Kiwengwa is the largest and, in my opinion, the most beautiful resort on the northern half of Zanzibar’s east coast.

Of all the surrounding resorts, it has the best facilities, including services such as mini-markets, cash machines and restaurants, as well as the most beautiful beach.

What I liked about Kiwengwa:

• beautiful long beaches
• plenty of amenities in town (cash machines, a mini-market and more)
• a quieter atmosphere than in larger resorts such as Nungwi or Paje
• affordable, good-quality hotels

Is Kiwengwa one of the best resorts in Zanzibar?

In my opinion, Kiwengwa isn’t the best all-round resort.

It doesn’t have the easiest access to the beach, the liveliest town centre or the strongest local atmosphere. Its advantage lies elsewhere: it offers a very wide choice of resorts and serves as a convenient base for a peaceful holiday with organised excursions.

For a resort holiday on the east coast, Kiwengwa is one of the best choices. The hotels here offer all-inclusive packages, swimming pools, private sun loungers and a full range of services. However, there are significant differences between the individual resorts in terms of price, location and quality.

Paje is better suited to independent travellers. It has more independent restaurants, bars, kitesurfing schools and a lively nightlife.

Nungwi and Kendwa are better for swimming. The tide has less of an effect there, and you don’t have to walk hundreds of metres to reach the sea.

Kiwengwa is therefore more of a very good compromise than a place that is the best in every respect.

Beach facilities

Kiwengwa Beach is a long, spacious beach with fine, light-coloured sand. It’s great for walking and running, and thanks to its east-facing orientation, you can watch the sun rise over the ocean from here.

To the north, the coastline continues towards Pwani Mchangani, whilst to the south it is flanked by smaller hotel areas leading towards Pongwe. The entire stretch is one of the longest beaches in Zanzibar.

When is the best time to go swimming in Kiwengwe?

Swimming is most comfortable mainly at high tide and for a few hours either side of it. The water is gently sloping and remains shallow for a long way out.

At low tide, the water recedes more than 500 metres from the shore. You’ll have to forget about a proper swim for a few hours then. Tide times vary each day, so be sure to check the tide table before you set off.

Low tide also allows for walks across the exposed seabed. I recommend wearing water shoes, as sharp corals and sea urchins can be found in places. For a longer walk towards the reef, it is safer to set off with a local guide.

Seaweed naturally accumulates on the east coast. The amount varies depending on the currents, the wind and the specific part of the beach, and no hotel can guarantee perfectly clean sand every day.

Sun loungers, restaurants and vendors

Entry to the beach is free and you are free to walk along the seashore. However, sun loungers and parasols usually belong to the hotels and are reserved for their guests.

On the beach, you’ll come across vendors selling souvenirs, coconuts, fruit and day trips. They can be quite persistent, particularly in front of larger resorts. If you’re not interested, a brief and polite refusal is usually enough.

There aren’t as many independent restaurants right on the beach as there are in Paje. Most of the higher-quality establishments are run by hotels, and the prices reflect this. You’re more likely to find cheaper local food and small shops between the coast and the main road.

Kiwengwa town centre and amenities

Kiwengwa is not a continuous resort with a single main promenade. The hotels are scattered along several kilometres of coastline and are often separated from the main road by unpaved tracks.

In the central part of the village, you’ll find mini-markets, a few simple restaurants, stalls selling local food and basic tourist services. However, the large resorts on the northern and southern outskirts may be several kilometres away.

You should therefore always check the exact location of the hotel before booking. The name ‘Kiwengwa’ is also used by booking websites and travel agencies to refer to a wider stretch of coastline towards Pwani Mchangani.

A hotel may have excellent facilities of its own, but there may be practically nothing within walking distance outside its grounds.

Where to stay in Kiwengwa

In my opinion, the wide choice of accommodation is Kiwengwa’s greatest strength. You’ll find everything from simple rooms for solo travellers to large resorts that attract package tours from all over Europe.

• Central Kiwengwa – best for essential shops, local restaurants and independent travel.
• The southern part of the coast – quieter hotels and resorts, but a longer journey into the village.
• Northwards towards Pwani Mchangani – large and often secluded resorts, where most of your holiday will be spent within the complex.

Holidays with a travel agency

Kiwengwa has one of the widest ranges of package holidays on offer in Zanzibar. A package deal makes particular sense for all-inclusive resorts, as the price covers your flight, checked-in luggage, airport transfer, hotel and meals.

