.|Services such as massages are exceptional.the food is everytime a moment of discovery and real pleasure. Visits are organized down to the last detail to make every moment an exceptional one.|But above and beyond this paradise on earth, what we remember most of all was the warm welcome we received from these people, who have very little compared to what we have in France, but who nonetheless offered us all their warmth, kindness, happiness and smiles. I'll never forget my 50th birthday, that's for sure!|Michaela, Raphael, Anna, Maria, Susana, and all the others, be assured of our eternal gratitude and friendship.

This was a magical experience, the hotell itself is such a stunning place. The service is very good and attentive with such nice staff. A special thanks to Raphael who is very helpful. The food is excellent, we had full board which I would recommend. ||The room itself is nice but a bit to rustic, the lighting inside is subpar and the room is quite dark (although you spend most of the time on your own private patio so you barely notice). There was no schampoo or conditioner which is a negative.

An unforgettable experience for our honeymoon!|We were upgraded to a stunning 80m² villa, and every moment of our stay was pure magic. From the private, romantic dinner overlooking the ocean to the incredible restaurant and its delightful menu, everything was simply perfect.||The entire team treats you like royalty — always attentive, always smiling, always ready to make your stay unforgettable. A special thank you to Raphael, who was absolutely wonderful, ensuring every detail was taken care of and making us feel truly at home.||This is, without a doubt, our favorite place in Zanzibar. A magical setting, superb service, and memories we’ll cherish forever.

We were not guests at the hotel but visited the restaurant twice during our stay nearby because we thought the food, drink and service was so exceptional. The location really is amazing and is particularly atmospheric for dinner when the tide is low. The food was the best we had during our two-week honeymoon trip which took across Tanzania and Zanzibar - the bruschetta starter was particularly impressive. Amani was a very good waiter during our first visit. We were also very taken with the adorable cats who live on the island!