About Us
The story of the twisted palm
The Story of the Twisted Palm
We are often asked how we managed to shape our twisted palm tree.
The truth is, no one shapes better than Nature itself. Some say the tree bent in search of sunlight. Others believe it was twisted by the wind during a storm.
One landscaper even imagined it bending to create shade for passing animals. Through all these stories, one thing remains: this palm tree is special.
In February 2022, Tarek Matouk and Sultan Alazem felt its quiet energy and decided to save it from a road expansion. They did not know yet that this rescued tree would become the very first seed of Be Zanzibar. Because a rescued tree still needs roots. It needs a home.
From this palm tree, Be Zanzibar was born: a peaceful beachfront cocoon in Jambiani, where nature, simplicity and connection are at the heart of everything.
Today, the twisted palm still stands more beautifully than ever. Not only for how it looks, but for what it represents: a place where love, dreams and friendships quietly take root.
Be Zanzibar was born from a friendship, a shared love for nature, and the dream of creating a place that feels both beautiful and deeply welcoming.
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TarekOur Founder
Tarek Matouk, originally from Syria, is an entrepreneur with a creative soul. Passionate about design, travel and meaningful spaces, he fell in love with Zanzibar's raw energy and authenticity.
With his eye for detail and instinct for beauty, Tarek shaped the heart and aesthetic of Be Zanzibar, creating more than a hotel: a warm, soulful home by the ocean.
SultanOur Founder
Sultan Alazem, based in Dubai, is a businessman with a love for kitesurfing, adventure and discovering unique places around the world.
His partnership with Tarek is built on friendship, trust and a shared vision of creating something inspiring, peaceful and full of life.
Together, they planted the roots of Be Zanzibar: a place where guests arrive as visitors, and leave feeling part of the family.