It all started with a dream, a fanciful ambition to find a small, remote, uninhabited Tropical Island off the coast of East Africa. Thanda Island is one of the world’s most exclusive island getaways, a paradise for you to enjoy in complete privacy with family and friends. A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania. Situated in its own marine reserve, you can swim with the gentlest giant of the ocean, the whale shark, and watch sea turtles nesting. Here, you can rest, rejuvenate and enjoy adventure sports in a world apart where shades of turquoise infuse your days and tropical spices your nights.
It all started with a dream, a fanciful ambition to find a small, remote, uninhabited Tropical Island off the coast of East Africa. Thanda Island is one of the world’s most exclusive island getaways, a paradise for you to enjoy in complete privacy with family and friends. A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania. Situated in its own marine reserve, you can swim with the gentlest giant of the ocean, the whale shark, and watch sea turtles nesting. Here, you can rest, rejuvenate and enjoy adventure sports in a world apart where shades of turquoise infuse your days and tropical spices your nights.
Exclusive use of the whole property including all amenities and facilities
Accommodation in the private Villa and Bandas
All meals
Beverages including Thanda’s selection of wines, spirits, champagnes and cocktails
WiFi
Villa
Boathouse
Glass rim-flow pool
Tanzanian bandas
Astro tennis court
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A private 45-minute helicopter flight directly to Thanda Island
30 minutes Chartered flight to Mafia Island followed by 20-35 minutes boat transfer to Thanda Island
Nestled within Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, Thanda Island is located between the mainland of Tanzania and Mafia Island. It is 8ha in size, 1.1km in circumference, 350m wide, and surrounded by coral reefs. It offers spectacular snorkelling, diving, fishing and many other adventures. The surrounding seas are home to the gentle whale shark, sea turtles, dolphins and dugongs.
To get to Thanda Island, guests fly directly to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam with Swiss Air, Qatar, Emirates, South African Airways and British Airways. On landing at Dar es Salaam: the Thanda Island team will meet you and accompany you through customs, ensuring a smooth, quick entry into this beautiful country. From here, you board either an 8 or 4 seater helicopter and 45 minutes later you land on Thanda Island, right at the villa for the start of your private island adventure. (Please Note: helicopter transfer is subject to availability and an additional charge, upon request). Alternatively, domestic carriers fly the 30-minute route to Mafia Island’s 1.6km tar runway from Dar es Salaam from where guests can transfer to Thanda Island by boat.
Villa bedroom amenities include beds, fans, aircon, mosquito nets, outdoor bath, indoor shower, outdoor shower, in-room safe, wifi and laundry. Banda amenities include beds, mosquito nets, indoor shower, minibar, in-room safe, wifi and laundry.
Experience the mystique of ancient lands where agriculture, fishing and trading date back to the Iron Age, with unique finds in Juani’s Ukunju Cave. Trade here has always revolved around the sea, guided by the trade winds. In Tanzania’s capital city of Dar es Salaam, traditional wooden dhows glide between cargo ships and the culture and architecture reflects its diverse African, Arabic, Indian, British and European influences. Chole’s people have travelled in Arab dhows since the 8th century, and Zanzibar’s ancient spices came from the East. One of the most popular excursions is the Chole Island Tour, 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. Mafia Island is the closest inhabited island to Thanda Island. We can sail you over to Mafia for a day’s exploration of the Eleventh Century ruins, visits to the village communities and traditional boat-building craftsmen who use hand tools and hand-forged nails. 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.
Thanda Island offers beautiful, warm, tropical weather. Rain showers are mostly short, followed by sunshine, bringing a wonderful freshness to the environment. Thanda Island has a tropical climate with approximately 1,800mm of rain each year, diving into two specific rain seasons: the "long" rains in late April to May and the "short" rains in November. Thanda Island lies across the trade winds and experiences the northeast (Kaskazi) and southest (Kusi) trade wind seasons. The Kaskazi usually starts at the end of November and lasts into February. The Kusi winds are strong in June and July.
