Important information
We are happy to announce some of our owners and partners have agreed to the following temporary updates to cancellation policies which will be in place for all bookings made up until 1st September 2020.
1. Free cancelation prior to the 1st of September 2020 due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions with immediate return of any funds paid to the clients.
2. If the resort is closed or due to government restrictions on travel due to Covid-19 and the clients cannot travel to the property a full refund will be provided to the client.
CONTACT OUR TEAM FOR DETAILS
1. Free cancelation prior to the 1st of September 2020 due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions with immediate return of any funds paid to the clients.
2. If the resort is closed or due to government restrictions on travel due to Covid-19 and the clients cannot travel to the property a full refund will be provided to the client.
CONTACT OUR TEAM FOR DETAILS
Thanda Island
Tanzania
2 villas and 2 bandas / 7 bedrooms / Sleeps 18
A MAGICAL PLACE OF INCOMPARABLE EXPERIENCES
$ 25 000 PER NIGHT - MINIMUM FIVE-NIGHT STAY
2 villas and 2 bandas / 7 bedrooms / Sleeps 18
A MAGICAL PLACE OF INCOMPARABLE EXPERIENCES
$ 25 000 PER NIGHT - MINIMUM FIVE-NIGHT STAY
Thanda Island started with a dream to find a small, remote, uninhabited Tropical Island off the coast of East Africa. Today, it is one of the world's most exclusive island getaways, a paradise for you to enjoy in complete privacy with family and friends. A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional Bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania. Situated in your own marine reserve, you can swim with the gentlest giant of the ocean, the whale shark, and watch sea turtles nesting. Here, you can rest, rejuvenate and enjoy adventure sports in a world where shades of turquoise infuse your days and tropical spices your nights.
Nestled within Tanzania's Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, opposite the Rufiji River Delta and the Selous National Park, Thanda Island is 5.5 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, which is 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.
Nestled within Tanzania's Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, opposite the Rufiji River Delta and the Selous National Park, Thanda Island is 5.5 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, which is 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.
The villa
When you first set eyes on the Villa, you will know you are going to have the most beautiful time. The home surrounds you in coastal whites, greens and blues for a perfect East African summer, with sublime living and sleeping areas leading directly onto the outdoor pool and living area, surrounded by turquoise seas and silken white sands.
The Villa offers relaxed living and sleeping areas, with everything you would want from an extraordinary beach house, including an indoor aquarium, a variety of musical instruments, magnificent wine collection, glass rim-flow swimming pool, air-conditioned gym, library, including an extensive Ernest Hemingway book collection, and a wraparound dining area with its 180-degree view of the ocean. The five en-suite bedrooms are air-conditioned with king-size beds, and an idyllic island feel. If required, additional beds for children can be set up in bedroom suites or the library.
The Villa offers relaxed living and sleeping areas, with everything you would want from an extraordinary beach house, including an indoor aquarium, a variety of musical instruments, magnificent wine collection, glass rim-flow swimming pool, air-conditioned gym, library, including an extensive Ernest Hemingway book collection, and a wraparound dining area with its 180-degree view of the ocean. The five en-suite bedrooms are air-conditioned with king-size beds, and an idyllic island feel. If required, additional beds for children can be set up in bedroom suites or the library.
The bandas
Thanda Island also features two traditional open-air Tanzanian Bandas, making the island a nine-bedroom destination entirely for you. Each Banda has an en-suite master bedroom on the ground floor and two single beds with en-suite bathroom on the first floor. Each story of the Bandas is 72 square metres with intelligent use of the space to maximise the indoor-outdoor flow. Beautiful, locally hand-carved furniture and fabrics from Mafia Island in soft, natural colours enhance the stylish, authentic feel.
If you have additional family or you would like to experience traditional Tanzanian living during your stay, the beautiful double-storey Bandas offer other, unique living quarters on the beach. Air-cooled, they are designed to meet your every comfort while retaining their authentic island feel.
If you have additional family or you would like to experience traditional Tanzanian living during your stay, the beautiful double-storey Bandas offer other, unique living quarters on the beach. Air-cooled, they are designed to meet your every comfort while retaining their authentic island feel.
DINING ISLAND-STYLE
EVERYTHING IS FRESH
The chefs set a high value on healthy food. Every meal they prepare is fresh, from herbs freshly picked from the Island herb garden to papayas, coconuts, watermelons and pineapples. They make their own coconut milk for the curries, and they handmake the ice cream, sorbet, yoghurt and muesli.
