Karafuu Village Beach Resort and Spa – Pingwe, Zanzibar
26 Junior Suites
Built under “makuti” thatch and furnished with traditional Zanzibar furniture, these junior suites facing the sea, under a beautiful palm grove or on a small hill comprise: entrance through private
garden, breathtaking view veranda, mosquito net, spacious bedroom, dressing room, bathroom with shower, ceiling fan, air conditioning, television, Wi-Fi connection, hair-dryer, telephone, teapot, room safe and minibar.
40 Cottages
Built under “makuti” thatch and furnished with traditional Zanzibar furniture, these cottages comprise: entrance through private garden, breathtaking view veranda, mosquito net, ample
bedroom, dressing room, bathroom with shower, ceiling fan, independent air conditioning, television, wi-fi connection, hairdryer, telephone, teapot, room safe and minibar.
38 Garden Rooms
Built as well under “makuti” thatch and furnished with traditional Zanzibar furniture, these rooms comprise bedroom, wardrobe, bathroom with shower, balcony, mosquito net, ceiling fan,
independent air conditioning, television, wi-fi connection, hairdryer, telephone, teapot room safe and minibar.
1 Suite room
It is situated along the beachfront under a beautiful palm grove with a spectacular view. Entrance through a private garden and direct to an ample living room with two sofas and living corner, one big bedroom, dressing room, bathroom, front sea view veranda with 2 wooden chaises-longues, table and one soft local sofa and a private external shower. The Suite is provided with mosquito nets, ceiling fan, independent air conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, television, minibar, tea/coffee maker, safe box and WI.FI connection.
Food at Karafuu is good. The resort’s 3 restaurants result in plenty of choices. Breakfast is not exciting but is filling and fresh; bread, fruits and pastries with hot options available (eggs and bacon). The included dinner is an extensive buffet. There are always meat, fish and vegetarian options on offer as well as various salads and desserts. Dinner can be eaten outdoors, but one must be prepared to eat either early or late to secure an alfresco spot. Live entertainment accompanies dinner nightly.
The hotel also offers a choice of two bars. Drinks are good and the wine list, though not as extensive at other resorts, is adequate. Drinks are not cheap at the hotel, however. Many guests choose to explore the bars at other resorts in the area. With most packages, bottled water is not free. Guests coming from Stone Town might consider buying large bottles to bring with them.
Karafuu is ideally suited to those who are interested in relaxing, diving, snorkelling and enjoying the in-house entertainments (including a disco).
The beach at Pingwe is great for strolling along and one can watch the local fishermen at work. Hardened sea-swimmers will be fine bathing, but those with young children simply wishing to take a dip may feel safer sticking to the hotel’s large pool as the sea is only accessible down a slippery concrete jetty. However, the same living reef that makes relaxed sea-bathing difficult does prove delightful for snorkelling.
There are tennis courts, spots for beach volleyball and water aerobics lessons for the sporty and for the less so, a TV corner and pool table as well as Wi-Fi access. The hotel also has a massage room for those who want to de-stress.
Various excursions can be arranged through the hotel, though these may prove cheaper to arrange independently. Furthermore, the hotel’s remote location does make such trips costly.
Other facilities offered by the Karafuu include a boutique (more expensive than many of the market stalls and shops of Zanzibar), conference centre, exchange service (rates tend to be far worse than at banks on the island and at Dar Es Saleem) onsite PADI dive centre and wedding and honeymoon services.
