A perfect location to enjoy the wonders of Zanzibar. Located less than one hour from the capital Stone Town on the famed Matemwe Beach. A warm, calm lagoon and 10 kilometres of powder-white sands and tropical weather.

We are a beachside sanctuary, your place in the sun, an ocean of calm away from the stress of modern life. An idyllic place to unwind following a Tanzanian bush safari, or as a stand-alone Zanzibar beach holiday.

HODI HODI (“Hello! may I come in?” in Kiswahili) is a boutique-style owner-managed trio of beach houses. Built in a colonial Arabic style, set in tropical gardens, it is just footsteps away from the famed powder-white sands and palm-fringed shores of Matemwe beach, Zanzibar Island.

Behind every great venture, there are interesting people.

The Hodi Hodi story began over 100 years ago when economic migrants from war-torn Europe set off on boat trips to East Africa to try to make a new life.

There followed tales of agriculture, mining, the ‘lunatic express’ East African railway, early wildlife and natural history documentaries, veterinary laboratories, colonial administration, pioneering coastal tourism, the first forays into mainframe computer installations, amateur dramatics, developing education, the canning of pineapples… and many, many safaris. During this time, the old protectorates and colonies of East Africa fought and won their modern-day independence.

Fast-forward 3 generations to the Bishop family, born in Zanzibar territory, educated in Kenya and the UK, meeting with the Haylocks who farmed on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro – and bring years of solid bush knowledge and expertise to the mix – thus the partnership and adventure continue.

Hodi Hodi is family owned and run, private and caring, mixed with local knowledge and a love for sharing our adventures and stories.

Social, cultural and environmentally responsible tourism is not only about the people who live in the places we visit but also about leaving a positive impact on the environment. We support the local economy by both employing locally and sourcing our supplies as much as possible from the local villages. We assist in projects like schools, clinics, fresh water and supporting local micro-businesses. Shells and coral should stay where they belong, and it is against the law for guests to purchase products made from ivory, endangered species, hard woods, or ancient artefacts.

We would like to thank the wonderful people of East Africa for their kind and happy hospitality, which we try to emulate in our bush camp and beach houses in Tanzania, hoping we can reflect some of the warmth and generosity that we have received.

We all asked the question – ‘Hodi Hodi?’ In Swahili – may I come in? And the answer was, and still is, ‘Karibu’ – Welcome.

A holiday that contrasts the mud, dust & excitement of an African safari adventure with a relaxing stay in a tropical paradise, on the most beautiful beach in Zanzibar.

Watch the sunset in the African Bush and see it rise from the Indian Ocean.