Thanda Island

Thanda Island presents the epitome of tropical luxury accommodation with the exuberantly appointed 5-suite villa, situated in its own marine reserve. A celestial white interior colour pallet compliments the pristine blues of the encompassing sky and ocean, amplifying the sensation of residing amid a pristine island paradise. The villa features relaxed living and sleeping areas, an indoor aquarium, a variety of musical instruments, a magnificent wine collection, a glass rim-flow swimming pool, an air-conditioned gym, a library complete with an extensive Ernest Hemingway book collection, and a wraparound dining area with 180-degree views of the ocean. The five en-suite bedrooms are air-conditioned with king-size beds. If required, additional beds for children can be set up in bedroom suites or the library. This unit can accommodate a maximum of 18 guests.

Amenities Include:

• En-suite bathrooms
• 5-suite
• King sized beds
• Indoor and al fresco shower facilities
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Swimming pool
• Lounge area
• Aquarium
• Library
• Air-conditioning

Chef Melissa works alongside Sous Chef Damoder ‘D’ Juma from Mafia Island to delight guests with the freshest and most delicious cuisine you will find on Thanda Island. Everything 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 hand-make the ice cream, sorbet, yogurt, and muesli.

Seafood lovers are in for a treat like no other with a delectable menu of freshly procured crustation dishes prepared by masters of ocean cuisine. 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 that you may catch yourself, including oysters freshly picked from Thanda Island.

Join the master oyster pickers on an oyster hunt as they remove them from the rocks and open them for you to enjoy on the spot with a glass of the finest champagne. The ultimate activity for those oyster lovers who wish to take their culinary adventures to new heights.

This delicious and engaging pizza making activity aims to get everyone involved. Stationed in the al fresco dining area, where a traditional hand-built Italian pizza oven lies in wait, you have the chance to test your culinary skills with the authentic ingredients imported from Italy such as flour, cheeses, original prosciutto di Parma, cured hams and meats, artichokes and fresh tomatoes and herbs from the island herb garden.

If you desire a taste of authentic East African cuisine, crafted from the finest locally sourced ingredients then why not indulge yourself in a feast that’s both delicious and culturally enlightening. 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 Africa. You and your friends are offered the exotic experience of Arabian nights with a themed evening of indulgence, with chiffon drapes, incense, Afghan rugs, low tables, Arabian music, and culinary delights.

Explore the reefs around your island in a kayak, sailboat or on your stand-up paddleboard. You also have the opportunity to organise a sailing trip on a traditional Arab fishing dhow. Enjoy a power ride on a jet-ski or go wakeboarding behind a speedboat named ‘Island Princess.’

Take note all scuba diving enthusiasts and ocean connoisseurs, as a range of exciting diving activities can be arranged with Mafia Island Diving, Thanda Island’s 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 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.

Thanda Island’s resident snorkelling guide is on-hand to take you on several different snorkelling adventures around the Island. All ages and novices are welcome to join the action. 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 needlefish and cornet fish.

If you would like to try your hand big game fishing, Thanda Island’s captain and fishing guide will lead your fishing expedition on the robust seafaring vessel Real Magic, where you will have the opportunity to seek out iconic catch-and-release species or bring home the catch of the day for talented chefs to prepare for lunch or dinner at your private villa. Island 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 is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows you to become intimately close with these gentle giants of the aquatic world. These majestic creatures are the largest fish in the world (growing up to 18-metres long) and categorised by the IUCN as vulnerable to extinction It’s a privileged experience to see these beautiful creatures up close and personal. You can either swim with them or view them from the luxury adventure vessel, ably commandeered by a trusted island captain. Interactions are an incredible part of the Thanda Island experience. Whale sharks feed just south of the Island from October to March.

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 music to choose from. Sip on champagne and enjoy Island delicacies as you explore the magnificent marine reserves on this exclusive and luxurious marine island excursion.

One of the most popular excursions is the Chole Island Tour. Thanda partner with our agents on nearby Chole Island who take you on a community-based and historical journey to the east side of Mafia Island. Weather permitting, the journey from Thanda Island takes about an hour and includes an experience of a traditional Arab dhow: the sea-going vessel used along this coastline for thousands of years.

Explore Tanzania’s thriving harbour capital of Dar es Salaam, or ‘Dar’ as it is called, with its colourful mix of African, Arabic, Indian, British and German architecture and culture. Experience the fishermen bringing in their daily catch and shop for intriguing African fabrics and antiques from the markets. Helicopter visits and overnight stays in Dar can be arranged prior to booking.

From ancient times, cloves, peppers, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg from India, Indonesia and Malaysia were brought to Zanzibar by wooden dhows sailing the monsoon winds. Spice farming is the mainstay of Zanzibar today. Experience a spice tour and the mystique of the old city of Stone Town. Helicopter or fixed-wing charter plane visits or an overnight stays in Zanzibar can be arranged prior to booking.

