Aerial view of crescent-shaped Fanjove Private Island with pristine white beach and turquoise Indian Ocean waters in Tanzania
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Fanjove Island

A secluded private island retreat in the Songo Songo Archipelago, just off Tanzania's coast.

Set adrift in the Songo Songo Archipelago, Fanjove Island feels like a secret the Indian ...
Set adrift in the Songo Songo Archipelago, Fanjove Island feels like a secret the Indian Ocean forgot to share. At its heart lies Fanjove Private Island Lodge, a barefoot luxury lodge that blends castaway seclusion with understated elegance. Six palm-thatched villas open directly onto white sand and the glittering 11 km coral reef, where guests can snorkel through kaleidoscopic coral gardens or dive alongside bottlenose dolphins and the occasional humpback whale during their migration along Tanzania’s coast. Days unfold at your own pace: kayak through glassy shallows, join a dhow sunset cruise, picnic on the sandbank, or watch green and hawksbill turtles nest under the stars. The island’s 19th-century Fanjove lighthouse stands sentinel over this remote island retreat, while evenings bring barefoot dinners lit by lanterns and a canopy of constellations. Beyond the beach, birdwatching reveals flocks of terns, sandpipers, and migratory shorebirds, while the island’s off-grid design embodies sustainable travel in Tanzania: solar power, rainwater collection, and locally sourced produce make every stay light on the earth. Whether ending a marine safari in Tanzania or seeking a tropical honeymoon escape, this private island retreat in East Africa offers the rare luxury of space, silence, and ocean wilderness all to yourself.

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Best time to go to Fanjove Island

The best time to visit is from June to March, when the seas are calm, visibility peaks, and marine life thrives. Between June and October, cooler, clear conditions are perfect for snorkelling, diving, and dolphin encounters. From August to November, humpback whales migrate past the island, while green and hawksbill turtles nest on its beaches from April to August. The short rainy season in November brings dramatic skies but little disruption, and December to March offers warm tropical days ideal for sandbank picnics and dhow cruises.

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What our travellers are saying

With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!

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Margherita

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Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.

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Stefano

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We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!

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Linda

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I spent one of my most exciting and beautiful holidays with Viatu in Namibia. From unforgettable game drives, lodges with stunning locations, delicious food and an adventurous cycling trip through the desert, we got the full package.

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Manuel

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From the first contact to trip preparation and implementation as well as support during the trip, Viatu always acted very professionally. Our wishes and the given financial framework were taken into account. The hotels, the food, the activities - everything was excellent and highly recommended.

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Nadja

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We booked our honeymoon with Viatu. From the first minute on, we had good communication going with our travel agent, and she suggested a very nice itinerary right away. After some little adjustments that were easily done, we were ready to go.

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Nora

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I'm very thankful for my first Viatu experience. The 3-week trip across Namibia combined incredible landscapes and nature, mindblowing eco-friendly lodges and utter peace of mind. The organisation and support of the Viatu team were spot-on - this is the way to impress. Thanks a lot!

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Christoph

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The recommended accommodations were perfect for us and everything was as expected. Even though we booked on very short notice, everything went smoothly and was well managed by Viatu.

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Jan

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We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.

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Valerie

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Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.

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Nicole

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With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!

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Margherita

verified iconVerified Traveller

Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.

avatar icon

Stefano

verified iconVerified Traveller

We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!

avatar icon

Linda

verified iconVerified Traveller

I spent one of my most exciting and beautiful holidays with Viatu in Namibia. From unforgettable game drives, lodges with stunning locations, delicious food and an adventurous cycling trip through the desert, we got the full package.

avatar icon

Manuel

verified iconVerified Traveller

From the first contact to trip preparation and implementation as well as support during the trip, Viatu always acted very professionally. Our wishes and the given financial framework were taken into account. The hotels, the food, the activities - everything was excellent and highly recommended.

avatar icon

Nadja

verified iconVerified Traveller

We booked our honeymoon with Viatu. From the first minute on, we had good communication going with our travel agent, and she suggested a very nice itinerary right away. After some little adjustments that were easily done, we were ready to go.

avatar icon

Nora

verified iconVerified Traveller

I'm very thankful for my first Viatu experience. The 3-week trip across Namibia combined incredible landscapes and nature, mindblowing eco-friendly lodges and utter peace of mind. The organisation and support of the Viatu team were spot-on - this is the way to impress. Thanks a lot!

avatar icon

Christoph

verified iconVerified Traveller

The recommended accommodations were perfect for us and everything was as expected. Even though we booked on very short notice, everything went smoothly and was well managed by Viatu.

avatar icon

Jan

verified iconVerified Traveller

We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.

avatar icon

Valerie

verified iconVerified Traveller

Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.

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Nicole

verified iconVerified Traveller
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