Where to stay

Kendwa beach at sunset

Area Feel For whom
Nungwi and Kendwa Swimming at any hour, sunsets First stay, gentle nightlife
Matemwe White sand, calm, snorkelling at Mnemba Privacy, villas and boutique hotels
Kiwengwa Resorts, adults-only hotels, wide beaches Comfortable all-round stay

What to book

Hotel pool in Zanzibar among palm trees

Aim for a villa or hotel with a private pool, breakfast on the terrace and dinner on the beach. Then add a few outings:

Experience Why choose it Price
Mnemba: boat, dolphins and snorkelling Turquoise sea, 4.7 out of 5, over 1,400 reviews Shown on the booking page
Safari Blue (Menai Bay lagoon) A day on a dhow, snorkelling and seafood lunch Shown on the booking page
Stone Town with slave market A day of culture, 4.5 out of 5, 437 reviews Shown on the booking page

See the Stone Town guide.

Practical

White sand at Matemwe

Hotels are one to two hours from the airport: see from the airport to the hotels. For swimming by tide, see when to visit Zanzibar and the beaches. Zanzibar is mostly Muslim: dress modestly in town.

FAQ

How many nights?

Six to nine nights: four on the coast, two or three elsewhere, plus a night in Stone Town.

North or east?

North to swim at any hour, east for calm and privacy.

Can I combine it with a safari?

Yes, but insurance and formalities change: see travel insurance for Zanzibar.

Pour aller plus loin

Continue with where to stay in Zanzibar, Nungwi and Kendwa and Zanzibar in 7 days.