Fanjove Island, SongoSongo Archipelago
Fanjove Island, SongoSongo Archipelago
Fanjove Island, SongoSongo Archipelago, Tanzania
Tanzania
Fanjove Island is 140km from Dar es Salaam, south of Mafia Archipelago and at less than 1 kilometer long and with only six bandas, it offers guests an exclusive private island experience away from the crowds.
After a short flight from Dar es Salaam to SongoSongo island, guests will be picked up by boat to complete the journey to Fanjove, where your shoes will be instantly discarded to feel the warmth of the sand between your toes.
The island was previously uninhabited, save for some local fishermen, who used it as an occasional fishing base. This is the first time tourists have been able to stay and explore its beautiful beaches, coastline, and wildlife. The island is home to thousands of sea birds, nesting turtles, and coconut crabs. Guests can explore the area with sandbank picnics, kayaking around the island, snorkelling, and diving virgin coral reefs, and of course there is always the choice to simply relax with a book on a beach lounger.
Fanjove Island at a Glance
Lodge Dates
June - April
Closest Airstrip
SongaSonga
Families
Children aged six and older, with a limit of two children (aged 6-11)
Popular Activities
Exceptional diving & snorkelling
Turtle hatching, dolphin & whale watching excursions
Sandbar & Sunset Dhow trips
Fishing
Kayaking
Accommodation & Amenities
6 eco-friendly bandas
En suite bathrooms
Solar Powered
Beach bar and restaurant
Guest Reviews
I am sipping a freshly harvested coconut, surrounded by calming shades of turquoise sea and white-sand shell-strewn beaches. The stress of the era of Covid fades to a distant memory on gentle tradewinds. There are 6 beach 'shacks' on the uninhabited island, each with a 4-poster bed & upper-viewing deck to enjoy the million-dollar views. Step off the wooden deck onto soft white sand & wade into 28 degree waters. With no schedule, I slip into island time. Doing as much or as little as I fancy. Swimming at sunrise or in the bright moonlight. Having a go at SUP & kayaking. Snorkelling Fanjove’s 11 km of growing reef with its purple and orange corals. It was incredible to flipper swim from the beach and be surrounded by 100's of tropical fish illuminated by shards of sunlight. Divemaster Abdullah pointed at octopus, lion fish, clownfish and angelfish. We went out on an ocean wilderness excursion, passing local fisherman in traditional dhow sailboats. They kindly pointed us to two pods of spinner dolphins! I have video footage of playful dolphins. The whole team are beautiful people, from the welcoming & attentive Jean & Alzaane to the friendly & unobtrusive service of John and Nasri The chefs Issa & Musa Swahili-fusion sea-fare is sublime. Trust me you, are going to ask for the recipes of their freshly caught calamari, shellfish, grouper and snapper. This is a place where you can breath... Fanjove Island is pure tropical, barefoot freedom - single0nsafari
After our Safari we finished our honeymoon trip with a stay at Fanjove Island. The Island could be directly put out of the Robinson Crusoe novel: white sand, clear water and lots of lovely ghost and hermit crabs.
There are many opportunties to spend time like snorkelling or ocean excursions, but we decided to focus on the most essential things: enjoying the great meals, relaxing and reading books. Our personal highlight was the candle light dinner in front of the lighthouse - Kristina Tischler
barefoot paradise. you feel completely at one with nature. The bandas are beautifully designed, very comfortable, and with exquisite views to the ocean. The hosts and all the staff delightful, nothing too much trouble. Great snorkelling, great eating, great dolphin watching. Fanjove is top of my list of places I love -Philippa T
