Kendwa

Kendwa is a village in the north of Zanzibar, about 3 km south from Nungwi.

Understand
Kendwa is famous for its beach with fine white sand or ground shells. The water is turquoise blue, the sunsets spectacular and the local boat activity picturesque. The village exists mainly for tourism purposes, the beach bungalow hotels face the sea and there's a connecting back road, with a few local houses.

Get in
Kendwa is about 1½ km west off the main road to Nungwi. The connecting unpaved road from the main route was re-graded in 2007 but is already in bad condition again.

By bus
From the main bus station in Stone Town you can get on a daladala headed to Nungwi for about TSh2,000 per person. Ask the driver to let you get off at the Kendwa junction, from there it's another 1½ km west. There’s not much shade and this can be a tough hike in summer. You can also continue with the bus till Nungwi and catch a taxi from there to Kendwa for about TSh10,000.

By taxi
A taxi or private car from Stone Town will set you back at least TSh70,000 (this is doing well though - $40+ is more common) and the trip takes about 1½ hours. Expect to pay more than this if coming from another beach.

By shuttle
This collects you from your accommodation and drops you wherever you like in Kendwa. From Stone Town the journey takes 1½ hours and costs US$10 p/p and from the South East coast it takes around 2 hours and costs US$12 p/p. You need to book tickets online from here: The Zanzibus

By boat
You can also take a private boat to/from Nungwi (from TSh20,000, 10 minutes).

By foot
Coming from Nungwi, it’s an easy walk (about 3 km, 30 minutes) along the beach during low tide. Due to a rocky coast the route becomes impassible with higher tides. The only option at high tide is using the back roads, which are unpleasant to walk due to heat and traffic.

There is only a few meters difference here between high and low tides so swimming is possible any time of day. There may be some cloud and wind and quick rainshowers in June/July but the sun is usually out and the weather very pleasant.

One could perhaps walk to Nungwi at low tide and take the sunset cruise from there and ask to be dropped off at Kendwa or take a bus back to the Kendwa junction (TSh300 per person) and walk from there.

Eat
Meals are US$5-12 at the various restaurants on the beach. Although some of the restaurants have smaller portions, the food is delicious and mostly cooked well. Seafood dishes are recommended over beef or chicken.


 * At the Taj Mahal restaurant of the Amaan Kendwa hotel a whole fish per person (red snapper) is grilled to perfection.
 * The restaurant at Kendwa Breezes has excellent Prawns Pili Pili and Lobster Thermidor.

Sleep
Kendwa has limited accommodation and prices are still on the rise. During high season (July & August, December & January) reservations are recommended. Particularly around New Years Eve, the Kendwa hotels can be fully booked as far in advance as the preceding July. If you don't find a place here, consider staying in Nungwi which is not too far away.

Budget

 * There’s also a guesthouse off the beach at the backroad, which might be worth trying.
 * There’s also a guesthouse off the beach at the backroad, which might be worth trying.
 * There’s also a guesthouse off the beach at the backroad, which might be worth trying.

Uncategorized

 * La Rosa Dei Venti +255 777 411 314
 * Malaika Bungalows +255 777 856 167