Mafia Island is the closest inhabited island to Thanda Island. You can sail you over to Mafia for a day’s exploration of the Eleventh Century ruins, visit the village communities and traditional boat-building craftsmen who use hand tools and hand-forged nails, or simply enjoy the sights. Road safaris around Mafia in the island’s legendary Landrover taxis are another option. Visit villages famous for their clay pots, ukili mats and coconut plantations.

One of the nine islands in the Mafia Island archipelago is Juani Island, with its extraordinary natural, amazon-esque channel and blue lagoon on the eastern side of Mafia Island. On board a traditional Arab dhow you will experience stunning views of the southern part of the archipelago as you sail up the Juani Island channel with its azure waters, bordered by lush mangrove forests and populated by a fascinating variety of bird species. The journey takes you to the blue lagoon, which, with its sandy bottom and shallow waters is the perfect place for a refreshing swim with unimaginable views.

In the early mornings, late afternoons, or evenings (when it isn’t too hot) you may wish to partake in a game of tennis or volleyball on Thanda Island’s 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, 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 enjoying tea or cocktails.

For those who wish to stay on top of their exercise routines and stay active throughout their time on Thanda Island, you’re free to utilise your own private air-conditioned Thanda Villa Gym for all types of training. A wide range of equipment is available for you, from running and bicycle machines to weight training and boxing equipment. Irrespective of your fitness level, there are options to suit everyone. The gym is large enough to accommodate groups who can exercise simultaneously if you so choose.

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 Thanda Island. This is an ideal home for them, with excellent food sources, and serves as an appropriate environment for them 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 view interactions with their young.

On-island massage specialists have created a suite of special Thanda Island massages, facials and body treatments and therapies that can be booked according to your needs. The therapists are brought in from nearby Mafia Island or 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 orchestrated on the beach, in the privacy of your villa, or wherever you choose. The Island’s amenities are provided by Healing Earth, market leaders in holistic African beauty and wellness care.

Your personal wellness specialist will guide you into a more profound sense of relaxation and aliveness during your stay on Thanda Island. By combining different techniques, they will help you release tension, manage stress, have more fun, enhance your mental strength, emotional resilience, and physical fitness, among other things. There is no better place to connect to your deeper self than on your own peaceful Thanda Island.

The Thanda Island team participates in a range of social upliftment programmes on Mafia Island, which has approximately 60,000 people. The closest community village on Mafia Island is Ras Mbisi, eight nautical miles from Thanda Island. Thanda are committed to the education of young people concerning sustainable resource utilisation and fish harvesting, and education in marine conservation and the development of healthy sporting activities, such as football. These community-based initiatives allow Thanda to contribute indefinitely to the future of youth on the island by imparting priceless skills relating to conservation and sustainable practice that will benefit the island for years to come.

One of Thanda’s community partners, Sea Sense, works closely with coastal communities in Tanzania to conserve and protect endangered marine species. Through training, education and employment, many coastal communities are now participating in marine conservation initiatives. Thanda recently provided sponsorship to the local hospital for the purchase of much-needed medical supplies.

Community upliftment is part of Thanda’s DNA, and they engage with the people of Tanzania as they do with the Zulu communities neighbouring their other property, Thanda Safari, in Northern Zululand, South Africa. Such initiatives aim to lift indigenous people out of poverty by assisting with essentials relating to education, careers, and sponsorship, in addition to locally run community projects.

Thanda Island is wholly committed to the conservation and preservation of the Coral Reef and its surrounding Marine life. This includes the region’s sea turtles and whale sharks. Thanda Island is situated within the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, and Thanda’s team is partnering with the Tanzanian Marine Parks and the leading NGO, SeaSense, on a range of marine conservation and education programmes in the region. These include research and conservation projects on the sea turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, coral reefs, and marine reserves.

Having looked beyond the grid for power solutions, Thanda Island is entirely sustainable by the sun. Following a similar model to the many eco destinations found within Southern Africa – albeit, on a considerably larger scale, Thanda Island utilises a specially instated solar farm to generate electricity for the private island’s many facilities. This includes power for the large 18 guest capacity villa, as well as the various outlets and facilities scattered throughout the island.

Five species of marine turtles can be found in Tanzania’s waters: green, hawksbill, loggerhead, olive Ridley and leatherback turtles. All are categorised by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as endangered or critically endangered species. Sightings are often frequent around Thanda Island, and you will surely be awestruck by the sight of these majestic creatures. The focus on re-creating a conservation haven on the Island has proved successful; the first green turtle hatchlings were born at the end of May 2017. It’s hoped that increasing numbers of turtles will return to nest on the Island in the coming seasons. It is still a rare occurrence and only seasonal, however, if you are lucky, you may witness this unique event during your stay.

Guests are invited to participate in a citizen science programme where photos you take of the whale sharks near Thanda Island can be uploaded to ecoocean.org and whaleshark.org. Photo identification of the whale sharks, each with a unique pattern of ‘fingerprint’, is used to study their little-known feeding, migratory and breeding habits. Thanda’s marine guides are equipped with GoPro cameras to record your time with the whale sharks.