Fanjove Private Island

Fanjove Private Island

$ 800 Per adult per night

Fanjove Island is the place to learn to live off your own wit and skills! This is how life would be without shoes: So comfortable! The sun, crystal blue water, fish and birds and a whole island to yourself. What else do you need in life?

Every visit includes a contribution for the conservation of a fantastic 11 km of intact coral reef. Thousands of migrant birds rest and feed here, green turtles lay their eggs. Hundreds of dolphins roam the seas and humpback whales pass during their migration. Nobody lives on Fanjove, except visitors and dedicated staff. The whole island is rented from the nearby village of Songosongo. A further 3% of income is dedicated to the community’s social development. We are proud of our achievement and we continue to keep the island natural so we can all learn what life is about!

Fly to Songosongo island, and explore the local community life of fishermen. Then take a short boat ride to Fanjove Private Island and if your luck holds, you will be accompanied by a pod of Bottle-Nosed dolphins.

SKU: TZ-SSC-Fanjove-FI Categories: , Tags: , , , ,

Description

Just 6 Rooms

There are just six Eco-Bandas, each with an ensuite bathroom open to the sky for hot showers under the stars. Each individual Banda is located along the main beach to guarantee privacy and a view of the ocean. Designed with the environment in mind to have the lowest impact on the island, they are powered by the sun.

Local influence

Banda in Ki-Swahili means “Hut” and, in a way, it describes your accommodation well. The banda’s resemble a Dhow sail (Dhows are traditional sailing boats, that you see almost at any time when looking at the sea). It is all made of wood (no hard wood has been cut from forests) and makuti (palm leaves). Only the bathroom is built in concrete, shaped to be in harmony with the rest of the building.

To make the best of the view, the bandas are designed to be completely open at the front. Doors and curtains, protect from wind and sun. There are two lateral doors with latches at the bottom and a rope to secure them on the outer structure of the Banda.  A central door works similarly to a lift bridge: connected with a rope to a pulley (a traditional system used for the local boat’s sail). The curtain fabric and ropes are used in local dhows to make sails and boat ropes.

Should guests wish to enjoy the view from a higher point, there is an upstairs balcony. The 6 lights in each Banda are powered by a solar panel located on the makuti roof.

Hot water is heated by a 90-liter capacity solar panel. Water is an important resource on Fanjove Island and is shipped in almost daily from mainland. Guests are requested to be sensitive on the water consumption.

Main areas

The Banda’s paths lead to the dining area where delicious Fusion Cuisine is served, reflecting the multicultural influence from the area’s historical past. During the day, enjoy some of the various water activities, including diving in the crystalline water to discover a as yet unexplored reef.

Diving

BCD, regulator, wet suites, mask, fins, weights and 12 l aluminum tanks can be rented. Dives are from the boat and there are no deco dives. Water temperature is 27/29 C and visibility can reach 30 m. Dive Fanjove in a stunning tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean that is only just being discovered. The perfect marine metropolis where humpback whales migrate, sea turtles lay eggs, and tropical fish dance before you. A great concentration of biodiversity that has yet to be revealed. The reefs show remarkable resistance to global marine threats, and further research and exploration of the area is vital to help replenish the reef and support healthy ecosystems and sustainable fishing practices for the local villages. Each dive is likely to be at a completely new dive site with sightings of new fish, shark, mammal and invertebrate species on nearly every dive. Varied marine landscapes such as underwater pinnacles and gardens of cabbage coral with 20+ meter visibility make for a rare chance to experience an area that no one has ever explored before. Available at extra cost.

Snorkeling

Relax in Fanjove’s blue waters while watching the marine world pass you by. Butterfly fish, Angelfish, Damselfish, and a variety of corals and invertebrates are just off of Fanjove’s doorstep. Go out by yourself for a leisurely exploration, or let us take you in a small boat and show you all the secret spots! Ask the manager for equipment. If you are not experienced, we recommend a snorkel guide. Marine life books are provided at the lounge: test yourself in the identification of what you had spotted after snorkeling!

Dolphin excursion

Fanjove is lucky to have different dolphin species as our neighbors. Spend a couple of hours on the boat to try and see either Spinner Dolphins or Bottlenose Dolphins and with any luck you may be able to briefly swim with them.

Bird watching

From November to March, the island is a destination for migratory birds. Hidden behind a bush at the beach, with the help of good binoculars, you can appreciate the diversity of the other inhabitants of the island. Inland, the Island can offer good bird sightings while walking the Fanjove Trail.

Kayak Safari

Fanjove provides 4 single kayaks with paddles as a way to discover the main island, the bird island and the cliff system. We suggest you paddle during the medium to high tide and only if you can swim. It is free of charge.

Sand bank excursion

At low tide we have access to a secluded sand bank that offers snorkeling and chance to have a local lunch with grilled fish prepared privately right in front of you. Relax in the shade and wait for dolphins to come by, or jump in the water to cool off, until the sand bank disappears underwater with the incoming tides. For the lovers of extreme romanticism, nothing is better than waiting sunset with a cold bottle of wine in the middle of the ocean! Available at extra cost.

Dhow sailing:

enjoy the sunset and views of Fanjove from the traditional East Africa coast sailing vessel. A local boat will set sail before sunset and accompanied by locals from the village nearby and one of our waiters, you can enjoy a sundowner while experiencing the timeless beauty of the wooden dhow. Available at extra cost.

Fishing

Try your luck fishing Fanjove’s reef. With basic fishing equipment you can catch barracuda, jack, or even a kingfish. Fishing is catch and release but if the fish is injured or the lure is stuck we can have our kitchen prepare your catch the local way, using a charcoal grill.

Fanjove Nature Trail

Discover the island, its history and local costumes. You could use the Island’s Map to navigate along its paths; for a better understanding, ask the manager for a guide who will be happy to share his knowledge. Feel free to lose yourself amid the island’s bush, exploring the island outside the trails!

Additional information

Accommodation Type

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Rate Shown

Full Board, High Season, Per Adult Sharing, Valid during 2024

Includes

Accommodation, Tea and Coffee, Water

Excludes

Champagne and cellar wines, Closest airstrip transfer, Cocktails, Drinks, Flights, House alcoholic drinks, Insurance, Laundry, Medivac insurance, Non alcoholic drinks, Optional activities

Activities included

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Activities at extra cost

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Best Time to Visit

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Key species

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