So, you’re a family or group of friends wanting to go to Zanzibar on holiday, but you aren’t particularly keen on staying in a resort with other people, and would instead prefer booking your own private spot? Well then Villa Tulia, located on one of our favourite stretches of beach at Matemwe on Zanzibar’s north-east coast, could be just the thing you were looking for! Not to be confused with the very upmarket Tulia resort located further down the coast at Pongwe, Villa Tulia actually comprises of 2 separate and very attractive 4-bedroomed villas, named Villa Kusi and Villa Kaskazi after the seasonal winds that blow across this patch of the Indian Ocean.

Both villas were extensively renovated back in 2023, and they sit side by side on the quiet outskirts of Matemwe village, literally just a few metres off the sandy beach! This is one of the finest stretches of beach in Zanzibar, with some 14 km of wide, coral sand beach perfect for long, lazy walks, and the sheer peace and quiet is a big part of the appeal. Matemwe is about an hour’s drive from the airport and Stone Town is less than an hour away for a day trip.

The two villas are identical inside, each with four bedrooms of exactly the same size, all air-conditioned and all en-suite (so nobody has to share a bathroom which is always a plus!). Two bedrooms face the beach and two face the rear, with a spacious common living area in the middle, and whilst the décor is fairly traditional in style, it’s very attractive, with concrete screeded floors, touches of warm wood and lovely stone-clad feature walls. Three of the bedrooms have queen-size beds and the fourth, at the back, has a bed that can be split into twins, which makes it ideal for kids. There’s no space for extra beds, so each villa sleeps up to 8, but with the two villas next door to each other, larger groups can simply book both together!

Outside, each villa has its own private pool and deck, perched just off the beach with lovely views out over the lagoon, and sheltered from the prevailing south-easterly winter wind by lush tropical greenery. Kaskazi’s pool sits to one side, giving larger groups a little more room to spread out, whilst Kusi suits smaller groups and couples best. Either way, there’s little to beat a lazy afternoon on a sun lounger by the pool, good book in hand, as a gentle sea breeze drifts in off the Indian Ocean! When the tide is out, the water off the beach is too shallow for swimming, and that’s when you’ll be especially glad of being able to flop into your own pool to enjoy some respite from the tropical warmth!

Food is one of the real highlights here, and guests consistently rave about the meals cooked by the resident chef. Occasional comparisons with Michelin-starred restaurants may be a touch over-the-top, but they certainly give you an idea of just how delicious the food is! The chef looks after both villas from a separate central kitchen, breakfast made with fresh local produce is included, as well as dinner, whilst each villa’s kitchen annex has an electric cooking plate should you fancy rustling something up yourselves. There are quite a few bars and restaurants within easy walking distance, including the Zanzibar Pearl right next door, so a leisurely stroll along the sand for lunch is all part of the fun!

The friendly villa manager is very handy for arranging tours and activities around the island, from snorkelling trips and spice tours to some excellent massages, and can even organise quad bike excursions or traditional dhow trips. Closer to home, bikes are provided free of charge, there’s a well-known dive centre nearby, and kitesurfers can hire equipment locally. You'll no doubt also appreciate the rest of the friendly team at the villa, with guests regularly mentioning how friendly and helpful they are! Housekeeping is included, and there’s 24-hour security for complete peace of mind.

So if you’d rather have your very own slice of beachfront paradise than share a resort with other people, Villa Tulia ticks all the right boxes, with a superb setting, gorgeous pools, a wonderful team and seriously good food, plus the flexibility of booking one villa or both if you need the extra space!