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5.0
#3 of 62 hotels in Nungwi
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Charming
Languages Spoken
English
Property amenities
Free private parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Darts
Evening entertainment
Airport transportation
24-hour security
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Outdoor dining area
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Board games / puzzles
Taxi service
Baggage storage
Mosquito net
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
Express check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Room service
Safe
Bottled water
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Location
Nungwi Beach Street, No:3, Nungwi Tanzania
Babalao Nungwi
87 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
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This new hotel is like an oasis of calm with the added benefit of being only a 2 minute walk to the main beach!
From the minute you arrive you are greeted with the warmth of a returning family member and the small touches really do make all the difference... From the tropical juice on arrival, the traditional Dhow boats converted to dining tables, the giant swing chair and the beautiful African artwork it seems everything has been planed to perfection!
The breakfast each morning was a perfect start to the day and the WiFi was reliable and very fast!
We had some lovely evenings enjoying a drink at the bar and ended up extending our stay further as we were so happy. We look forward to returning again soon and highly recommend for any visit to Nungwi
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Every possible detail has been considered for the guest When I first came to the hotel, I drank my fruit juice prepared from tropical fruits. It is a very good advantage to have a market, exchange office and pharmacy around the hotel
Immaculate linens, very fast Wi-Fi, hot water and designer products are available. The material of the mirrors belongs to a sinking ship! In the breakfast area, Ahmet used the old boats as tables. You are having your breakfast on the boat ☺️😌 Ahmet is amazing. He invited me to the small town and beach tour to explain everything.
The garden of the hotel is very cute and the perfect choice to cool off and relax in the hot hours of Zanzibar. Enjoy your cold drink while swinging on the huge swing! 3 minutes to the most beautiful and moss-free beach of Zanzibar! Don't think any more and choose 'babalao'
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Of all the accommodations we visited during our time in Tanzania, this was without doubt the pick of the bunch. Located within minutes’ walk from everything you’d wish, yet feeling totally secluded, Babalao was clean, bright, tasteful and surrounded by foliage, a perfect retreat from the rampant sun. Ahmed was the consummate host. It’s been a while since we have experienced someone who cared as sincerely about his guests as he did. Bart, Veronica and the gang were all superb too! If you intend to visit Nungwi then I highly recommend making Babalao your base.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The owner Max had a super relaxed attitude. The set-up was great, and Max explained the safe, the breakfast, and how everything worked. The breakfast was different every day, starting with a bowl of fruit. The staff was quick and really friendly. and could be taken whenever you got up, no time restrictions.
Max organised picking us up from our last hotel to the bungalow and the taxi to the airport. This was the best cost taxi we had all holiday, so I recommend you ask Max about taxis, as you won't get a better deal.
The bungalow was clean and tidy, there was an area for clothes to be hung, and had hooks in the bedroom area and in the bathroom! As most accommodations we visit, don't have hooks, so we could actually hang towels up after using them plus other items, and had a shelf in the bathroom for shower stuff - Although shower Gel and shampoo is provided.
A safe, Aircon, a fan & a small fridge is also included. The large mirror has a light surrounding it, with a plug!! (how many hotels have you been to that don't have a plug near the mirror) plenty of plugs & lights in the room - the plugs are UK fittings. Staff changed towels daily made the room up super quick each day, and left petals and arrangements.
The hotel also supplies beach towels & has a laundry service, where you fill a large basket which is returned for a small cost. The bungalow was compact and well presented, set in a garden surround, with hammocks, and a seating area in our area just near the massage room. I had a massage with Rachel which I recommend, as was fantastic, and only around £25.
The pool & relaxing area was clean, with a few sunbeds, double beds and an alcove where you could sit in the shade. The toilet was very clean & a shower was available. The food and drink were great and not too expensive.
Max runs a tight ship and everything is perfect. Drinking water was from a cooler thus saving the use of plastic bottles & providing trips.
