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Voykit pocket guide · Tanzania
Kendwa
Spend 2–3 days in Kendwa for beach time, snorkeling and a Full Moon Party; longer only if you want many water‑sport sessions.
Kendwa is a small beach village on Zanzibar's north coast, best enjoyed with a couple of relaxed days. The main attractions are the white‑sand beach, easy walks to Nungwi, and organised water‑sport tours. Accommodation is limited, so book early in high season.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Best months
- Jun–Oct, Dec–Feb
- Avoid
- Apr–May (rainy), high‑tide periods (check local tide tables)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TZS
- Money
- Currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Tourism is still quoted in US dollars, but since 2025 the central bank requires local transactions to be priced and paid in shillings — check how your lodge bills; dollar notes older than 2013 or damaged are refused.
- Daily spend
- Budget TZS 30,000–45,000 excl. bed (check) · Mid TZS 45,000–70,000 excl. bed (check) · High TZS 70,000+ excl. bed (check) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom, Airtel, Yas (Tigo) and Halotel sell SIMs at airports; registration takes fingerprints and a passport.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types D, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin is most common; some older round-pin sockets.
- Tipping
- Safari guide: About US$15–25 per vehicle per day from the group — check.; Kilimanjaro crew: About 10–15% of the climb price, shared per a published scale — check your operator's guide.; Camp staff box: About US$10 per guest per day.; Restaurant: 5–10% where no service charge.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and lodges; long-drops at some gates and picnic sites; squat toilets at bus stops.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Daladala bus to Nungwi (stop at Kendwa junction) | TSh2,000 |
| Taxi from Stone Town to Kendwa | TSh70,000 |
| Shuttle from Stone Town | US$10 per person |
| Private boat from Nungwi | TSh20,000 |
| Meal at beach restaurant | US$5–12 |
| Snorkel trip to Coral Gardens (group) | TSh15,000 per person |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ZNZ · Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
- Main gateway to Zanzibar, about 55 km (34 mi) north of Kendya; taxi or shuttle ~1½ hMain gateway to Zanzibar, about 34 mi (55 km) north of Kendya; taxi or shuttle ~1½ h
Typical fares
- Daladala bus Stone Town → Kendwa junction
- TSh2,000 per person, then 1.5 km (0.9 mi) walkTSh2,000 per person, then 0.9 mi (1.5 km) walk
- Taxi Stone Town → Kendwa
- ≈TSh70,000 (≈US$40), 1½ h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk the 30‑minute beach path to Nungwi (low tide) or take a daladala bus (TSh2,000) to the Kendwa junction then walk 1.5 km (0.9 mi) west. Taxis from Stone Town cost ~TSh70,000 (≈US$40) for 1½ h. Shuttle services from Stone Town run 1½ h for US$10 per person. Private boat from Nungwi costs TSh20,000 (≈10 min).Walk the 30‑minute beach path to Nungwi (low tide) or take a daladala bus (TSh2,000) to the Kendwa junction then walk 0.9 mi (1.5 km) west. Taxis from Stone Town cost ~TSh70,000 (≈US$40) for 1½ h. Shuttle services from Stone Town run 1½ h for US$10 per person. Private boat from Nungwi costs TSh20,000 (≈10 min).
See and do
Known for
- White‑sand beach
- Snorkelling trips to Coral Gardens and Mnemba Island
- Full Moon Party at Kendwa Rocks
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nungwi | 30‑min walk along the beach at low tide or 10‑min boat ride | ≈30 min |
| Mnemba Island snorkel tour | Boat from Kendwa (organised tours) | Full‑day (≈8 h) |
Sleep
- Amaan Kendwa
- Bungalows with en‑suite bathroom, fan and air‑conditioning; good budget option.
- Kendwa Rocks
- Beach bandas US$30‑70; full Moon Party venue, but rooms can be damp after rain.
- Sunset Bungalows
- Self‑contained rooms, some with air‑conditioning; mid‑range price US$85 double.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | Gani bei?gani bei? |
| I would like to go to the beach | Nataka kwenda pwaninataka kwenda pwani |
| Where is the bus stop? | Kituo cha basi kiko wapi?kituo cha basi kiko wapi? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Shikamoo' to elders, a handshake and small talk first; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Hands: Right hand for eating, giving and receiving; avoid: Using the left hand
- Dress on Zanzibar: Cover shoulders and knees in town; avoid: Beachwear in Stone Town
- Photos: Ask first; pay agreed fees in Maasai bomas; avoid: Photographing women on Zanzibar without asking
- Affection: Keep it private; avoid: Kissing in public, especially on Zanzibar
- Pace: 'Pole pole' — slow down; avoid: Showing anger in public
Scams and watch-outs
- The back road was re‑graded in 2007 but deteriorates quickly; expect rough conditions.
- High tide makes the beach walk to Nungwi impassable; plan around low tide.
- Full Moon Parties attract loud crowds; families may prefer quieter nights.
Kendwa is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur in crowded beach bars, so keep valuables hidden and avoid walking alone after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kendwa yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- White‑sand beach
- Snorkelling trips to Coral Gardens and Mnemba Island
- Full Moon Party at Kendwa Rocks
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kendwa, revision 5337092 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5337092
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Kendwa
Tafadhali nenda hapa
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance112
US embassy in Dar es Salaam; consulate‑general in Zanzibar (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/kendwa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.