Verani Beach Lodge

Verani Beach Lodge is the place to everybody that wants to experience a true Tanzanian hospitality and nature. The place is quite simple, but has everything you need to enjoy this piece of paradise. Electricity and wifi were available all the time. There is no hot water, but during daytime it was quite warm and it was absolutely enough with this hot weather. The chef, Abu, will prepare for you anything your harts desire. All the meals are available in Verani upon request. Truly delicious cuisine. The beach is unique, full of ancient coral reef and beautiful shells. Nearby you can find a fancy beachbar with sunbeds. You can book inhouse all kind of activities available on the island. Nearby there are also 2 diving centres if you want to enjoy the beauty of coral reef.

It’s right on the beach and the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful.

It would be nice to have a running shower rather than a bucket shower.

I had a wonderful stay at Verani Lodge. Not because it was a 5-star experience, hardly! BUT I was expecting absolute basic and what it was was much more than that and something else, too. I booked due to the affordability and the proximity to Afro Divers. It is less than 5 min walk. I expected no hot water (true) and maybe electricity (had throughout stay) and maybe wifi (had though a bit weak/slow intermittently.) But really, it was all I needed for a couple days of diving, and then some. The owner, Kake, couldn’t have been friendlier, more helpful, or more informative about the island of Pemba. His family is from not only the island but the immediate area, and he treats guests like family. He showed me around the island a bit on the way from and to the airport (he also does the transfers; allow extra time!). He arranged seafood dinners that, though they took some time to prepare, were better than just about any food I had in Africa in the 3 weeks prior, including at a couple fancy safari lodges. The octopus in coconut sauce with potato greens and ugali was soooo good. They are growing produce on the property too. They also put on a lovely beachside seafood BBQ. If I ever make it back to Pemda to dive some more (and the diving was beyond expected too), I’d happily stay there again. Kake and his staff were a pleasure. This is what you’re looking for if you want to feel like you’re visiting Pemba island rather than a generic resort.

Some basic amenities would have been nice to provide without needing to ask: a new roll of toilet paper (had like 20% of a roll), a towel, and soap (all of which they had but needed to ask) and shampoo (which they did not have at all but Kake lent me his own conditioner.) A waste bin in the room (was on the porch); available power strips for guests (I borrowed the only one they had from the office.) The room needed a better sweeping before check-in. Swept well upon request, though.

The place is awesome. Good breakfastt and the workers was very great and helpful.

If you like the warm water, this is not your place.