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Bawe Island
Bawe Island, Tanzania · Independent · High Luxury
Once a colonial telegraph-cable outpost known as Telegraph Island, this 30-hectare islet off Stone Town reopened in 2024 as Africa's first one-island, one-resort retreat. A roughly 40 million dollar build gave it 70 pool villas with butlers, four restaurants, solar power, and its own desalination plant. Tanzania's president formally inaugurated it in January 2025, and it has since joined The Leading Hotels of the World, a 15-minute speedboat ride from Zanzibar.
- 70 rooms
- Opened 2024
- Rooms from 1,830 sq ft (170 m²)
About Bawe Island
- The island was once known as Telegraph Island, a node in the colonial-era undersea cable network that linked Zanzibar to the wider world.
- It is Africa's first and only 'one island, one resort' experience, developed at a cost of around 40 million dollars.
- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan formally inaugurated the resort in January 2025, coinciding with the 61st anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.
- The 70-villa resort runs entirely on solar power and its own desalination system, with each villa including a private pool and butler.
- The smallest published suite or villa start at 1,830 sq ft (170 m²).
History
Bawe Island is a private-island resort set on a 30-hectare islet a short speedboat ride from Zanzibar's Stone Town. Once known as Telegraph Island, it was a node in the colonial-era undersea telegraph cable network linking Zanzibar to the wider world, and now lies within the protected Changuu-Bawe Marine Reserve.
Developed by The Cocoon Collection at a cost of around 40 million dollars, the "one island, one resort" retreat opened in June 2024 and was formally inaugurated by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in January 2025. It offers 70 villas, each with a private pool and butler service, four restaurants, solar power and its own desalination system, and has since joined The Leading Hotels of the World.
Restaurants and bars
- Teppanyaki restaurant — Restaurant · Asian
- Italian restaurant — Restaurant · Italian
Experiences
- Dine-around gourmet formula — A dine-around formula offering a wide variety of à la carte dining options, presented as a first for Zanzibar.
- Meet the chef — Immersive experience in which guests see the behind-the-scenes of the main kitchen, chat with the chef and learn recipe secrets at the Main Restaurant.
- Teppanyaki dining under an ancient baobab — Asian-flavoured teppanyaki restaurant set under the branches of an ancient baobab.
- Italian dining by the sea — Italian restaurant in a corner of the island by the sea.
- Healing Earth spa — Spa rituals rooted in ancient African wisdom.
- Snorkelling and marine exploration — Exploration of the island's protected waters with vibrant corals and marine life.
Amenities
- Private pool in each villa
- Luxurious amenities and refined interiors
- Indian Ocean views
- Sandbanks and crystal-clear waters for private enjoyment
- Private garden (Zanzibar Villa)
- Corner bar (Zanzibar Villa)
- Dedicated butler service in all villas
- Private butler in Lagoon Suites
- In-villa dining with chef on demand (Zanzibar Villa)
- Personalised culinary proposals (Sultan Palace)
- Private pool in every villa
- Dedicated butler service
- Helicopter landing platform
- Protected waters with coral reefs and marine life
- Helicopter transfers available on request
- Dedicated 24-hour butler service
Awards
- Zanzibar's Leading Luxury Resort 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
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