Over the Rainbow of London can be booked, along with Thanda Island, from December through to March before she returns to the Mediterranean for the European summer, during winter months in Tanzania. Explore the remarkable uniqueness of the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve on a day cruise or get lost in the magic of the Indian Ocean and spend a night indulging in the ultimate relaxation of a cruise-to-nowhere aboard Over The Rainbow of London. Culture enthusiasts can explore ancient Arabic history and enticing spice plantations, with an overnight cruise to Zanzibar, or dive the pristine 1,500km² Marine Park of Tanzania’s secret paradise, with a private charter to Mafia Island. Over the Rainbow of London sleeps up to ten guests in four rooms, including a master suite. She is also capable of carrying up to five crew on board to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. Timeless styling, beautiful furnishings and sumptuous seating features throughout to create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere.
It all started with a dream, a fanciful ambition to find a small, remote, uninhabited Tropical Island off the coast of East Africa. Thanda Island is one of the world’s most exclusive island getaways, a paradise for you to enjoy in complete privacy with family and friends. A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania. Situated in its own marine reserve, you can swim with the gentlest giant of the ocean, the whale shark, and watch sea turtles nesting. Here, you can rest, rejuvenate and enjoy adventure sports in a world apart where shades of turquoise infuse your days and tropical spices your nights.
As you step off the helicopter, the Villa is right there… yours to enjoy. It’s your home, with a paradise-inspired living area featuring everything you could want in this beautiful beach house, and five exquisite, air-conditioned bedroom suites leading directly onto the beach. If required, further beds for an additional 9 children, can be set up in the bedroom suites. Beach house romance, nostalgia and East African elegance personify the villa on Thanda Island, designed for a perfect summer in coastal whites, greens and blues. The expansive living area has an indoor aquarium, electronic piano, wine collection, cigar humidor, glass rim-flow swimming pool and wrap-around dining area with its 180-degree view of the ocean. The Island is totally safe for you to explore and enjoy.
Thanda Island additionally has two traditional Tanzanian bandas. Each has a king-sized bedroom and en-suite bathroom on the first floor and two single beds and en-suite bathroom on the ground floor.
Enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of an up-close encounter with the gentlest giant of the ocean, the whale shark, from October to March.
Dive in the largest marine protected area in the Indian Ocean that 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. Or cruise Over the Rainbow of London to Chole Bay for an incredible private diving experience, as it too is fully equipped with its own diving equipment.
A boathouse full of equipment is yours to enjoy. Ride the trade winds in paradise on your very own sailboat, or explore the coral reef in a kayak or canoe. We can also organise a sailing trip on a traditional Arab fishing dhow. Thanda Island also has a fully equipped 28-foot reef runner cat, deep-sea boat if you would like to do some big game fishing nearby Mafia Island. Catch and release iconic species or bring home the catch of the day for the Chef to prepare for your lunch or dinner.
Water skiing, wake-boarding, jet skiing and tubing, when weather conditions allow.
In the early mornings, late afternoons or evenings (when it isn’t too hot) you might want to have a game of tennis or volleyball on a 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. Thanda Island is 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 having tea or cocktails.
Thanda's snorkelling guide can take you on seven different snorkelling adventures around the island. These can be enjoyed by all ages and novices. Marine turtles have frequently been sighted during snorkels, along with plenty of exciting marine life.
Thanda Island's cuisine is fresh and customised to your plate. If you wish, the chef will contact you ahead of your visit to discuss the menu of your ...
Thanda's chefs set a high value on healthy food. Every meal they prepare is fresh, from herbs freshly picked from the Island herb garden to papayas ...
You can experience a Swahili feast, dedicated to the flavours and aromas of Tanzania, tickled with the spices from Zanzibar. Swahili curries, rice ...
Pizza-making on a private island resort is part of the entertainment and everyone gets involved at the alfresco dining area, where there is a traditional ...
Because there is no light pollution on Thanda Island, it's a perfect place for romantic dinners under a canopy of stars.
If you enjoy fish and seafood, this is paradise, and the chefs are fish and seafood masters: the menu includes fish cooked to perfection, fish ...
