https://www.hotelmatlai.com/blog Boutique Hotel Matlai — Zanzibar journal en Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-airport-lounge-vip-services-guide https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-airport-lounge-vip-services-guide Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMT Zanzibar airport lounge: the Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3 serves departures only. Plus fast-track options and the real transfer time to Michamvi Pingwe. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-deep-sea-fishing-catch-to-table-dining https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-deep-sea-fishing-catch-to-table-dining Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMT Beach Bums Fishing Charters runs deep-sea trips straight off the Matlai beach — tuna, wahoo, marlin, kingfish. Bring your catch back and the kitchen cooks it. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-june-july-dry-season-guide https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-june-july-dry-season-guide Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMT June and July are Kusi season on Zanzibar's east coast — dry, breezy, and the busiest months at Matlai. What the weather really does, and how to plan around it. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/afcon-2027-zanzibar https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/afcon-2027-zanzibar Sun, 06 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMT Zanzibar hosts Africa Cup of Nations matches from 19 June to mid-July 2027: what is confirmed, the drive from Michamvi Pingwe, and how to plan a stay. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/north-coast-vs-east-coast-zanzibar https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/north-coast-vs-east-coast-zanzibar Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:40:09 GMT Nungwi and Kendwa, or Paje, Matemwe and Michamvi? How Zanzibar's north tip and east coast differ in tides, sunset, wind, seaweed, crowds and transfer times. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/weddings-in-zanzibar-destination-wedding-guide https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/weddings-in-zanzibar-destination-wedding-guide Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:07:45 GMT Planning to marry at Matlai: ceremony formats, rainy and dry months, tide timing, legal or symbolic paperwork and where our partner Castaway Weddings fits in. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/sauti-za-busara-zanzibar-africa-s-iconic-music-festival https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/sauti-za-busara-zanzibar-africa-s-iconic-music-festival Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:50:05 GMT Sauti za Busara, Zanzibar's annual music festival in Stone Town — what to expect and getting there from Michamvi for a stay at Boutique Hotel Matlai. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/why-march-april-are-zanzibar-s-best-kept-secret https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/why-march-april-are-zanzibar-s-best-kept-secret Sat, 15 Nov 2025 13:44:25 GMT Why March and April are Zanzibar's quietest, best-value months: the real weather, the real trade-offs, and who should wait for June to October. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/a-day-at-matlai-from-indian-ocean-sunrise-to-dinner-on-the-beach https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/a-day-at-matlai-from-indian-ocean-sunrise-to-dinner-on-the-beach Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:03:54 GMT A day at Boutique Hotel Matlai, Michamvi Pingwe: sunrise over the Indian Ocean, a tide-led morning, Bustani Spa and dinner on the sand. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/escape-the-autumn-fade-discover-the-everlasting-green-of-zanzibar https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/escape-the-autumn-fade-discover-the-everlasting-green-of-zanzibar Fri, 10 Oct 2025 08:48:27 GMT Mkungu tree meaning: the Indian almond (Terminalia catappa) that shades Zanzibar's beaches. Part of a nine-tree tour of the garden at Matlai. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/discover-zanzibar-like-a-local-culture-daily-life-authentic-experiences https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/discover-zanzibar-like-a-local-culture-daily-life-authentic-experiences Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:41:21 GMT Greetings, daily life, transport and politics in Zanzibar, explained plainly — the island beyond the beach, from Boutique Hotel Matlai. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/best-snorkelling-and-diving-in-zanzibar-discover-marine-life https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/best-snorkelling-and-diving-in-zanzibar-discover-marine-life Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:42:35 GMT Turtles, dolphins, reef fish and starfish: what you can see in the water off Matlai, the Mnemba restoration project and the starfish rule every room explains. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/ramadan-and-eid-in-zanzibar-a-time-of-faith-community-and-celebration https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/ramadan-and-eid-in-zanzibar-a-time-of-faith-community-and-celebration Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:08:11 GMT Experience Ramadan and Eid in Zanzibar – a time of faith, culture & community. Learn about traditions, food & celebrations with Hotel Matlai. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/christmas-and-new-year-in-zanzibar https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/christmas-and-new-year-in-zanzibar Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:20:04 GMT How Zanzibar celebrates Christmas and New Year, and what to expect at Boutique Hotel Matlai over the holidays — the six-course menu, the beach bonfire. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/new-mandatory-insurance-for-tourists-visiting-zanzibar https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/new-mandatory-insurance-for-tourists-visiting-zanzibar Fri, 11 Oct 2024 10:44:30 GMT Zanzibar travel insurance: ZIC costs USD 44 per adult for up to 92 days. Since 1 October 2026 the mainland has NIC; buy the cover of your first port of entry. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/public-holidays-in-zanzibar-part-1 https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/public-holidays-in-zanzibar-part-1 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 08:09:39 GMT Explore Zanzibar’s public holidays and cultural traditions. Part 1 of our guide by Boutique Hotel Matlai – insights into island life & festivities https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/introducing-our-live-lobster-aquarium-freshness-redefined-at-our-restaurant https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/introducing-our-live-lobster-aquarium-freshness-redefined-at-our-restaurant Sat, 20 Jul 2024 09:43:16 GMT Zatiny keeps lobster alive in a tank until it is ordered: what spiny lobsters are, which species turn up off Michamvi, and the local fishery's rules. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/get-to-know-the-hardworking-helpers-behind-the-scenes-part-1 https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/get-to-know-the-hardworking-helpers-behind-the-scenes-part-1 Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:27:41 GMT Meet the housekeeping, maintenance, gardening and security teams at Boutique Hotel Matlai Zanzibar — the departments most guests never see. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/discovering-zanzibar-unique-souvenirs-to-bring-home https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/discovering-zanzibar-unique-souvenirs-to-bring-home Mon, 29 Jan 2024 09:23:28 GMT Zanzibar souvenirs worth buying: carved wood, kangas, spice blends, vikapu baskets, Tinga Tinga art, coffee, seaweed soap and tanzanite, and where to find them. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-spice-island https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-spice-island Sun, 21 Jan 2024 13:17:54 GMT The history of Zanzibar as the Spice Island and a close look at clove, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom and pepper: where each comes from. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/exploring-zanzibar-s-culinary-traditions-a-journey-into-typical-food-habits https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/exploring-zanzibar-s-culinary-traditions-a-journey-into-typical-food-habits Thu, 11 Jan 2024 06:57:27 GMT What locals actually eat in Zanzibar: breakfast staples (Ugali, Cassava, Chapati, Vitumbua), street food (Urojo, Chips Mayai, Mishkaki). https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-tropical-fruits https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/zanzibar-tropical-fruits Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:34:09 GMT Zanzibar's tropical fruits: rambutan, mango, jackfruit, durian, coconut and more, with Swahili names, real seasons and where they turn up at Hotel Matlai. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/discover-bliss-at-bustani-tropical-spa https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/discover-bliss-at-bustani-tropical-spa Tue, 14 Nov 2023 07:18:19 GMT The Swahili herb bath at Bustani Spa, plant by plant — neem, mbono, lemongrass, asafoetida — what each one is, how the treatment runs. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/swahili-not-just-a-language https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/swahili-not-just-a-language Thu, 28 Sep 2023 08:44:44 GMT Chap chap meaning: hurry, hurry, slang for faster, faster. Plus 12 Swahili words and phrases for your stay, from karibu and pole pole to greetings. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/journey-into-tradition-exploring-the-riches-of-swahili-weddings https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/journey-into-tradition-exploring-the-riches-of-swahili-weddings Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:23:45 GMT Wedding in Swahili is harusi: the bride is bibi harusi, the groom bwana harusi. Then the customs, from dowry and bridal scrub to the nikah and the feast. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/celebrating-culture-festivals-and-celebrations-in-zanzibar https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/celebrating-culture-festivals-and-celebrations-in-zanzibar Sat, 09 Sep 2023 08:55:48 GMT Zanzibar's festival calendar: Sauti za Busara music festival (Feb–Mar), Mwaka Kogwa's Persian-rooted New Year in Makunduchi (July), ZIFF, and Eid El-Fitr. https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/let-s-dive-into-the-fascinating-stories-of-our-exceptional-butlers-at-matlai-boutique-hotel https://www.hotelmatlai.com/post/let-s-dive-into-the-fascinating-stories-of-our-exceptional-butlers-at-matlai-boutique-hotel Wed, 26 Jul 2023 08:06:01 GMT What a Matlai butler does during your stay — private dining anywhere on the property, helping arrange excursions and transfers.