Homeland Swahili Lodge - Hostel

2.0 star property

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January 2025

Photo gallery for Homeland Swahili Lodge - Hostel

View from property
Economy Double Room, 2 Double Beds | Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets
Coffee service
Property amenity
Lobby sitting area

Reviews

7.8 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
    Bar
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • 24/7 front desk
    24/7 front desk
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Laundry
    Laundry
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Zanzibar, Nungwi, Unguja Kaskazini
  • Nungwi Beach
    17 min walk
  • Nungwi Natural Aquarium
    3 min drive
  • Kendwa Beach
    9 min drive

Room options

Economy Double Room, 2 Double Beds

  • 108 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

Economy Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

  • 22 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 10 Large Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Nungwi

When you stay at Homeland Swahili Lodge - Hostel in Nungwi, you'll be near the beach, a 3-minute drive from Nungwi Beach and 9 minutes from Kendwa Beach. .This hostel is 18.5 mi (29.8 km) from Kiwengwa Beach and 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Nungwi Natural Aquarium.

What's nearby

  • Nungwi Beach - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Nungwi Natural Aquarium - 3 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • Mnarani Natural Aquarium - 3 min drive - 1.3 miles
  • Kendwa Beach - 9 min drive - 1.3 miles
  • Muyuni Beach - 36 min drive - 16.3 miles

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 89 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Promenade Main Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪M&J Cafe - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Ginger Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Sexy Fish - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Upendo Restaurant - ‬4 min drive

About this property

Homeland Swahili Lodge - Hostel

Hostel with free breakfast, near Nungwi Beach
Homeland Swahili Lodge - Hostel offers 7 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and ceiling fans. Accommodations all include kitchenettes. Bathrooms include showers with rainfall showerheads.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. LCD televisions come with satellite channels. Housekeeping is provided on a limited basis.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 7 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchenettes. LCD televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided on a limited basis.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as bicycles to rent or take in the view from a garden. Additional amenities at this hostel include complimentary wireless internet access, tour/ticket assistance, and barbecue grills.
Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily.
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.
Guests are offered a complimentary continental breakfast each morning.

Languages

English, Russian, Swahili

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily
  • A bar/lounge

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals

Family friendly

  • In-room kitchenette
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

More

  • Designated smoking areas
  • Mosquito nets

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Kitchenette

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 1 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets stay free

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, and a first aid kit

Property is also known as

Homeland Swahili Lodge Nungwi
Homeland Swahili Nungwi
Homeland Swahili
Homeland Swahili Lodge
Homeland Swahili Lodge Hostel
Homeland Swahili Hostel Nungwi
Homeland Swahili Lodge - Hostel Nungwi
Homeland Swahili Lodge - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 29 reviews" "