If you enjoy fish and seafood, this is paradise, and the chefs are fish and seafood masters: 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, daily caught by you or Thanda team, as well as seasonal oysters freshly-picked from Thanda Island.
Example MenuThe resort's massage specialists have created a suite of special Thanda Island massages, facials and body treatments that can be booked according to your needs. The therapists are brought in from nearby Mafia Island or from 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 done on the beach, in the privacy of your villa, 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. Through a blend of different techniques, they will help you to release tension, manage stress, have more fun, enhance your mental strength, emotional resilience and physical fitness. There is no better place to connect to your deeper self than on your own peaceful Thanda Island.
Hotel facilities with your booking:
Villa
Boathouse
Glass rim-flow pool
Tanzanian bandas
Astro tennis court
Inclusions with your booking:
Exclusive use of the whole property including all amenities and facilities
Accommodation in the private Villa and Bandas
All meals
Beverages including Thanda’s selection of wines, spirits, champagnes and cocktails
WiFi
To get to Thanda Island, guests fly directly to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam with Swiss Air, Qatar, Emirates, South African Airways and British Airways. On landing at Dar es Salaam: the Thanda Island team will meet you and accompany you through customs, ensuring a smooth, quick entry into this beautiful country. From here, you board either an 8 or 4 seater helicopter and 45 minutes later you land on Thanda Island, right at the villa for the start of your private island adventure. (Please Note: helicopter transfer is subject to availability and an additional charge, upon request). Alternatively, domestic carriers fly the 30-minute route to Mafia Island’s 1.6km tar runway from Dar es Salaam from where guests can transfer to Thanda Island by boat.
Villa bedroom amenities include beds, fans, aircon, mosquito nets, outdoor bath, indoor shower, outdoor shower, in-room safe, wifi and laundry. Banda amenities include beds, mosquito nets, indoor shower, minibar, in-room safe, wifi and laundry.
Experience the mystique of ancient lands where agriculture, fishing and trading date back to the Iron Age, with unique finds in Juani’s Ukunju Cave. Trade here has always revolved around the sea, guided by the trade winds. In Tanzania’s capital city of Dar es Salaam, traditional wooden dhows glide between cargo ships and the culture and architecture reflects its diverse African, Arabic, Indian, British and European influences. Chole’s people have travelled in Arab dhows since the 8th century, and Zanzibar’s ancient spices came from the East. One of the most popular excursions is the Chole Island Tour, 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. Mafia Island is the closest inhabited island to Thanda Island. We can sail you over to Mafia for a day’s exploration of the Eleventh Century ruins, visits to the village communities and traditional boat-building craftsmen who use hand tools and hand-forged nails. 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.
Thanda Island offers beautiful, warm, tropical weather. Rain showers are mostly short, followed by sunshine, bringing a wonderful freshness to the environment. Thanda Island has a tropical climate with approximately 1,800mm of rain each year, diving into two specific rain seasons: the "long" rains in late April to May and the "short" rains in November. Thanda Island lies across the trade winds and experiences the northeast (Kaskazi) and southest (Kusi) trade wind seasons. The Kaskazi usually starts at the end of November and lasts into February. The Kusi winds are strong in June and July.
Over the Rainbow of London can be booked, along with Thanda Island, from December through to March before she returns to the Mediterranean for the European summer, during winter months in Tanzania. Explore the remarkable uniqueness of the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve on a day cruise or get lost in the magic of the Indian Ocean and spend a night indulging in the ultimate relaxation of a cruise-to-nowhere aboard Over The Rainbow of London. Culture enthusiasts can explore ancient Arabic history and enticing spice plantations, with an overnight cruise to Zanzibar, or dive the pristine 1,500km² Marine Park of Tanzania’s secret paradise, with a private charter to Mafia Island. Over the Rainbow of London sleeps up to ten guests in four rooms, including a master suite. She is also capable of carrying up to five crew on board to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. Timeless styling, beautiful furnishings and sumptuous seating features throughout to create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere.
A private 45-minute helicopter flight directly to Thanda Island
30 minutes Chartered flight to Mafia Island followed by 20-35 minutes boat transfer to Thanda Island