Shooting Star Lodge
Shooting Star Lodge is a small, family-run guesthouse, situated on a hill near the fishing village of Kiwengwa and overlooks a magnificent stretch of white beach and dazzling blue ocean. The small makuti-roofed lodge is nestled in lovely well-tended gardens alive with birdsong and butterflies. Children of all ages are welcome.
Accommodation & Facilities
The 18 rooms are located a short distance from the lodge. The accommodation is built in a traditional Zanzibari style with white washed walls, high beamed ceilings and large windows, air-conditioning and traditional style furniture. All rooms have a private verandah. The Sea View cottages are most suited to families and are arranged over two floors. The ground floor has a king size bed and on the first floor there are two single beds (with the option to add a third) sleeping a maximum of five. The bathroom is shared. Sea View Cottage one and two are interconnecting and in this case maximum capacity is seven people with two separate bathrooms. There are also two Monsoon Villas set on the crest of the hill apart from the hotel. Each villa is laid out on three floors with two bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, a roof terrace and a private swimming pool, set amidst a tropical garden.
The lodge’s open-air restaurant and bar have views over the tropical gardens, stunning blue ocean, and the infinity swimming pool. The lodge serves a wide variety of African and international cuisine, and specializes in lobster, meat grills and smoked fish using traditional African recipes. There is also a small spa and a fun beach bar open during the day.
Eating & Sleeping
Chefs are very used to catering to children of all ages. Children’s meals are served at any time, designed according to their dietary requirements. Children can choose simplified versions of the adults’ food or choose from the children’s menu which typically offers fresh home-made fish fingers, beef burger, spaghetti or pasta with tomato sauce or bolognese etc. Female members of lodge staff are available to babysit if required. The cost is US$7 per hour.
Activities
Fishing, snorkelling, diving and sailing are among the activities that are on offer to while away the day or you can relax in the small spa and enjoy a variety of treatments from traditional Zanzibar wraps to relaxing massages.
Specifically for children……
There are many excursions and activities suitable for families including:
• Trips to Josani Forest to see the red colobus monkeys.
• Fascinating tours of local spice plantations to discover Zanzibar’s spice history.
• Diving – introductory courses in the swimming pool are offered to children of eight and over. Children over ten years can dive in open water.
• Snorkelling – minimum age four years.
• Dhow cruises are also family favourites.
