Xanadu Villas
Days can unfold gently here: barefoot walks on soft white sand, warm breezes drifting through the palms, meals crafted just for you, and the luxury of time to simply be. And for those who prefer a little more action, there’s snorkelling, paddleboarding through mangroves, reef walks and cultural explorations waiting just beyond the shoreline.
Location
It feels wonderfully peaceful, yet the livelier atmosphere of Paje is only a 20‑minute drive away. This is a place to slow down, breathe in the ocean air and savour Zanzibar at its most unspoilt.
Accommodation
Each villa has its own plunge pool and outdoor seating area, with larger villas adding shaded lounges, dining spaces and kitchens. Inside, gleaming white surfaces meet bold fabrics and local art, with capacious domed bathrooms and overhead rain showers that feel almost ceremonial.
But which villa to choose? Options range from secluded hideaways for couples to combinations perfect for families wanting space and their own territory. Nobody will be disappointed.
Nyota, the two‑bedroom presidential villa, boasts a rooftop pool and a full‑size pool below; Mbingu rises across four tiers with direct beach access and a domed master suite; Mlima, Korongo, Alfajiri, Mawimbi, Mawingu and Umande each offer their own distinctive architecture and atmosphere. And then there’s Kimwondo – a two‑storey, one‑bedroom sculptural masterpiece of flowing organic forms, beloved by architects for its playful, almost Gaudí‑like curves.
Experiences
- Stand‑up paddleboard through the mangroves, gliding between arching roots and tranquil channels alive with birdlife.
- Snorkel the fringing reef, discovering coral gardens, reef fish and the delicate ecosystems that thrive just offshore.
- Visit Jozani Forest, home to the rare red colobus monkey and one of the island’s most important conservation areas.
- Join a guided reef walk at low tide, exploring starfish, sea cucumbers and the intricate world of Zanzibar’s intertidal zone.
- Explore Zanzibar’s spice heritage, learning how cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg shaped the island’s culture and economy.
- Discover the Swahili traditions of nearby villages, from dhow‑building to everyday coastal life along the Michamvi Peninsula.
- Spend a day in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Omani, Persian, African and Indian influences meet in winding alleys and historic architecture.
Why We Include Xanadu Villas in our Journeys
The villas themselves are sublime, with flexible combinations that suit everyone from couples to groups of friends, and even to multigenerational families.
Talk to us about designing your journey >
From the Team
“That unshaven, dusty face? Pure safari mileage. After forty‑eight hours at Xanadu I was unrecognisably restored – the kind of glow you can’t fake. Then, I could do justice to my gorgeous surroundings.”
Why Plan Your Safari with Journeysmiths
Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching, to sustainable food sourcing. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to:We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching, to sustainable food sourcing. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to:
Great Places to Combine with Xanadu Villas
Xanadu Villas works beautifully as part of a wider journey in East Africa. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.Xanadu Villas works beautifully as part of a wider journey in East Africa. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.
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