A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND COMMITMENT
Zanzibar felt like home from the first time we came in 2018. The people we met, the landscape, the music, the aromas… That trip was so life-changing that once we flew back to Barcelona we started fantasizing about this project. A new hospitality approach that would allow us to come back to Zanzibar again and again, not as tourists but as part of a community.
After a second trip to the island, the project took shape. We developed the idea of creating a genuine atmosphere so that conscious travelers could experience the essence of Zanzibar and, at the same time, do their bit to improve the islanders’ quality of life. Besides creating job opportunities, we wanted to offer our guests the possibility to voluntarily exchange language, cultural or medical knowledge to empower the local community.
THE PROJECT
It's been quite of a bumpy road, a pandemic in between and many efforts to make this dream come true. As friends and lawyers, we have invested our free-time and vacations to set up and run this project. Despite all the difficulties, we knew it would be worth it because, somehow, a part of us belongs to Zanzibar.
None of this would have been possible without a supportive and dedicated team. The positive energy and full sense of hospitality of the staff explains why on their departure day, many guests tell us that they feel like they are leaving home instead of going back home. And we couldn’t ask for a better compliment.
On behalf of the whole Maisha Nungwi family, we really wish you an outstanding experience.
Júlia, Paula, and Tania.
THE MANIFESTO
Maisha Marefu means “long life” in Swahili. This expression is used to cheer in good company. To celebrate, meet, socialize, spend time with your beloved ones. After Tania, Paula and Julia took the ownership of the hotel on October 2022, Aluna Nungwi was renamed Maisha Nungwi, a new concept that goes beyond comfortable accommodation. The aim is to become a meeting point for travelers who want to enjoy the island and create meaningful connections with the locals. A place so welcoming that makes you think “I could live here”.
Here, we celebrate the values that guide us – honesty, kindness, gratitude, curiosity, and respect. These principles are the foundation of a project where connections are formed, and the spirit of the island is shared.
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT IT IS.
Just as the tides follow the moon’s command, we are committed to honesty and transparency. Our doors, hearts, and minds are open to curious travelers from all over the world looking for an authentic experience.
KINDNESS IS OUR COMMON LANGUAGE.
We welcome each guest and member of our crew with open arms, creating a community environment. It is all about enjoying a comfortable atmosphere and treating each other with kindness and equality.
MUCH MORE THAN JUST A BUSINESS.
Maisha Nungwi is a women-led project whose main purpose is to spread the beauty and spirit of Zanzibar and its people, creating a meeting point for international travelers to exchange knowledge and experiences.
CHEERS TO CURIOSITY AND OPEN-MINDEDNESS!
As a microcosm of diverse souls, Zanzibar is a tapestry of cultures, traditions, and natural landscapes. We invite you to take part of this vibrant ecosystem with respect for the land and its people. Our team is always ready to give you advice and help you protecting this paradise.
