Baraza

unusually high levels of conventional comforts

Baraza Resort and Spa is located in the Bwejuu area of Zanzibar Island.

Despite at first sight appearing to be a strictly commercial property, Baraza Resort And Spa is actually a family owned and operated venture. Mother and daughter team Nathalie and Paulina Raguz also own the three adjacent properties in this location. Paulina herself is personally responsible for much of the design and decor. Over the years these guys have really learned how to run a slick operation in what can be a very challenging environment.

Approached through impressive gates and along a sweeping palm-lined driveway, the hotel is centred on elegant and extensive public areas with lovely lounge, dining, swimming pool and beachfront areas.

Passing through a rather lavish reception, we enter the resort proper, centred on a large palm and flower garden, surrounded by Arabic-style cloisters.

To the right is the Dhahabu Bar and Lounge. To the left is the formal Sultan’s Restaurant. Turning towards the beach we have the buffet-style Livingstone Terrace restaurant and a further open-sided lounge and bar area.

We then come to a very large and elegant swimming pool area, which leads out onto a very pleasant upper beach area with loungers and a further drinks station. To the left is the excellent watersports centre.

Back in the main building there is a fully equipped business centre. There is also a kiddie club which offers a wide range of entertainment for children of all ages.

At the rear of the plot, back near the entrance gate, there is a very extensive spa facility, with a wide range of facilities including jacuzzi, steam baths, yoga area, treatment rooms and a central swimming pool. There is also an extensive fitness centre and tennis court alongside.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Braza is in a total of 30 suite rooms in five different specifications, all with air-conditioning, minibar, wi-fi and television …

Ocean-Front Villas : x7 : There are seven of these single bedroom villas in the front row.

Ocean-View Villas : x7 : A further seven single bedroom villas make up the second row.

Sultan’s Sea-Facing Villas : x5 : In the third row there are five of these two bedroom villas, ideal for families.

Sultan’s Garden-View Villas : x10 : Making up the fourth and fifth rows are a further ten two-bedroom units, which are the lowest cost option.

Presidential Villa : x1 : Back on the front row, this very large suite has two bedrooms, a large private plunge pool, dining area, a small kitchen and a separate self-contained unit for a maid, guard or a butler.

Activities

Baraza provides access to the following activities, not all of which are necessarily included in the usual room rate …

• Spa treatments
• Snorkelling
• Diving
• Kite-surfing
• Sailing
• Kayaking
• Reef-walking
• Village walks
• Cultural interaction
• Island tours

Of all the diverse beach locations that can be added to a safari in East Africa, Zanzibar is by far the most popular and therefore tends to feature in a high proportion of trips.

The usual stay duration is 3-7 nights.

Seasonality

The climate on Zanzibar Island is tropical, with predominantly hot, humid and sunny conditions.

There is rain on most days of the year, usually taking the form of light showers. During the Nov-Dec and Mar-May rainy seasons these can turn into heavy and persistent downpours.

There can also be very strong winds during the May-Jun early dry season period.

The best times down on the coast are therefore considered to be Jul-Oct and Jan-Mar, when there is usually slightly less rain and wind.

Unfortunately, these best periods happen to coincide with the two peak seasons for visitor traffic.

Getting around

The majority of visitors to Zanzibar Island arrive via the international airport just southeast of Stone Town.
People including Zanzibar at the front end of their trip may arrive into Dar es Salaam over on the mainland, from where it is a short hop by light aircraft to the island.

Once on the island it is usual to travel around by guided overland transfers. Self-drive is most definitely not recommended.

by far the most popular beach location in East Africa