Kiwengwa is a long northeast beach lined with Zanzibar's biggest run of all-inclusive resorts, plus a growing set of villas and a few budget rooms; the sea walks out at low tide, so it suits families and resort holidaymakers over swimmers chasing deep water all day.
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.
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.
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.
Moja is billed as a private beachfront suite at Amani Home, the priciest short-let here at about US$543 a night. It leans on entertainment, with a home cinema, a games console and a big TV, and is set up for families with a crib and high chair.
A whole villa built around its own pool and garden, set back from the beach, with a full kitchen, air-con and a workspace for anyone logging on. It sleeps a family and rents self-catering.
The cheapest stay in Kiwengwa in this batch, Seashore is a budget private room at a small guesthouse with a shared pool, air-con and WiFi, a short walk from the sand.
Sea Moon is a whole house near Kiwengwa, air-conditioned with a full kitchen and set up for families, with kids' books, toys and board games. It rents self-catering and works as a family base rather than a beachfront spot, since the sea is a walk away.
Zanziblue Waves is a four-star beachfront resort at the quieter south end of Kiwengwa, with a spa, a gym and family rooms. It isn't all-inclusive, so meals and extras are booked as you go.
Marafiki Bungalows is a mid-priced set of beachfront bungalows on the Kiwengwa sand, family-friendly with a high chair on hand, a small spa and a restaurant.
This Surfescape unit is billed as beachfront with breakfast included, unusual for a self-catering rental, along with ocean views, a window air-con unit and a kitchen. Confirm the breakfast and the beach position when you book.
Tembo Kiwengwa is a five-star hotel that stays mid-priced, with a spa, a gym, balconies and family rooms.
A two-bedroom apartment at Surfescape with ocean views, portable air-con, a kitchen and a workspace, plus a small playground for kids. It's self-catering and works for a family or a group.
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.
Part of TUI's Blue brand, this five-star all-inclusive sits right on the beach at Kiwengwa, with five restaurants, a spa and room service. Full board runs about US$473 a 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.
Melia Zanzibar is the priciest resort here, a five-star from the Spanish group with seven restaurants and a spa. It runs all-inclusive and takes families, a large polished operation rather than a boutique hideaway.
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.
Sultan Sands is a five-star all-inclusive with a watersports bent, diving, snorkelling, canoeing and windsurfing, alongside a spa and family rooms. It sits in the resort cluster on the Kiwengwa coast.
