Lazy Lagoon

For blissful, barefoot indulgence of the sand-and-sea kind, this Indian Ocean retreat is hard to beat

After the full-on thrill of an East African safari, your natural inclination is to head for the beach, kick back and savour your wildlife experiences. The Fox family know that beach and bush are natural bedfellows, and a stay at their Lazy Lagoon lodge dovetails perfectly with a visit to one or a number of their game camps.

Their makuti-thatched lodge and 12 bandas hug the southernmost tip of a 7-mile long peninsula which arcs out from the Tanzanian coast. All that separates you from the mainland is a 15-minute ride by motor launch across the lagoon, yet as soon your feet hit the white coral sand it feels as if you’ve found your own Treasure Island.

There’s precious little to do apart from beachcomb, swim or snorkel in the warmest of seas, or laze in your hammock and watch the passing dhows. But if ‘lazy’ and ‘indulgent’ figure high on your holiday wishlist, this place will be for you.

Highs

• The bandas are intimate, comfortable and airy living spaces; you’ll be loath to drag yourself away from your ocean-facing deck
• Seven miles of postcard-perfect, deserted beach
• Dine just yards from the ocean with your toes in the sand
• The lodge feels remote and Eden-esque, yet is easily accessible from Dar es Sala’am
• Sunrises over Zanzibar and sunsets over a palm-fringed coast: this place is romantic with a capital R
• Genuinely friendly staff and young, enthusiastic managers helped make our stay at Lazy Lagoon doubly special

Lows

• The water supply to the bandas was a little sporadic when we stayed
• If you’re looking for an action-packed destination, Lazy Lagoon won't be right
• If you plan to snorkel you might be best off bringing your own gear; equipment at the lodge is limited
• Be aware that there are strong currents in the lagoon so check with camp staff where and when it is safe to swim - although there's always the pool