If you want to delight in a small piece of paradise, the picturesque Chapwani Private Island is so wonderful you won't believe it is real. At low tide you can stroll around the entire island exploring the exposed coral and little coves and inlets.
It is just 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.
Privacy and a high level of service are the real feature of Chapwani, which has an optimum of twenty guests at any one time. What this efficiently means is 'no crowds'!! As it is a private island you won't be disturbed by beach hawkers, or people strolling by and gazing at you, which is terrific.
Everyone staying on Chapwani must make sure transfers are arranged. This will either be from the airport or the sea port. For all visitors staying on Chapwani it is required to set up a transfer from the airport or port, into Stone Town and throughout to the island by boat. As an option, you can get one of the regular boat transfers daily at 09.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs. The boat gets to and leaves from Mercury's Restaurant in front of the Old Dispensary in Stonetown.
You will need to wade calf deep into the ocean off the beach to board and again when you arrive on the island, so water resistant shoes are useful.
Your arrival is at the southern end of the island, where a jetty sticks out into the sea.
LODGING
You will be accommodated in among 10 bedrooms in five thatched bandas, nestling into coconut palms, mangrove trees and baobabs. Inside you'll find a spacious room with big double bed-- the standard Zanzibari four-poster with a mosquito net curtained over it-- whose plump pillows are decorated with a freshly-plucked hibiscus flower. They are embellished with vibrant African prints and furnished with local antiques, and a ceiling fan!! There's just enough 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 appealing with a sunken bath, however no plug, and an open plan hand shower. There is now solar heating so warm water is readily available, but do not forget that as there is no fresh water on the island, and it is all delivered from the mainland, so do not utilize excessive water.
The generator that supplies the Lodge is turned off in the evenings, so the ceiling fans do not work as well, and you might wish to keep one's cool by opening the banana leaf shutter to let the ocean breeze in.
No tv, no telephone, no airconditioning, so no 21st century disturbances, simply adds to the terrific feeling of escapism and love. At night when the main generator is switched off, the ceiling fans operate just on their least expensive settings. This need to not be too much of an issue as there is typically a good sea breeze.
Outdoors is a wooden terrace with deckchairs, and just beyond that a thatch parasol with your own sunloungers. The sea is so close that at really high tides it practically laps at your terrace. The balcony is a lovely place to sit and watch the sundown.
You can take your sun loungers onto the beach and find a remote spot to sunbathe.
FACILITIES
On this wonderful little private island the open-plan thatched lodge remains in the centre of the island with views to both sides. This might offer you some concept of how narrow the island is!!
It is reached by sandy paths, which are lit by paraffin lights in the evening, and it mixes in completely with the landscape, and consists of a bar, dining room and lounge decorated in Swahili antiques.
The lounge location, may better be called a lounging area since of its handmade furnishings and comfy sofas is a good place to hide from the heat of the day. The entire location is airy and pleasant and has the kind of laid back beach atmosphere, that has actually long gone from the Maldives and the Pacific Islands.
All your meals are taken exoticholiday in the dining establishment which is right by the waters edge, where Swahili chefs prepare delicious three-course set meals which have a certain Italian predisposition, due in no little part to the Italian owners!
If you have a special event then it is possible to organize a table on the beach for a romantic dinner, or lunch to your space.
The food is outstanding and often consists of newly caught fish, crayfish, prawns and other tasty deals with, although having said that it is possible to eat the odd steak!! If you are worried about eating in a location like this, then do not !! The food here is safe, tasty, well prepared. It deserves adding that the menu changes daily, and as you may expect in a little intimate lodge like Chapwani there is an affordable amount of choice, and conversation.
If you are a breakfast enthusiast, then you will have an option of fresh fruit, juices, hot beverages, bread, jam and eggs to order.
Lots of visitors take the supper/ breakfast half board choice, so they can visit Stone Town and have lunch out, however if you just wish to relax and stay put, then you can have light lunches cooked for you.
The bar is a relaxed location to gather in the evenings. The bar is well equipped with soft drinks, beer, South African white wine and liquor. It is a great meeting point, and there is nothing quite like cocktails at sundown on a tropical island, especially when you can see the sundown.
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 desire to take pleasure in a little piece of paradise, the idyllic Chapwani Private Island is so delightful you will not believe it is real. At low tide you can walk around the whole island checking out the exposed coral and little coves and inlets.
For all guests remaining on Chapwani it is exotic holiday essential 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 available, but don't forget that as exotic holiday 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 meeting place, and there is nothing rather like cocktails at sunset on a tropical island, particularly when you can see the sunset.