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Chanelle

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Don't book
This stay was the worst part about my trip to Zanzibar. I had to book it last minute because my original hotel reservation was randomly cancelled. I did not want to stay in a hostel, but it was my only option, and it was worse than I imagined. I have stayed in plenty of hostels in other countries, but this one was unimaginable. The water did not run - the electricity went out - the host did not know I was coming and took a mattress out of the room I stayed in. There were not enough sheets or any toilet paper, and an animal on property barked all night long and threw itself against the door to be let out, but no one did. The host even had people sleeping under steps, and the internet did not work. I left after one night when I had paid for two, and the hotel denied my request for a refund, even though the conditions were horrendous. Save yourself the annoyance - don't book Homeland Swahili Lodge.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The person in charge was very convenient ! I recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Booking said it was full and as a solo traveler was looking forward to meeting other travelers. When I showed up, I was the only person in the place. The owner aka "Crazy Man" told me everyone was at the beach and gave me a ride there, which was very kind When I returned to the hotel he said that I was the only one staying. I offered to pay for one day and asked for a refund for the other two days. The owner aka "Crazy Man" agreed but was drunk and had spent all the money I paid in the short time I was at the beach. He said, "you can give people gold and diamonds and they are still not happy", which I found very offensive. He was supposed to stop by the next day after getting money from new guest but never did. You win some and you lose some. I usually dont write reviews but there are much better places for a bit more on the beach. Silver lining is he helped me find a new place.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The owner was very nice and friendly. George who works here is the best guy on earth and the most helpful ever. We got also free transfers to the beach. We only had a negative experience with a taxi driver Shege, who is hired by the owner. He was unpleasant and tried to benefit from us. Do not buy from him anything as he charges much more than you can get on the beach.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good value for money! The hostel is 20 minutes walking from the beach but they will drive you every day at every hour to and from the beach and every other spot in the village. Breakfast is excellent and every evening you can dine at the hostel with the other guests The rooms are nice and clean and there is a common area where you can relax on the hammock . In this area wifi is available and free (not in the rooms). It's the perfect place for backpackers and travellers.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good value for money! The hostel is 20 minutes from the beach but the owner, Babli, will drive you every day at every hour to and from the beach and every other spot in the village. Breakfast is excellent and every evening you can dine at the hostel with the other guests, dinner is was only 10000 tzs and delicious every time! The rooms are nice and clean and there is a common area where you can relax on the hammock . In this area wifi is free (not in the rooms), it's not alway working 100% but you can just ask Babli and he will fix it right away.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is amazing. Also the breakfast is the best in Tanzania. Great location. Bably, the owner is so friendly and very attentive with the guest. I went for 4 days and I spend 10 days
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
If you want a 5* waiter’d accommodation were by you get called sir and are treated like royalty then you are not right for this place. It’s not the place isn’t right for you because the atmosphere, the concept and the uniqueness of the lodge is right for anyone with an open heart and mind. I stayed for one night as a stop gap and met some fantastic people from around the world. Shared experiences and generally had a good relax and laugh. The owner - bubbly/crazy man lives up to his man in every sense but does it with a pure heart of gold and is only concerned with you and being happy- however that is. If you want to remind yourself what travelling really is and how to interact with different cultures of people then homelands Swahili lodge is definitely the place to go. It is an experience like none other
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This was one of my hostel stays in all africa!! Staff was amazing! Free breakfast was best I’ve had, free taxi to beaches and night life, free laundry services l, and great welcoming facilities. I hope everyone chooses to stay here. Local family man running a great business.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Sergio Mario

Backpackers only
For backpackers
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

CliveK, Newcastle, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quiet and welcoming. Good value for money. Excellent breakfasts. About fifteen minutes walk to the beach.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Younes, New York

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The lodge is in good location, Mansour the manager of the lodge is very helpful and make your stay special, great breakfast and service. 5 stars for that place
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Patrik

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Un lodge tres simple bien local. Pas cher. Sympathique patron qui arrange ses clients et les conseille. On se sent
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mikhail

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2021

2/10 Terrible

Tobias

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

marina

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great place with a wonderful host!
I had a great stay at Swahili lodge. The owner is an amazing person, very friendly and wants you to have a good stay. The breakfast is amazing and you get big portions that keeps you full until the late afternoon. The only bad thing was the location. It's about a 20-30 min walk to the beach. However the owner drove us there and picked us up every time free of charge. I really enjoyed my stay here, it felt very genuine and welcoming.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
c'etait notre second séjour au swahili lodge ..nous aimons sa situation dans le village ..à l'ecart des hotels à touristes . la disponibilité de son chef : mister crazy ..la possibilité d'y croiser des gens
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lisa, austria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
-Delicious breakfast -nice common area with hammocks -really nice & funny host -perfect price performance ratio -definitely come back to this place when in nungwi
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Guillaume

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Meilleur auberge de nungwi
Cette auberge est génial, les gérants sont tellement gentil. Je recommande fortement
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Trevligt ställe, ägaren Crazy man gör allt för att man ska trivas, den fria Wi-Fi är som på hela ön.. ibland
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2018