If you desire to delight in a small piece of paradise, the idyllic Chapwani Private Island is so wonderful you will not think it is true. At low tide you can walk around the entire island exploring the exposed coral and little coves and inlets.
It is only fifteen minutes by boat, which is just over a mile from Zanzibar's capital Stone Town, however you are miles and miles away from its' hustle, bustle and smells.
Personal privacy and a high level of service are the real feature of Chapwani, which has an optimum of twenty visitors at any one time. What this successfully means is 'no crowds'!! As it is a private island you will not be disrupted by beach hawkers, or individuals walking by and looking at you, which is fantastic.
Everybody staying on Chapwani should guarantee transfers are organised. For all visitors staying on Chapwani it is required to arrange a transfer from the airport or port, into Stone Town and across to the island by boat.
You will need to wade calf deep into the ocean off the beach to board and again when you arrive at the island, so waterproof shoes work.
Your arrival is at the southern end of the island, where a jetty sticks out into the sea.
ACCOMMODATION
You will be accommodated in one of ten bedrooms in five thatched bandas, nestling into coconut palms, mangrove trees and baobabs. Inside you'll discover a spacious room with big double bed-- the conventional Zanzibari four-poster with a mosquito net curtained over it-- whose plump pillows are adorned with a freshly-plucked hibiscus flower. They are embellished with colourful African prints and provided with local antiques, and a ceiling fan!! There's just sufficient area for a cot or an additional bed.
At the back is a restroom with basin, racks; and a different toilet. Please keep in mind the bathrooms are attractive with a sunken bath, but no plug, and an open plan hand shower. There is now solar heating so hot water is readily available, but do not forget that as there is no fresh water on the island, and it is all shipped from the mainland, so don't use excessive water.
The generator that provides the Lodge is turned off at nights, so the ceiling fans don't work as well, and you may want to keep cool by opening the banana leaf shutter to let the ocean breeze in.
No television, no telephone, no airconditioning, so no 21st century disruptions, just adds to the wonderful sensation of escapism and love. In the evening when the primary generator is switched off, the ceiling fans operate just on their most affordable settings. This ought to not be too much of a problem as there is normally a great sea breeze.
Outside is a wood terrace with deckchairs, and simply beyond that a thatch parasol with your own sunloungers. The sea is so close that at extremely high tides it virtually laps at your balcony. The balcony is a beautiful place to enjoy the sundown and sit.
You can take your sun loungers onto the beach and find a secluded area to sunbathe.
FACILITIES
On this magical little personal island the open-plan thatched lodge remains in the centre of the island with views to both sides. This may provide you some concept of how narrow the island is!!
It is reached by sandy courses, which are lit by paraffin lights in the evening, and it mixes in perfectly with the landscape, and includes a bar, dining room and lounge decorated in Swahili antiques.
The lounge location, might better be called a relaxing area due to the fact that of its handmade furniture and comfy couches is a great place to conceal from the heat of the day. The entire place is pleasant and airy and has the type of laid back beach atmosphere, that has actually long gone from the Maldives and the Pacific Islands.
All your meals are taken in the restaurant which is best by the waters edge, where Swahili chefs prepare scrumptious three-course set meals which have a exoticholiday guaranteed Italian predisposition, due in no small part to the Italian owners!
If you have a special celebration then it is possible to set up a table on the beach for a romantic dinner, or lunch to your space.
The food is excellent and frequently consists of freshly captured fish, crayfish, prawns and other tasty deals with, although having stated that it is possible to consume the odd steak!! If you are worried about eating in a location like this, then don't !! The food here is safe, yummy, well prepared. It deserves including that the menu modifications daily, and as you might expect in a little intimate lodge like Chapwani there is an affordable quantity of choice, and discussion.
If you are a breakfast lover, then you will have an option of fresh fruit, juices, hot drinks, bread, jam and eggs to buy.
Numerous visitors take the supper/ breakfast half board choice, so they can check out Stone Town and have lunch out, but if you just want to unwind and stay put, then you can have light lunches cooked for you.
The bar is an unwinded location to gather at nights. The bar is well stocked with sodas, beer, South African wine and liquor. It is a fantastic meeting point, and there is absolutely nothing quite like cocktails at sunset on a tropical island, especially when you can see the sunset.
There is a diesel generator for electrical power, this goes off at about midnight and begins again in the early morning. For the remainder of the time a small generator keeps.
If you want to take pleasure in a little piece of paradise, the picturesque Chapwani Private Island is so wonderful you will not think it is true. At low tide you can stroll around the whole island exploring the exposed coral and small coves and inlets.
For all guests remaining on Chapwani it is required to set up a transfer from the airport or port, into Stone Town and across to the island by boat. There is now solar heating so hot water is readily available, but don't forget that as there is no fresh water on the island, and it is all shipped from the mainland, so don't use too much water.
It is a terrific conference location, and there is absolutely nothing quite like mixed drinks at sunset on a tropical island, especially when you can see the sundown.