Where to Stay on Zanzibar’s North Coast: Nungwi, Kendwa and Matemwe Compared

The northern tip of Unguja island is the part of Zanzibar most associated with beach holidays after a Tanzanian safari. Resorts, small guesthouses and villas are strung along the western and eastern shores, and the character changes noticeably from one bay to the next.

This guide explains how the area is laid out, which kinds of accommodation you will find and how to match a base to the kind of holiday you want. It is written to help you ask better questions, rather than to rank individual properties.

This guide is part of our where to stay in Uganda guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

How the North Coast Is Laid Out

The north is a long finger of coast that bends around the tip of the island. On the north-western side you find Nungwi and Kendwa, where the beaches face the sunset and the sea tends to stay deep enough for swimming for much more of the day. Around the corner on the north-eastern side lies the Matemwe stretch, which faces the sunrise and looks out towards Mnemba Island. Between them sit smaller villages, fishing communities and a scattering of plots where accommodation has been built. Roads from Stone Town and the airport run up the spine of the island and branch out to each bay, so your transfer length is similar across the area, but the final stretch to some properties can be on sandy tracks. Read Zanzibar beaches by region for the wider island picture.

Nungwi: Lively and Practical

Nungwi is a working village with a long history of dhow building, and it has more restaurants, shops, dive centres and bars than the neighbouring bays. That makes it easy to eat out, arrange excursions without relying on your hotel, and find a social atmosphere in the evening. The trade-off is that the busiest strip can feel crowded, and some of the beach frontage is shared between guests, boat crews and local life. Travellers who like having things within walking distance, and who want a choice of evening venues, usually enjoy it. Those seeking silence should ask exactly where on the shoreline a property sits and how far it is from music venues.

Kendwa: Relaxed Beach Days

Kendwa lies a short distance along the coast and is generally quieter, with a long open beach and a more resort-based feel. It is often chosen by couples and families who want straightforward swimming and sunsets rather than a busy village scene. Many properties here are larger beachfront hotels, with some small guesthouses set back from the sand. Evenings can still be lively on the beach on certain nights, so it is worth asking whether events take place near your room. Because the beach is wide, check how the property manages sunbeds and shade, particularly if you are travelling with young children or older relatives.

Matemwe and the East: Quiet and Tidal

The eastern stretch around Matemwe is known for calm and space. Accommodation tends to be smaller, more secluded and often more expensive in style, with villas, boutique lodges and a handful of guesthouses. It is popular with honeymooners and anyone who wants peace. The key difference is the tide: on the east coast the water can retreat a long way, leaving shallow flats at certain hours, so swimming times shift daily. Snorkelling and boat trips towards Mnemba Island are planned around the tide. If swimming at any hour is a priority, ask how the beach behaves at low tide and whether the property has a pool.

Accommodation Types to Expect

Expect large beach resorts with several restaurants and all-inclusive options, boutique hotels with a few dozen rooms, family-run guesthouses, private villas and some apartments. Tented-style lodges and eco-minded properties exist but are less common. Resorts suit families and travellers who want everything on site. Boutique places suit couples. Guesthouses suit independent travellers who prefer to eat in villages. Villas suit groups who want a kitchen, a cook or privacy. Whatever you choose, confirm what meals, drinks, transfers and activities are included, as arrangements vary widely and official rates change by season.

What to Ask Before You Book

Ask how far the property is from the beach and whether the beach is usable at low tide. Ask about noise from nearby venues, about air conditioning and power backup, about whether there is a pool, and about how water sports are managed around swimmers. Ask what is included on a half-board or all-inclusive plan, and whether excursions such as dolphin trips, snorkelling or sunset dhow cruises are provided by the hotel or by independent operators. If you are arriving after a long safari day, ask about airport transfer times and whether a late arrival meal is possible.

Seasons, Combining and Next Steps

The island is warm all year, with heavier rain in the long rains around April and May and a shorter wet spell in the later months of the year. Many travellers visit in the drier months, so popular properties fill early. For planning, see combining a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar, Stone Town and spice tours and the best time to visit Tanzania. Your operator can then match a bay to your dates and safari route.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team