Sustainability at Xanadu

Bowl of spices arranged among tropical leaves

Our contribution to healthy living and preserving nature

We recognize that sustainable operations across our resort play a major role in achieving our purpose to preserve and protect the nature of Zanzibar for future generations. We consistently strive to be more sustainable by trying to reduce our ecological footprint.

So far we have made some small steps in our sustainability achievements, and would like to share it with you. Have a look.

Fresh green leaves held during a Zanzibar spice farm tour

We harvest vegetables from our garden

The Xanadu Garden and Animal Farm have been one of our most prominent undertakings. We cultivate organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables that are cultivated and harvested seasonally.

We expanded our vegetable and herb garden in 2020 and also added livestock to the farming operations. We endeavor to grow as much of our own organic produce and our selection of chickens, ducks, pigs and goats supply organic meat and byproduct. What we cannot produce ourselves we strive, where possible to source locally, especially when produced organically and in a sustainable manner.

Fruits

Papaya, Cherry tomatoes, Plum tomatoes, Bananas, Coconuts, Lime tree, Passion fruit

Hand holding a leafy branch during a farm tour

Herbs and Edible flowers

Merigolds, Mint, Lemon grass, Basil, Rocket, Coriander, Chillis, Dill

Vegetables

Fennel, Kale, Eggplant, Pumpkin leaves, Spinach, Chinese cabbage, Green mealies, Beetroot, Radish, Carrots, Green beans

Animal Farm

Our modest farm comprises chickens, ducks, goats, pigs, and a cow for milk production.

Hands harvesting plant roots from the soil

Composting

Composting waste from the chicken coop is utilized in the garden. The pruning from our lush green gardens also aids in the composting process.

Staff member carving a star-shaped tropical fruit

People working beside wooden boats on the shore at low tide

Our fish comes from local fisherman

Not all foods are available every day or week. If the fishermen come, there is fish, otherwise, there isn’t. Supporting local fishermen that fish sustainably, observing breeding seasons, for example, lobster season, and never ever procuring any endangered or slow breeding species all help our mission of conserving, and guests can rest assured that we have taken all these steps and still produce world-class meals.

Ocean Foraging

Our team forages the turquois waters for delicacies like sea urchin and sea snails.

Seaweed farmer carrying a fresh harvest through shallow water

Sustainable and still luxurious

Our best interest to implement more environmentally sustainable measures

Hand holding a bundle of discarded plastic straws on the beach

Keeping our oceans clean

Plastic reduction is an important component of our environmental efforts. To do this, we have substituted plastic bottles with Chako's locally-made recycled glass bottles. Chako Zanzibar is an organization that supports indigenous artisan craft manufacturers, primarily women, to be creative and artistic. They promote the "Tourist2Tourist" concept, which means they create souvenirs for tourists out of recyclable material.

Gloved volunteers collecting plastic waste from the beach

Recycling and upcycling

We undertake sustainable waste management by segregating garbage into distinct categories of disposal. We work together with Zanrec Plastic Firm Limited, a waste management firm that focuses on sustainable waste management through collection, separation, recycling, and upcycling. Waste management begins in the kitchen with waste classification into three categories: glass, plastic, and organic. Chako collects glass, Zanrec collects plastic and non-biodegradable waste, and we send organic waste to our garden. This process brings waste full circle in a sustainable manner.

Hand picking up a clear plastic cup from the sand

The best for the environment and the best for you

It is in our best interest to implement more environmentally sustainable measures, and still provide a luxurious experience for our guests.

Local materials & traditional building techniques of the design

We strive to use materials for our buildings that are local and environmentally friendly. Tanga Stone from the mainland and recycled Dhow boat wood for the majority of our carpentry are only 2 examples but very visible in the design. Supporting local and using traditional manual building techniques reduces our carbon footprint and also assists with job creating and skills development.

Explore the finished Villa

Watch the video about the construction of Villa Nyota

Spa therapist giving a guest a facial treatment

Job creation and training

Part of the commitment of investors in Zanzibar is to constantly improve the skillset. The vast majority of our employees are Tanzanian and training and career development is an ongoing process.

Local workers constructing a well near the coast

Server attending to guests at an outdoor dining table

3 pillars of our sustainability philosophy

Sustainability is most often defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It has three main pillars: economic, environmental, and social. These three pillars are informally referred to as people, planet and profits.