We talk to Bianca about what made her choose Kilindi and ask her to share a few tips on considerations when booking a honeymoon
What made you choose Zanzibar and Kilindi for your honeymoon
After doing safari for the first leg of our honeymoon adventure we knew that we wanted peace and beautiful views to really decompress and relax and the Kilindi was the perfect place for this. It is a real luxury experience - a kind of quiet magic that you want to bottle and take home with you.
What were the stand out things at Kilindi that really made the honeymoon special
Honestly, it was the way the whole stay felt so personal. From the moment we arrived, the welcome was warm and genuine- not just a glass of something cold in hand, but the entire team making you feel as though you were already part of the family. That sense of ease set the tone for everything that followed. Having a dedicated butler was such a unique touch too; our butler, Sephania, was incredible. He had this discreet, almost intuitive way of anticipating what we might want before we even realised it ourselves — whether it was arranging a couples massage, or making sure our floating breakfast was in our room just as the sun hit the water. It made the whole trip feel special, which is such a luxury after the whirlwind of wedding planning. On top of that, the intimacy of the villa meant every moment felt just for us. It’s those layers of thoughtfulness, both in design and in service, that made it feel truly special.
Do you have any advice for people planning their honeymoons
Definitely. Much like a wedding, honeymoons can come with a lot of pressure - you want it to be perfect, and that can get overwhelming. My biggest piece of advice is to start with a plan and a budget you feel comfortable with, and really stick to it. It’s so easy to get swept up in the idea of “it’s our honeymoon, let’s do it all,” but having those boundaries in place actually makes the little indulgences feel even more magical, because they become intentional treats rather than just another expense. I’d also say, think about the pace of the trip. A lot of couples pack in multiple stops, but what we really valued was time to just slow down together after all the busyness of the wedding. Finally, choose somewhere that reflects you both — whether that’s total relaxation, adventure, or a mix of the two — because the most special honeymoons are the ones that feel like an extension of your story as a couple.
As a sustainability expert, do you have any recommendations on how people can make better choices when planning their honeymoon.
Absolutely — I always say it starts with being intentional. Think about the places you’re staying, not just in terms of aesthetics, but in terms of impact. For honeymoons especially, people often want somewhere memorable and indulgent, but indulgence doesn’t have to mean excess. Look for properties that invest back into their local communities, source produce from nearby farmers, and minimise waste. Even little choices, like flying direct where possible or booking a stay that prioritises natural ventilation over heavy air conditioning - can make a difference. And of course, I’d encourage couples to plan experiences that connect them to the culture and environment rather than just consuming it; whether that’s a cooking class with local ingredients, a conservation project visit, or even just choosing to dine local instead of imported. It all adds up.
Were there any stand-out sustainability stories at Kilindi that particularly inspired you
What really struck me at Kilindi was how sustainability wasn’t "tacked on", it felt woven into the whole ethos of the resort. The architecture itself is so open that you hardly need artificial cooling, which is both eco-friendly and genuinely more enjoyable; you wake up to sea breezes instead of air conditioning. They also recycle water on-site and are conscious about reducing plastic, which seems small but makes such a difference on an island. What I loved most though was the human side of the experience; the team is largely local, and you can feel the pride they take in sharing Zanzibar’s culture. It reminded me that sustainability isn’t just about the environment, it’s also about community, and Kilindi balances both beautifully.
To follow Bianca in Instagram please visits @sustainablyinfluenced and @biancaffoley
