Villa Bahati, Villa Kikadini and Villa Maroc

Villa Kikadini, Villa Bahati and Villa Maroc are three quaint Zanzibari Villas situated in the small rural village of Jambiani on the Southeast coast of Zanzibar. The village is approximately 60km from Stonetown by road and relatively easy to reach. The first 53km stretch is on good tarmac but the last 7km is on pretty rough dirt road. This shouldn’t put you off however, as it adds to the rustic character of the place. 

The Jambiani village falls within a 3km stretch of the palm-lined beachfront and is said to have a total population of 6 000. 

The villas are run by Norwegian team, Sylvia and Torgier, who started out by renovating the property’s Bahati House and turning it into a simple and affordable guesthouse. They soon realised the potential of the area and began to build the two villas of Kikadini and Maroc (six more are planned for the future).

While the three villas are quite differently built and decorated, they all offer exceptional service and great comfort. Kikadini is a single unit that sleeps a maximum of 6 people and therefore ideal for small groups, families or a romantic couple. Villa Bahati is slightly larger with five rooms which can be rented out individually, or as a set for larger groups, while Villa Maroc is truly romantic and specifically designed as a honeymoon suite.

The villas are understated and uncomplicated, yet very appealing and comfortable. They are built among scenic palm trees and face the picture-perfect white beach. You won’t find any creature comforts like pools, pool bars, air-conditioning, television sets or mini-bars here – and no cocktail umbrellas. But that’s what makes this place different from all the luxury hotels and resorts out there. Here you will become part of the simple life, and you’re sure to fall in love with it.

All three villas pride themselves on their high standards, ‘we-fix’ attitude, their exceptionally friendly staff and their great chef. 
They have a modest staff complement of eight who go out of their way to make your stay unforgettable. Joseph, the tiny chef is just amazing and can cook up a storm. What their menu definitely lacks in quantity he makes up for in quality!
The villas offer spectacular sunrises and complete privacy in an idyllic beachfront setting. If at all possible, try to book your stay to coincide with the full moon. It is simply spectacular to witness the moonrise over the Indian Ocean. 
It’s hard to believe that this piece of paradise is situated in the middle of an African Village. It feels more like you’re in a deserted island paradise.
The village itself is open to tourists and offer a good experience of rural African life. The houses resemble ruins and are built from coral rock and limestone with palm leaf or tin roofs. The village has running water and electricity, but few villagers are hooked up. There are schools, clinics and many ‘Hakuna Shops’ – roughly translated as ‘they don’t have’ shops, and best describes their limited selection of products. The village is largely undeveloped and quite poor, but safe for tourists to visit as they don’t have any serious crime. 
Villas Kikadini, Bahati and Maroc are the ideal destinations for seasoned travellers, adventurers and true romantics. If you’re after an unspoilt simple way of life with just the right amount of great service and good food – these three villas won’t disappoint. 

The ‘hotel’ consists of three pretty villas.

The first, Villa Bahati is a small and personal guesthouse that sleeps up to 10 people. The rooms and en-suite bathrooms are Moroccan inspired and give a true African feel to the place. Each of the five rooms (four twins and one double) has a unique look and forms a self-contained unit around the central patio on the first floor. The sultan-style beds are beautifully draped with mosquito nets and the rooms have ceiling fans to keep you cool. On the second floor there’s a massive terrace that houses a lounge and a restaurant. They also have a pretty front garden facing the beach that creates a real homely atmosphere. Whether you choose to simply inhabit one of these rooms during your stay or to rent the whole villa for yourself, family and friends – you’re sure to have an enjoyable experience. 

The second Villa, Villa Kikadini has a real ‘sultan palace’ feel to it. The architecture is a blend of African and Arabic styles and makes for a magical atmosphere. Kikadini is ideal for families as it has two beachfront en-suite master bedrooms with beautiful views of the white sands and the turquoise waters, as well as one smaller room, the Giraffe Room with a separate bathroom. The master bedrooms are large and come equipped with big sultan beds and draped mosquito nets (only one of these rooms has a ceiling fan), while the Giraffe room has a smaller double bed and a ceiling fan (this one is ideally suited to young adults). The villa also has its own huge private patio where you can spend hours just lounging around or reading a good book. 

There are no televisions, air-conditioners or mini-bars, but instead a truly rustic Zanzibari villa. Kikadini can accommodate two to six people and offers complete privacy in this small corner of paradise. There are three bathrooms to ensure your comfort and privacy and you can even have your own private chef at your disposal. For the romantically inclined, there is an intimate 2nd floor terrace with great views of the beautiful surrounds. 

Villa Maroc has recently been completed and is a honeymooner’s dream. It has two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and sleeps 2 to 4 guests. The villa has a really romantic open air bathtub and a private roof terrace with fantastic views of the starry skies at night.