FISH AND SEAFOOD PARADISE
If you enjoy fish and seafood, this is paradise, and our chefs are fish and seafood masters: the menu includes fish cooked to perfection, fish carpaccio, sashimi, sushi, prawn curries, lobsters freshly caught off Mafia Island, mangrove crabs, tuna, red snappers and a choice of other sea-fresh fish, daily caught by you or our team, as well as seasonal oysters freshly-picked from Thanda Island.
THANDA ISLAND PIZZA
Pizza-making on our private island resort is part of the entertainment and everyone gets involved at the alfresco dining area, where there is a traditional hand-built Italian pizza oven. Here you can help to make the pizzas with a choice of delicious ingredients, including flour from Italy, delicious cheeses, original prosciutto di parma, cured hams and meats, artichokes, fresh tomatoes and fresh herbs from the island herb garden.
SWAHILI FEASTS
You can experience a Swahili feast, dedicated to the flavours and aromas of Tanzania, tickled with the spices from Zanzibar. Swahili curries, rice dishes, grills, local desserts, chai and more. Ancient Arabian culture is infused in East Arica, and we offer your friends and family an exotic experience of Arabian nights with a themed evening of indulgence, with chiffon drapes, incense, Afghan rugs, low tables, Arabian music and culinary delights.
The chefs set a high value on healthy food. Every meal they prepare is fresh, from herbs freshly picked from the Island herb garden to papayas, coconuts, watermelons and pineapples. They make their own coconut milk for the curries, and they handmake the ice cream, sorbet, yoghurt and muesli.
FISH AND SEAFOOD PARADISE
If you enjoy fish and seafood, this is paradise, and our chefs are fish and seafood masters: the menu includes fish cooked to perfection, fish carpaccio, sashimi, sushi, prawn curries, lobsters freshly caught off Mafia Island, mangrove crabs, tuna, red snappers and a choice of other sea-fresh fish, daily caught by you or our team, as well as seasonal oysters freshly-picked from Thanda Island.
THANDA ISLAND PIZZA
Pizza-making on our private island resort is part of the entertainment and everyone gets involved at the alfresco dining area, where there is a traditional hand-built Italian pizza oven. Here you can help to make the pizzas with a choice of delicious ingredients, including flour from Italy, delicious cheeses, original prosciutto di parma, cured hams and meats, artichokes, fresh tomatoes and fresh herbs from the island herb garden.
SWAHILI FEASTS
You can experience a Swahili feast, dedicated to the flavours and aromas of Tanzania, tickled with the spices from Zanzibar. Swahili curries, rice dishes, grills, local desserts, chai and more. Ancient Arabian culture is infused in East Arica, and we offer your friends and family an exotic experience of Arabian nights with a themed evening of indulgence, with chiffon drapes, incense, Afghan rugs, low tables, Arabian music and culinary delights.
SAILING, PADDLING AND KAYAKING
Explore the reefs around your island in a kayak, sailboat or on your stand-up paddle board. We can also organise a sailing trip on a traditional Arab fishing dhow. Enjoy a power ride on one of our jet-skis or go wake-boarding behind our speed boat, Island Princess.
SCUBA DIVING
If you enjoy scuba diving at any level, or you would like to learn to scuba dive, we will arrange this for you with Mafia Island Diving, our accredited 5-star dive partner at Chole Bay on nearby Mafia Island. All dives are done from traditional Arab dhows in the Mafia Island Marine Park. The largest marine protected area in the Indian Ocean, it offers some of the most spectacular diving off the East African Coast, including an intriguing diversity of coral reefs, five species of turtles and 400 species of enchanting reef fish.
SNORKELLING
We have a resident snorkelling guide on Thanda Island who can take you on seven different snorkelling adventures around our Island. This can be enjoyed by all ages and novices. Marine turtles have frequently been sighted during snorkels, along with plenty of exciting marine species, including trumpet fish, threespot dascyllus, blue spotted stingray, jewel damselfish, cleaner wrasse, goldbar wrasse, reef needle fish and cornet fish.
BIG GAME FISHING
If you would like to do some big game fishing, our captain and fishing guide will lead your fishing expedition on Real Magic to seek out iconic catch-and-release species or to bring home the catch of the day for our chefs to prepare for lunch or dinner at your private villa. Our guides are very passionate about all types of fishing and go out of their way to make sure you have the best possible experience. Children are also welcome to fish or learn how to fish. The fishing season is from September to March, with Sailfish from November to January.
SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS
One of the most emotional and spectacular ocean wonders you can ever experience is being up close with a whale shark, which can grow to an astonishing 18 metres. These harmless, gentle giants - the largest fish in the world and categorised by the IUCN as vulnerable to extinction - are an incredible part of the Thanda Island experience, as they feed just south of the Island from October to March. We are privileged to be able to share these beautiful creatures up close with you: you can either swim with them or view them from our luxury adventure vessel, ably commandeered by our trusted captain.
