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Nungwi & Kendwa

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

On Zanzibar Island’s northernmost tip, the once sleepy village of Nungwi is still the traditional centre of dhow buildings on Zanzibar.

An old favourite among backpackers and hippies, the scene has transformed in recent years with hotels, bars, hostels, and dive centres now lining the sandy shoreline in a near continuous strip southwest of Kendwa.

The still relatively quiet village of Kendwa has also expanded, but its uniquely wide beach and understated resorts continue to offer a more laid-back vibe.

This region is perfect for a relaxing holiday in Zanzibar and is suitable for young travellers looking for a good time.

Highlights of Nungwi & Kendwa

Full moon beach parties: Although relatively quiet for the rest of the month, Kendwa pumps up the volume of each full moon with a lively beach party that draws visitors from around the island.

Kendwa’s full moon parties are legendary and remain one of Zanzibar’s favourite holiday attractions.

Dhow building and village tours: Nungwi Beach remains a focal point for Zanzibari shipbuilding, where skilled shipwrights use age-old methods and tools to turn rough timber planks into ocean-going dhows.

Village tours can also be arranged for those interested in discovering the cultural side of dhow building and how the tradition persists through the centuries.

Travel Tips for Nungwi & Kendwa

  • Although luxury hotels are now available, Nungwi and especially Kendwa remain two of the best destinations on Zanzibar Island for quality, affordable accommodation – head here if you’re looking for a party.
  • Kendwa has the better beach, and the deeper water on the north-western strip means swimming is possible throughout the day; the island’s eastern beaches are almost all tide-dependent.

$1350 USD

$1890 USD

per person sharing

$2290 USD

$3500 USD

per person sharing

$4250 USD

$5050 USD

per person sharing

Zanzibar Tours

$4250 USD

$5050 USD

per person sharing

$1350 USD

$1890 USD

per person sharing

$4480.00 USD

$5380.00 USD

per person sharing

$2290 USD

$3500 USD

per person sharing

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"I booked a safari with Discover Africa. Adelle did a great job of finding me lodges that suited my budget, also within driving distance to the River Mara, so I was lucky enough to see a migration river crossing. The trip went so smoothly from the moment I l..."

John, United States•24 Aug 2026•

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"Fantastic unforgettable memories from this Kenya Tanzania migration tour! Great for all accommodations, game drives and meals."

Alan, Italy•22 Aug 2026•

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Google review

"We booked our 10-day safari in Tanzania and Kenya through Discover Africa, and it exceeded every expectation. From our first conversation through the end of our journey, everything was exceptionally well organized, allowing us to focus entirely on enjoying ..."

Dwyane George, United States•04 Aug 2026•

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"Was just awesome, pre-service to service and after-service, just great. At the lodge, the staff had a special birthday party for my son who turned 16. The drives were awesome too...."

Priyum Koonjul, Canada•08 Jul 2026•

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"This is the second safari holiday we have used Dev to organise. We had the privilege of visiting three beautiful lodges on this trip, Devs recommendations in three different locations, Sabi Sands, Timbavati, and Makalali, which entailed a lot of organising ..."

Vivienne Lister, Australia•21 May 2026•

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Trustpilot review

"Matthys van Aswegen of Discover Africa went above and beyond to plan a two week trip for myself and my family (6 travelers) through multiple African countries that was unforgettable! There were many moving parts to our schedule, but every step was thorou..."

Ann Schall, United States•08 Mar 2026•

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