Bella Vista Resort Zanzibar in Kizimkazi

We stayed at Bella Vista Resort Zanzibar and had a truly wonderful time. From the moment we arrived, we felt well taken care of; especially by Sharleene, the resort manager. She is an incredible person: kind, professional, and always ready to help. ❤️ Definitely talk to her about excursions, she really knows her stuff. Everything felt relaxed and easy: the driver would wait for us, there was no rushing, and the whole experience was very laid-back. The food was great, and the resort itself is absolutely beautiful. We stayed in a beachfront bungalow, and the view was simply breathtaking. A small note for future travelers: it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with Zanzibar and the local village life, and to keep your expectations flexible. Power outages can happen, and not all fruits or vegetables from the menu are always available; but that’s part of the authentic island experience. Embrace the beauty of Zanzibar and enjoy the warm, positive energy of the local people. It’s truly a special place. 🏝️☀️

I just returned from a two-week stay at Bella Vista Resort. I regret not booking a longer stay; everything about this place is perfect. The view, the atmosphere, the food, and especially the people who work there are incredibly kind and professional. Sherline, the manager, is a wonderful woman who knows the area very well and is always willing to give advice on what to see. I recommend this place to everyone; I felt right at home there. This certainly wasn't my last visit to this magical place.

This little haven of a hotel is in the perfect location on a small beach set in beautiful gardens. So peaceful and quiet inside and a perfect retreat to get away from the busy tourist places of Zanzibar. The room was perfect with all the facilities I needed. Great value for money and the staff are amazing from Della in the restaurant to Matilda on reception they couldn’t do enough to ensure you have a great stay. Sharlene the guest manager is always around, so friendly and helpful and knows every guest by first name. If you want a picture perfect Instagram hotel with Luxury then this is not the place for you. The locals are on the beach early preparing their boats for tours and fishing. You are in the village and among locals which for me was perfect to experience the real cultures and people of Zanzibar. Don’t expect electricity 24hrs a day this is Africa it’s an experience that must had.

Bella Vista was the accommodation I chose to stay at in the south of Zanzibar, and I truly loved the experience. The property is wonderful: the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the accommodation offers a beautiful sea view. There are two swimming pools: a larger one, perfect for swimming, and a smaller one, ideal for relaxing and unwinding. It is located close to a fishing village that still preserves the authentic essence of Zanzibar, and very near Salaam Cave, which you can easily reach on foot. The location is excellent for those who want to explore the southern part of the island. I rented a car and was able to explore the southern beaches very easily, but the accommodation also helps organize transportation, which is great for guests who prefer not to drive. There are stunning beaches in this area that truly deserve to be discovered. Bella Vista is also close to other tourist attractions, such as Kuza Cave and Malaam Cave. During my stay, I joined a tour to Pongwe Island organized by the accommodation, and I absolutely loved it. We swam a lot, and unlike the Safari Blue experience, there were fewer people, which made it feel much more special. When it comes to meals, I recommend dining at the accommodation: the restaurant is always open, and the food is consistently good. I especially highlight the spacious rooms with balconies, the beautifully maintained surroundings, and the friendliness of the staff, which truly made a difference in my experience.

Stayed here during the election troubles &internet shut down (don’t let that put you off, never happened before and elections only every 5 years) &the manager Charlene made it her own personal crusade to make our holiday as unaffected as possible - she went above and beyond fighting for a replacement safari with tour agents when they cancelled and booked things through the hotel as no cash/ card options locally,so we could pay on departure. This was a totally unexpected event for everyone and Charlene ensured all guests came first over her own needs/comfort The hotel is perfect, idyllic setting, comfortable, very attentive staff and great food - things do run out, but there is lots of choice. I would suggest waiting until you arrive to book excursions etc- Charlene is your woman for this, much better deals and experiences- she wouldn’t have it any other way. We. arrived in the middle of the night- it felt like the middle of nowhere, security welcomed us, it was raining, the electric didn’t work momentarily and you wonder why you were there - give it until the morning…..The sun will shine, you will be greeted by Charlene and ream and you will realise you are in absolute paradise. Thank you

Beautiful place, nice people, welcoming staff. Our special thanks go to Kelvin, a very talanted and extremely helpful young man. The restaurant requires attention though. Most of the items on the menu are constantly out of stock. The orders are being mixed/messed up all the time. But if you are not too picky about food the place would be the perfect fit.

We have just returned from a memorable family vacation at Bella Vista. We loved the rural setting of Bella Vista in a fisherman's village overlooking a sheltered bay accommodating many fishing boats providing the most beautiful sunsets and early morning activity - indeed picture perfect. If you love something slightly off the beaten track and away from tourist shops and crowded beaches, this might just be the one. Friendly service, excellent advice from management who will go out of their way to arrange activities including; visits to Stonetown, spice farms and many other places of interest, snorkeling off the coast or from a local boat, short or full day boat trips including the most delicious seafood prepared onboard by the crew - the list goes on. Thank you so much for your extra effort on the day of our daughter's birthday - to quote her - the best one of her life!! Memories of a family vacation that we will treasure for the years to come!

A Dream Come True – A Holiday We’ll Never Forget! I finally did something I had only ever dreamed of – I took my daughter on a DREAM holiday! We stayed at Bella Vista Resort, and our experience was nothing short of amazing. From the breathtaking views to the TWO stunning pools where I could sit back and sip a cocktail while soaking in the beauty – everything felt magical. The fresh fruit was endless and absolutely delicious. A huge shoutout to the incredible manager, Sharlene (also known as Mwana)! Her deep knowledge and genuine love for the island made our stay even more special. She went above and beyond, and we felt so welcomed and cared for. The staff were outstanding – always smiling, helpful, and truly kind-hearted. One of the highlights was the "My Zanzibar" boat ride – I honestly felt like we were in paradise. My daughter couldn’t believe the color of the ocean – crystal clear and so vibrant. Another unforgettable moment was our day trip to Jumbo, where we were warmly greeted by a lovely lady named Pindi. The hospitality throughout the trip was unmatched. The accommodation was exactly what we needed. We didn’t go away to stay locked in a room – we wanted adventure, sunshine, and time together, and that’s exactly what we got. My daughter and I made memories to last a lifetime. From laughter to awe, to plenty of Instagram-worthy moments (especially for my 16-year-old!), this trip was everything and more. To Bella Vista, "My Zanzibar", and the amazing Sharlene/Mwana – THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. We are truly grateful, and we’ll never forget this experience.

The pool was perfect! So nice to stay next to the pool on a hot day! The room was nice and the snorkelling tour they offer was great fun! We stayed at the reef for as long as we wanted so we saw everything. And the owner was so sweet!! She gave us a lift to the bus stop in town