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Voykit pocket guide · Tanzania
Matemwe
Matemwe is a quiet beach escape on Zanzibar's east coast. Two nights are enough for snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll and relaxing; add a third if you want a full day of diving or a trip to Stone Town.
Matemwe is one of Zanzibar's quieter coastal villages, with a long sandy beach, traditional fishing and seaweed farming. The main draw is the Mnemba Island marine area, a short boat ride away, offering some of the best snorkelling and diving on the island. Accommodation ranges from basic bungalows to mid-range resorts. It's a good base if you want to avoid the busier beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa but still have easy access to Stone Town and other east-coast spots.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Best months
- Jun–Oct, Dec–Feb
- Avoid
- Mar–May (main rainy season)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TZS
- Money
- Currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Tourism is still quoted in US dollars, but since 2025 the central bank requires local transactions to be priced and paid in shillings — check how your lodge bills; dollar notes older than 2013 or damaged are refused.
- Daily spend
- Budget US$30–50 per person (check) · Mid US$60–100 per person (check) · High US$120+ per person (check) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom, Airtel, Yas (Tigo) and Halotel sell SIMs at airports; registration takes fingerprints and a passport.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 112 · Fire 114
- Plugs
- Types D, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin is most common; some older round-pin sockets.
- Tipping
- Safari guide: About US$15–25 per vehicle per day from the group — check.; Kilimanjaro crew: About 10–15% of the climb price, shared per a published scale — check your operator's guide.; Camp staff box: About US$10 per guest per day.; Restaurant: 5–10% where no service charge.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and lodges; long-drops at some gates and picnic sites; squat toilets at bus stops.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Snorkelling trip to Mnemba Atoll (half-day) | US$30–80 per person (check) |
| Dala-dala to Stone Town | US$3–5 per person (check) |
| Taxi to Stone Town | US$25–35 (check) |
| Meal at a beach restaurant | US$8–15 per person (check) |
| Bottle of beer (local) | US$2–4 (check) |
| Bicycle rental (per day) | US$10–15 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ZNZ · Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar)
- About 1 hour by car or taxi to Matemwe
Typical fares
- Taxi from ZNZ airport to Matemwe
- about US$40–60 (check)
- Dala-dala from Stone Town to Matemwe
- about US$3–5 (check)
- Snorkelling trip to Mnemba Atoll
- about US$30–80 per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walking along the beach is the main way to get between hotels and restaurants. For trips to Mnemba or Stone Town, arrange a taxi or dhow through your accommodation. Bicycle rental is available at some lodges.
See and do
Known for
- Mnemba Island marine reserve (snorkelling and diving)
- Long sandy beach with few crowds
- Seaweed farming and traditional fishing villages
- Quiet, laid-back atmosphere
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mnemba Atoll | Dhow or speedboat from Matemwe beach, about 20–30 min | Half-day trip (3–4 h) |
| Stone Town | Taxi or dala-dala (minibus) from Matemwe, about 1 h | About 1 h each way |
| Nungwi | Taxi or dala-dala, about 30 min | About 30 min each way |
| Kendwa | Taxi or dala-dala, about 40 min | About 40 min each way |
| Jambiani | Taxi or dala-dala, about 45 min | About 45 min each way |
Sleep
- Beachfront strip
- Most hotels and bungalows line the beach; quieter than Nungwi or Kendwa.
- Village area
- A few guesthouses inland; more local atmosphere, less sea breeze.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | JamboJAM-bo |
| Thank you | Asanteah-SAHN-teh |
| How much? | Bei gani?bay GAH-nee |
| Good | Nzurin-ZOO-ree |
| Yes | Ndiyon-DEE-yo |
| No | Hapanaha-PAH-nah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Shikamoo' to elders, a handshake and small talk first; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Hands: Right hand for eating, giving and receiving; avoid: Using the left hand
- Dress on Zanzibar: Cover shoulders and knees in town; avoid: Beachwear in Stone Town
- Photos: Ask first; pay agreed fees in Maasai bomas; avoid: Photographing women on Zanzibar without asking
- Affection: Keep it private; avoid: Kissing in public, especially on Zanzibar
- Pace: 'Pole pole' — slow down; avoid: Showing anger in public
Scams and watch-outs
- Low tide exposes coral and rocks: wear water shoes when swimming or snorkelling.
- Jellyfish can appear after rain; ask locals before entering the water.
- No ATMs in Matemwe: bring enough Tanzanian shillings or US dollars for meals and tips.
- Mosquitoes are active at dusk: use repellent and sleep under a net.
Matemwe is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft is rare but keep valuables in your room safe. The main risks are marine: strong currents, jellyfish and coral cuts. Always ask locals about conditions before swimming.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Matemwe yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mnemba Island marine reserve (snorkelling and diving)
- Long sandy beach with few crowds
- Seaweed farming and traditional fishing villages
- Quiet, laid-back atmosphere
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Matemwe, revision 5337101 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5337101
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Matemwe
Nipeleke Matemwe Beach
Take me to Matemwe Beach
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Most embassies are in Dar es Salaam; check your country's consular services for Zanzibar.
US dollars are widely accepted but you may receive change in Tanzanian shillings.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/matemwe). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.