When comparing this to booking separately, don’t just compare the package price with the room rate on Booking.com. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of the flight, transport from the airport and meals.

When choosing from the hotels on offer, I would base my decision on the following requirements:

• Good value all-inclusive: Kiwengwa Beach Resort ***** – a large resort about 1 km from the village, with a swimming pool, entertainment programmes and a beach accessible via the hotel gardens. A good choice for families and for those who are mainly looking for a reasonable price.
• Wideest choice of dates: VOI Kiwengwa Resort **** – a well-established resort right on the beach with all-inclusive facilities, sports facilities and entertainment programmes. I’d choose this for a classic holiday where you don’t need to leave the hotel very often.
• A higher-quality resort for families: Bluebay Beach Resort ***** – a sprawling complex set in a tropical garden right on the beach, about 3 km from the village. It has a kids’ club, sports facilities and shares some services with the neighbouring Sultan Sands.
• Luxury and privacy: Meliá Zanzibar ***** – a large, secluded resort with several restaurants, swimming pools and adults-only areas. The grounds are extensive and some rooms are situated some distance from the beach; guests are transported there by golf buggies.

A hotel for independent travellers

Booking independently is a better option if you want to explore Zanzibar, don’t need an all-inclusive package, or are only planning to stay in Kiwengwa for a few nights.

I’d recommend these hotels, as each one caters to a different need:

• The lowest possible price: Zanzibar Tropical Sunset Boutique Hotel – a simple, well-reviewed hotel about 300 metres from the beach. Suitable for travellers who don’t mind a short walk to the sea.
• Affordable accommodation right on the beach: Surfescape Zanzibar – basic rooms and apartments right on the seafront. I’d choose this for its location, not for extensive hotel facilities.
• Best value for money: Seashore Beach Hotel ****** – a more modern, smaller hotel right by the sea for those who want a swimming pool and more comfortable facilities without the scale of a large all-inclusive resort.
• Resort-style comfort with a self-catering booking: Turkuaz Beach Zanzibar – a larger hotel in a quieter part of the coast, south of the centre. A good choice if you want resort services but are only booking accommodation.

You can find further areas, indicative prices and practical advice in the chapter on accommodation in Zanzibar.

Things to do and places to visit

Kiwengwa itself is not a resort brimming with sights or nightlife.

Most activities take place on the beach or within the hotel resorts. These include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, boat trips, diving and other water sports.

Its location on the north-east coast is ideal for trips to Mnemba Atoll, Issa Spice Farm or Stone Town. For quieter beaches, head to Pwani Mchangani or Matemwe.

You can book excursions at the hotel, from vendors on the beach or online. Hotel packages are usually convenient but often more expensive. When booking online, check the organiser’s reviews, cancellation terms and, most importantly, whether the price includes collection from Kiwengwe.

Compare excursions and activities from Kiwengwa

We describe further options in our guide to things to do in Zanzibar.

How to get to Kiwengwa

Kiwengwa is situated on the north-eastern coast, about 45 to 50 km from Zanzibar Airport. Depending on traffic, the journey by car takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Transfer included in the tour

On organised holidays, the transfer between the airport and the hotel is usually included in the price. The journey is by coach or minibus and may take longer due to stops at other resorts.

Taxi or hire car

If you’re travelling independently, the most convenient option is a taxi or a pre-arranged hotel transfer. Taximeters aren’t used, so make sure you confirm the final price before setting off.

The fare for a taxi from the airport to Kiwengwa should be around 60 usd.

Send the driver the exact location of your hotel. Some resorts several kilometres from the village itself are also marketed under the name ‘Kiwengwa’.

If you want to go on more independent excursions, it may be worth hiring a car in Zanzibar. Parking is usually no problem at large hotels, but for smaller accommodation, please check arrival and parking arrangements in advance.

Dala-dala bus

Kiwengwu is served by two routes:

• 117 – the easiest direct connection to Stone Town
• 223 – a route via Pongwe and Uroa towards Stone Town; some services terminate at Pongwe and do not continue on to Kiwengwa

Dala-dalas do not have a reliable timetable or fixed stops. You pay the conductor in cash only, in Tanzanian shillings. If you have a large suitcase, a taxi is more convenient.

Tuk-tuks are also available in the centre, but for more remote resorts, they often need to be booked through reception. We describe all the options in the chapter on transport in Zanzibar.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Zanzibar.