The hotel is 2 mins to the beach, & out to the right takes you to local bars & restaurants.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We decided to stay at the Babalao Bungalow for our holidays in the northern part of Zanzibar, encouraged by the various positive reviews and suggestive photos. A truly beautiful and welcoming place that immediately catapults you into an African atmosphere (and immediately makes you feel like you're on holiday). We were welcomed by the owner Max, his dog Bro and the cat Barrut. Max immediately proved to be always available and kind, for any doubts or questions he was always at our disposal. All the staff are always very helpful and friendly. In the Bungalow there is also a swimming pool with deckchairs for relaxing. The rooms are simple but very nice and clean. Room cleaning is carried out on request, in fact there will be a sign on the door that can be changed every morning which reads "Don't disturb" and "Please, clean". We had breakfast included, it changes every day and is really plentiful (it is not a buffet breakfast, everything is prepared fresh on the spot). For breakfast you are always served a fruit plate and in addition to choosing the breakfast of the day you have the possibility to make special requests (the dishes are mainly always savory dishes, so you can make a request for a sweet dish). You can eat in the hotel at any time of the day, the total is loaded directly onto your card and paid at the end of your stay. The cuisine is really excellent, we had the opportunity to taste excellent typical dishes and drinks at truly honest prices. Every day you are also provided with a bottle of water (with free refill) to use for brushing your teeth (since using tap water is strongly discouraged). The hotel offers various services, including washing clothes at a cost of 15,000 Tanzanian shillings (about 5 euros). We used it and were really satisfied (and it allowed us not to take home a lot of sand accumulated in our clothes). The Bungalow is in a perfect strategic position, about 5 minutes from the beach and the main services. We were truly happy to be able to spend our holidays in this little corner of paradise and we thank Max and all the staff for the wonderful overnight stay.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 3 nights and the host made us feel very welcome from the first moment. Gave us lots of do’s and don’t’s tips which was very useful!
The place itself is superb! Cosy, clean, well maintained with a very good team and all in all a very relaxing atmosphere too. They have really thought about the guests and the little touches do make a huge difference.
Location is perfect, with many shops, beach is a 3 minute walk! ATM nearby too which was handy for us!
I would have to say the biggest positive has to be the family vibe which went a long way. Highly recommend to stay here!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sometimes choosing a local hotel trumps a commercial worldwide hotel operator, Babalao is an example of this.
Ahmet (the owner) goes out of his way to accommodate your requests and asks. On arrival he advocates you to input a QR code which sends useful information to your WhatsApp regarding attractions, what one should pay for groceries when out & about, restaurants to go to, party calendar etc.
Ahmet was great booking tours on my behalf and advices on behalf of the client what one should pay for those tours.
Lastly the accommodation was very comfortable, had a bar and swimming pool. Anyone thinking of booking here will have a nice stay and a very friendly welcome.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A charming and homely hotel, perfectly clean. On the one hand, it is located a minute's walk from the beach and all entertainment venues, and on the other hand, it is built so that it is completely quiet. The hotel is full of fun sitting areas and beautiful vegetation. We arrived after a week of camping in Tanzania and it was the perfect place to rest and relax. In addition to everything, the owner and the staff made us feel at home from the first moment and responded to our every request. Even when we arrived before check-in, they immediately served us breakfast at the house's expense and allowed us to enter the room ahead of time. We recommend everyone to stay at this hotel! We had a perfect vacation :)
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great stay- feels like a home environment hospitality & service amazing. Ahmet has great little bungalow accomodation and his pride in the business shines through as he is always available to help if needed. Small enough to be personal and feel like home but with great service and hospitality of large resort. The breakfasts offer variety everyday and are enough to get you through to late lunch. There is a simple all day menu but it is fresh, delicious and costs a fraction of overpriced beach bars. Great location close to all beaches and amenities needed. Great little pool area for just chilling, reliable wi-fi and excellent laundry services were great for us as we had been traveling for a while and just needed to chill plus do some work. All the staff are great but special mention to Albert and Marko in the evening. This place is not your fancy beach resort but for us it ticks all the boxes
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband, son & I recently stayed at Babalao Bungalows for 6 nights. After climbing Kilimanjaro & doing a camping safari this was the perfect place to rest & relax. The hosts , Max & Elena were very welcoming & provided all the information & advice we needed to ensure a great stay. The staff were equally obliging & friendly. The rooms were clean & spacious . A delicious breakfast which changed slightly every day was served along with tea or coffee & water was available all day. The grounds were well cared for as was the swimming pool. The wall murals & thatched relaxation areas with swings added a nice touch making it feel very homely. Bro , the resident dog made us feel at home as did the cat. It is perfectly located just a short walk to the beach & restaurants. I highly recommend this great place for a relaxing holiday.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Nungwi area.
PRICE RANGE
$123 - $255 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
TanzaniaZanzibar ArchipelagoZanzibar IslandNungwi
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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