Lazy Lagoon lies in the Zanzibar Channel offshore from mainland Bagamoyo, the capital of German East Africa. Not only can it boast nine kilometers of deserted beach but it is also a natural reserve home to many small mammals, mangrove trees and patches of indigenous forest. An idyllic Robinson Crusoe Island, the perfect way to start or end a holiday safari. At Lazy Lagoon hotel, large airy rooms, wide shaded verandas, moon lit dinners down on the beach; peace and tranquility are just some of the reasons for spending a romantic few days at this wonderful Indian Ocean beach destination.

The town of Bagamoyo is the oldest town in Tanzania, founded by the end of the 18th century. It was the original capital of German East Africa and one of the most important trading ports along the East African coast. Today the town has circa 30,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the District of Bagamoyo, recently being designated as a world heritage site. Bagamoyo is located at 6°26′S 38°54′E. It lies 75 km north of Dar-es-Salaam on the coast of the Indian Ocean, close to the island of Zanzibar. Bagamoyo's history has been influenced by Indian and Arab traders, by the German colonial government and by Christian missionaries.

About 5 km south of Bagamoyo, the Kaole Ruins with remnants of two mosques and a couple of tombs can be dated back to the 13th century and show the importance of Islam in those early Bagamoyo times. Until the middle of the 18th century, Bagamoyo was a small and insignificant trading center where most of the population was fishermen and farmers. Main trading goods were fish, salt and gum among some other things. In the late 18th century Muslim families settled in Bagamoyo, all of whom were relatives of Shamvi la Magimba in Oman.

They made their living by enforcing taxes on the native population and by trading in salt, gathered from the Nunge coast north of Bagamoyo. In the first half of the 19th Century, Bagamoyo became a trading port for ivory and slave trade, with traders coming from the African interior, from places as far as Morogoro, Lake Tanganyika and Usambara on their way to Zanzibar. This explains the meaning of the word Bagamoyo ("Bwaga-Moyo") which means "Lay down your Heart" in Swahili, as the slaves were shipped by dhow to Zanzibar and never saw their home country again.
Slave trade officially ended in the year 1873, but well into the end of the 19th century, slaves were sold and traded in Bagamoyo. In 1868, Bagamoyo's Muslim's presented the Catholic "Fathers of the Holy Ghost" with land for a mission north of the town, the first mission in East Africa.

This caused resistance by the native Zaramo people which, after intervention by the French consul in Zanzibar was put down by Sultan Majid and after 1870 by Sultan Barghash. Originally the mission was intended to house children, who were rescued from slavery, but it soon expanded to a church, a school, and some workshops and farming projects.But Bagamoyo was not only a trade center for slaves, ivory and copra, it was also a starting point for some renowned European explorers. From Bagamoyo they moved out to find the source of the River Nile and explored the African inner lakes.

Some of these were David Livingstone, Richard Francis Burton, John Hanning Speke, Henry Morton Stanley and James Augustus Grant. Bagamoyo was the German headquarters of German East Africa in 1891. In the first year of World War I, a British air attack and naval bombardment was launched on Bagamoyo, the Germans overrun and the German garrison taken..When Seyyid Said, Sultan of Oman, decided to move his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar in 1940, Bagamoyo's importance began to decline.

Lazy Lagoon hotel Accomodation
Lazy lagoon has 12 self-contained beach bandas with twin or double beds. Upper loft can be organized as a private lounge area or bedroom accommodation for children. Other services at the Lazy Lagoon include complimentary laundry services, room services, and tea/coffee upon request.
Features of our rooms
• 12 self contained beach bandas with twin or double beds
• Upper loft can be lounge area or bedroom accommodation for children
• Private shaded verandah
• Room Service
• Complimentary laundry service
• Tea/Coffee available on request
• Generator for electricity until 11pm

Lazy Lagoon hotel Restaurant
Food served at Lazy Lagoon is abundant and varied. Breakfast is a choice of eggs prepared to your order, accompanied by sausage, beans and tomato, or pancakes and syrup, or oatmeal. Fresh bread, buns, juice, tea and coffee are also served. Lunch is a two-course meal prepared to your order. Dinner is three-course menu with a variety of seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes.

Lazy Lagoon hotel Activities
If sun worshipping, swimming and snorkelling are not enough for you; try kayaking to explore the lagoon and mangrove forest, a sunset dhow safari to nearby sand islands and the coral reef, or a visit to the nearby historical town of Bagamoyo.

Sunset Dhow Safari : At 5.30pm while the sun is starting to droop, we will take you by boat to a deserted sandy beach, where your host, will take you on a short evening stroll. On your return the chairs will be ready and the 'bubbly' on ice - sundowners surrounded by Indian Ocean.

Sailing/Boating : The island has a Laser I and a Laser II sailing dinghy for use by resident guests, plus windsurfers. Alternatively you can book a half day trip around the Lagoon to experience sailing the traditional Swahili way in a locally made 'Ngalawa'.
There are also a couple of kayak canoes, which are great for a more leisurely paddle around the lagoon and to explore the outer reaches of the island.

Swimming/Snorkelling : The island is protected by coral reef, and so not only does it avoid long periods when the tide is out, but it also has snorkelling from the beach. Snorkelling equipment is available to borrow.

Nature Trails : The island forms a small private nature reserve, and there are many resident small mammals; bushbabies, wildpigs, genets, baboons, duiker and suni antelope to be found amongst the indigenous forest and mangrove. Morning and evening walks are recommended to avoid the heat of the day. Bird life and flowers are abundant.