CRUISE THE ISLANDS
Cruise around Thanda Island and the surrounding islands in Thanda's boat, beautifully appointed with a luxurious cabin, cocktail bar, dedicated waiter and a music system with a wide range of song choice. Sip on champagne and enjoy Island delicacies as you explore the magnificent marine reserves.
TENNIS & VOLLEYBALL COURT
In the early mornings, late afternoons or evenings (when it isn't too hot) you might want to have a game of tennis or volleyball on our 16 x 35m artificial lawn court. It has white lines for tennis and yellow lines for volleyball. Constructed especially for your enjoyment on Thanda Island, it has night lights for those who would like to play after dark. We are fully equipped with rackets, balls and even partners and opponents if you need them. Alongside the tennis court is the gazebo where friends and family can cheer on the match, while having tea or cocktails.
VILLA GYM
We know that many of you enjoy your regular exercise and gym routine, and we have created your own private, air-conditioned Thanda Villa Gym for all types of training. We offer a wide range of equipment – from running machines and bicycle machines to weight training and boxing equipment. Irrespective of your fitness level, we have all sorts of options especially for you. The gym is large enough to accommodate groups who can exercise at the same time, if you so choose.
BIRD WALK
An interesting activity is the Thanda Island Egret Walk, where you head through the bush behind the Villa and onto a white sand trail to visit the white, grey and black Egrets that inhabit our private island. Thanda Island is an ideal home for them, with excellent fish, and they manage to hatch a great number of their delicate baby-blue eggs. At different times of the year you can watch them interacting with each other and with their young.
THE SPA
Our massage specialists have created a suite of special Thanda Island massages, facials and body treatments that can be booked according to your needs. The therapists are brought in from nearby Mafia Island or from Dar es Salaam. They use an exquisite range of non-allergic products to pamper your body to the full. Bearing in mind the absolute privacy you enjoy on the Island, your treatments can be done on the beach, in the privacy of your villa, wherever you choose. The Island's amenities are provided by Healing Earth, market leaders in holistic African beauty and wellness care.
YOGA, MEDITATION & REIKI
Your personal wellness specialist will guide you into a more profound sense of relaxation and aliveness during your stay on Thanda Island. Through a blend of different techniques, they will help you to release tension, manage stress, have more fun, enhance your mental strength, emotional resilience and physical fitness. There is no better place to connect to your deeper self than on your own peaceful Thanda Island.
Rate includes
- Exclusive use of the whole property including all amenities and facilities
- Accommodation in the private Villa and Bandas
- All meals and drinks, including Thanda's selection of wines, spirits, champagnes and cocktails
- All activities and facilities
- Return fixed wing transfers for all guests from Dar es Salaam to Mafia Island and boat transfers from Mafia Island to Thanda Island. Helicopter transfers are the most convenient and direct way to the Island. Rates to be quoted separately.
- Laundry(nodry-cleaningavailable)
- Local tax at 18%
All activities and facilities (include)
- Unlimited spa treatments
- Private dive charters (outsourced)
- Swimming with whale sharks (October-March)
- Snorkelling
- Sailing and deep sea fishing
- Jet skiing
- Kayaking, SUP boarding (Stand-up Paddling), wakeboarding, tubing and water skiing
- Beach volleyball
- Floodlit tennis court
- Yoga (on request)
- Airconditioned gym
- Wifi
Rates exclude
- Conservation Levy of $ 120 per person per stay
- Marine Park Levy of $ 23.60 per person per day
- Helicopter transfers
- Premium wines and champagnes
- Curios
- Gratuities
- Any other items of a personal nature
GETTING TO THANDA ISLAND
To get to Thanda Island, you fly directly to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam with Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Etihad Airlines or South African Airways. The following international airlines also fly into the region and use local airlines to fly to Dar es Salaam: Swiss Air and KLM. 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. These include 4, 6 or 8 seat helicopters which take 30 to 45 minutes. There is also the option of a 30-minute fixed-wing transfer in an 8 or 12 seat plane to Kilindoni and then a short boat ride of approximately 30-minutes to the island.
To get to Thanda Island, you fly directly to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam with Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Etihad Airlines or South African Airways. The following international airlines also fly into the region and use local airlines to fly to Dar es Salaam: Swiss Air and KLM. 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. These include 4, 6 or 8 seat helicopters which take 30 to 45 minutes. There is also the option of a 30-minute fixed-wing transfer in an 8 or 12 seat plane to Kilindoni and then a short boat ride of approximately 30-minutes to the island.
Find another island