Kiwengwa Beach
Kiwengwa is Zanzibar's east-coast resort strip and, after Nungwi, one of its most built-up beaches, a long east-facing stretch of large, mostly all-inclusive resorts, many with a long Italian-package history. It suits an everything-on-site holiday of pools, buffets and kids' clubs, on a wide beach that empties at low tide, so swimming waits for the higher tide. Best for families and package stays.
Where to stay in Kiwengwa Beach
Breeze Residence, Kiwengwa
- Mid
- Kitchen · WiFi · Parking
- ~$159/night
Breeze Residence is a self-catering apartment near Kiwengwa with a full kitchenette, WiFi and valet parking. It's fan-cooled rather than air-conditioned, and there's no front desk or restaurant, so you cook for yourself. Rooms run about US$159 a night.
Diamonds Mapenzi Beach
- 5★ Luxury
- All inclusive · Restaurant · Bar
- ~$363/night
Diamonds Mapenzi Beach is a five-star all-inclusive with two restaurants, a spa, live music and a happy hour, and it takes families. Full board runs about US$363 a night.
Kiwengwa Beach Resort
- 5★ Luxury
- All inclusive · Restaurant · Spa
- ~$462/night
A big five-star all-inclusive on the Kiwengwa strip, with four restaurants, a spa and evening entertainment laid on. It runs full board and takes families, so you rarely need to leave the gates.
Kiwengwastyle Villa
- Luxury
- Beachfront · Sea view · Kitchen
- ~$230/night
A whole beachfront villa on the Kiwengwa sand, with sea views, a full kitchen and air-con, set up for a family with a crib. It's self-catering with no front desk, though the host meets you on arrival.
Lions Villa 1, Kiwengwa
- Luxury
- Beachfront · Pool · Kitchen
- ~$456/night
A whole villa, the first of two Lions villas here, described as beachfront with a private pool, with a full kitchen and split air-con. It rents self-catering and sits at the top end, about US$456 a night. Check the beach and pool details before you commit.
Lions Villa 2, Kiwengwa
- Luxury
- Pool · Kitchen · WiFi
- ~$266/night
The second Lions villa comes with a private cook and, per the listing, a pool, plus a full kitchen and board games for slow afternoons. It rents self-catering, though the on-hand chef takes the work out of meals.
Where is Kiwengwa Beach?
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kiwengwa Beach?
Kiwengwa is on Zanzibar's northeast-facing east coast, a long stretch of sand between Matemwe to the north and Pongwe and Uroa to the south, about an hour by road from the airport and Stone Town. It is best known as the island's big-resort strip, with several large all-inclusive properties along the beach.
Can you swim at Kiwengwa at low tide?
Not easily. Kiwengwa is an east-coast reef beach, so at low tide the sea pulls out a long way and swimming off the sand is limited. Most guests swim at high tide or in resort pools, and use the wide, firm beach for walking when the water is out. Check a tide table, which your resort will have, to plan sea swims.
Is Kiwengwa good for families?
Yes, it is one of the better beaches for a book-it-and-forget-it family holiday. The large all-inclusive resorts here bundle meals, drinks, pools and kids' activities, which suits families who want everything on site. The beach itself is long and often quiet between resorts. If you want village life or nightlife beyond your resort, Kiwengwa is not that.
Is there seaweed at Kiwengwa?
Sometimes. Like the rest of the east coast, Kiwengwa sees drift seagrass wash up chiefly in the December to March monsoon, easing off through June to October. The larger resorts rake their own beachfront daily, so it tends to be less noticeable here than on the village beaches further south like Jambiani. It comes and goes with the tide and the season.
Which resorts are in Kiwengwa?
Kiwengwa is lined with large, mostly all-inclusive resorts, several of them Italian-oriented, reflecting the area's long history with Italian package tours. Property names change as resorts rebrand, so check current all-inclusive listings for Kiwengwa when you book. Expect big beachfront resorts with pools, buffets and organised activities.