The Aiyana, a luxury hotel on Pemba Island

THE AIYANA, PEMBA ISLAND
From Arusha, you will reach Pemba Island by light aircraft, via Zanzibar.
Unlike Unguja (the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago, which everyone calls Zanzibar), Pemba has numerous hills with fertile land and dense vegetation. The Omanis called it The Green Island.

Rusticity is the soul of Pemba, with its farmers, fishermen and carpenters who are equally fond of long conversations and daydreaming in the shade of almond trees, with the same indolence as the zebu cattle sprawled on the ground.

Beyond the richness of its history and traditions, Pemba is known for its abundant natural resources and its ecosystem of magnificent beaches, mangroves and lush forests.

The coral reefs surrounding the island protect a multitude of marine species, offering exceptional diving and snorkelling spots.

You will spend 4 nights at The Aiyana, the newest hotel on Pemba, at the island’s northern tip. It is the most comfortable, chic and well-designed of all the island’s hotels.

On the Ras Kigomasha peninsula, north of Ngezi Forest, 1 hour 15 minutes by road from the airport, The Aiyana faces the ocean and was built using traditional materials by the people of Makangale, the neighbouring village.

With its private entrances flanked by pylons reminiscent of the temples lining the Nile, the place has a curious kinship with ancient Egyptian architecture.

Aiyana, in the Native American language, means “ever blooming”. And indeed, everything is arranged around the long tropical pool planted with water lilies, its waters cascading in tiers down toward the ocean.

All suites and villas (2 bedrooms), with their chic, understated design, have unobstructed ocean views.
Diving is available at a PADI centre just a few minutes from the hotel.