We had an incredible stay at this lodge, and a big part of that was thanks to the amazing owner. He is truly one of the kindest and most helpful hosts we’ve ever met. When the airline failed to deliver our bags, he personally took charge—calling every day, staying in touch with the airline, and doing everything he could to make sure we got our luggage back. We felt so supported and cared for. He also organized all of our activities, and they were fantastic: turtle hatching, a trip to the mange sandbank with a beach BBQ and snorkeling, a visit to the north of the island, Chole Island snorkling trips and whale shark watching. Everything was smooth, well-planned, and stress-free thanks to him. The lodge isn’t right on the beach, but the owner provides bikes for free, and with them it’s a quick and easy ride to the shore. The rooms are comfortable and air-conditioned! Dinner at the lodge is optional each day, and it’s a full three-course meal (starter, main, dessert) for just $15. The portions are generous and the food was consistently delicious. Overall, the atmosphere was welcoming, relaxed, and safe. We truly felt at home here and highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the area.

Stayed in July 2025

Food could have been a bit better for $15 I ate at other restaurants most nights. But was not bad and convenient being at the lodge

Meremata and the staff were very helpful and attentive, always anticipating what you might need and able to help out with any request apt tasks I had on the island from getting massage to booking plane tickets to getting transport.

Stayed in February 2025

Please be aware there is no swimming pool (yet), but as diving/snorkelling is a main activity I did not miss it.

Extreme helpful owner, from providing transfer to airport as to help with any other problem. Breakfast always in time even if you leave early. Very affordable snorkelling excursions and great whale shark watching. Rooms are clean, well maintained. Lovely garden. Good wifi. Decent meals for a reasonable price.

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing

Very helpful staff Very clean On the edge of the reserve Owner helps with everything & very positive Free bicycle to go to beach

Stayed in December 2024

Would be nice to be closer to the water, but it was a minor issue.

Meremeta and his staff were exceptional. Anything we needed from setting up tours to smaller meal portions, they were there to accommodate us. The rooms were very clean and the AC was mightily appreciated. The beds were firm but comfortable and the grounds were bursting with colorful flowers. The free bikes were great for getting to and from the beach.

Stayed in November 2024

Meremeta has a beautiful lodge with an amazing garden. He and his staff were very friendly and took care of me and the other guests in an amazing way. I was really happy with the service and when I needed help with anything, Meremeta took care of it. The food was good, the location was perfect because I went scuba diving at Mafia Island Diving everyday. The room was very clean and so was the bathroom. 10/10 would recommend!

Stayed in October 2024

Lingering sewage smell in bathroom. Lack of chairs in the bedroom.

Spacious and very clean room with fans and air conditioning. Power-bar in room very helpful for charging. Couches and hammock outside of room and large shared seating areas. Breakfast and dinner were good, plus accommodation of special dietary requests at dinner and breakfast. Free water/coffee/tea all day Location is a bit far from everything, but owner helped with transportation even very early in the morning.

Stayed in July 2024

Would like to have had western alcohol at the ‘bar’

Meremeta lodge Meremeta Lodge was great. The rooms were clean, cool from AC, and the water hot! Most of all the staff was incredible. They take pride in ensuring that the food is delicious and the experience is exceptional. They arranged daily transport to the dive shop, tours to other areas of the island. When I didn’t prefer the meat as the main dish the cooked chicken instead. I asked if they served it on the island as I had a suspicion they didn’t. As a result, they had plenty of Coke Zero purchased ahead time for me I highly recommend Meremeta Lodge and if I return, I will definitely be staying with them.

Stayed in February 2024

Meremeta Lodge is one of the few places in Mafia Island that has air-conditioning - a must in February. The staff members are all great, and the owner (Meremeta) is very friendly, attentive, available, accommodating and helpful - nothing is too much effort for him; you can ask him anything and he will always answer "it is possible"! Meremeta Lodge is also one of the very few places in Mafia that is owned by a local Mafian, and we recommend that you support local.

Stayed in February 2024

Meremeta Lodge is a very beautiful place in the Western side of Utende. Wonderful rooms and a spectacular lobby/restaurant. The owner is almost always present and super friendly and supportive, as is the rest of the staff. Our room had an AC which was a blessing. Breakfast was self-service but super tasty. Generally, the food was really nice and varied. Well spiced. And super tasty desserts! It is possible to borrow bicycles to get around, which is super helpful as this place is not located directly at the beach. However, you get there really quickly by bike, and the upside to the location is that it is rather quiet.

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

Very friendly and helpful and went beyond the usual hospitality

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing, everything was perfect.

Beautiful accomodation. Outstanding hygiën. Perfect location for divers. Friendly and helpful staff. Fantastic chef (best zuchini soup ever) 😊 Highly recommended

Stayed in January 2024

Nothing

Best place for staying in Mafia-A/C,owner near by you and care,delicious tour and honest price for activities 100% reco

Stayed in January 2024

Meremeta and staff go all the way to give you a feeling like you are home! Such a beautifull place with amazing flower garden and all the different rooms have privacy around and in this garden!

Stayed in November 2023

The breakfast had a lot of options and worked great.

Stayed in September 2023

Very well looked after by Abdul, Musa, and the team - excellent food!

Stayed in August 2023

The beds were pretty uncomfortable and hard and the lodge is quite some distance from any swimming places.

Very beautiful location - peaceful and surrounded by nature. The staff was very kind and friendly and helped out with anything we needed. The rooms had very large bathrooms, and they were very clean and tidy.

Stayed in July 2023

Breakfast could be better just a little more

Safe and friendly place were to stay

Stayed in February 2023

Could be more environmentally friendly with more local cuisine. Staff take care to fumigate but I’d still recommend wearing lots of insect repellent

Tanzanian-owned. Very friendly and resourceful staff, solutions-focused, free tea/coffee and bikes available to get to the beach (2km) or nearby

Stayed in December 2022

Nothing really

helpful staff, nice bungalow and good food. And free bicycles to move around

Stayed in November 2022

For us, everything at Meremeta Lodge felt a bit stiff and pretentious. Food was good and vegetarian food was not a problem at all. Usually the vegetarian option was just the fish option without the fish, though - so the portions were rather small. Price was the same as the fish option: 15$ for dinner, which felt like a lot for what we got. Given that it's 10 mins by bike (don't expect good bikes) from the sea but the marine park fees have to be paid anyways, it is too expensive in our opinion.

Nice place with beautiful outdoor area and spacious, very clean rooms; friendly staff.

Stayed in October 2022

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in October 2024

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in February 2024

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in December 2023