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Zuri Zanzibar Kendwa

Zanzibar Accommodation

Zuri Zanzibar Kendwa

My husband and I arrived in Zanzibar on a Thursday afternoon in January, having come from four days of gorilla trekking in Rwanda and three nights in the Serengeti. We were, in the nicest possible way, completely done with waking up before dawn. Zuri Zanzibar knew exactly what we needed, which was to do absolutely nothing complicated for five days in a place that was strikingly beautiful and genuinely well-run. It delivered on both counts without any visible effort.
Zuri means beautiful in Swahili, and the name is accurate. The hotel sits on Kendwa Beach on Zanzibar's north coast, a stretch of white sand that is consistently rated among the finest beaches on the island, with calm, swimmable water year-round thanks to its northwest-facing aspect. Africa Bed of Roses Safaris had described it as the ideal lifestyle honeymoon resort: not the barefoot simplicity of a private island, not the theatrical architecture of some of Zanzibar's more elaborate properties, but a beautifully designed, warmly run beach hotel that genuinely understands what honeymooners need.

The Resort and Its Setting

Zuri Zanzibar is located at Kendwa Beach on the north coast of Zanzibar, approximately one and a half hours by road from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport near Stone Town. The resort is set within a large tropical garden that slopes down to the beach, with 56 bungalows, suites, and villas arranged through the gardens at varying distances from the shore.

The design draws from the cultural mosaic of the Swahili Coast: European, African, Arabic, and Indian influences woven together in a visual language that feels particular to this island rather than generic resort. Contemporary furniture is paired with local artisanal pieces and artwork, and every room flows seamlessly onto generous terraces surrounded by tropical planting.

The resort carries an eco-conscious approach throughout: water management, environmental protection, community education programmes, and the long-term initiatives that support the Zanzibari community are all active commitments rather than marketing language. The solar-powered systems, locally sourced building materials, and staff development programmes reflect genuine values.

Accommodation

Fifty-six bungalows, suites, and villas cover a range of positions and configurations across the property. Standard bungalows are spacious and comfortable, with king-size beds, private terraces, air conditioning, and garden views. The exclusive suites go considerably further: double-sized terraces, private outdoor jacuzzis, separate living rooms and bedrooms, and the kind of considered detail in the finishes that makes a room feel special rather than simply functional.

For honeymooners, the suites with oceanfront jacuzzis are the obvious choice, and Africa Bed of Roses Safaris recommends booking these with a minimum three-night stay to qualify for Zuri’s dedicated honeymoon package. The package includes a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, a couple’s beach dinner with live music, sundowners served on the beach, and a 20 percent discount on a one-hour couple’s massage at the spa.

We were in a garden bungalow, which was beautiful in its own right, but on our second afternoon we sat on the terrace of a friend’s oceanfront suite and understood why the upgrade is worth it. The jacuzzi, positioned to face the sea at sunset, with the horizon turning orange and the sound of the Indian Ocean below, was a piece of engineering that deserved serious consideration.

Dining

Zuri has two restaurants that keep the dining experience varied across a longer stay. Upendo, the main restaurant, serves classic African cuisine and international dishes with a quality and freshness that consistently impressed us. Maischa is a more atmospheric space, specialising in Middle Eastern cooking and barbecue, and the combination of spice and ocean air made evening meals there feel genuinely special.

The resort also offers poolside dining, beach barbecue evenings, and the cooking class hosted by chef Richard, which was among the most enjoyable activities of our entire Zanzibar week. Richard narrates the preparation of Swahili coast dishes with an energy and warmth that makes the class genuinely fun rather than instructional, and the meal at the end of it, prepared with whatever vegetables and spices the spice garden has produced that morning, is better than most things you will eat at a restaurant.

Yoga on the beach in the mornings, access to the infinity pool, the spa, the gym, and free snorkelling from the beach complete what is a genuinely comprehensive resort offering.

Rates for Zuri Zanzibar Kendwa

Room TypeRate
Garden Bungalow (per room per night)From USD 380 per night
Ocean Suite with Jacuzzi (per room per night)From USD 680 per night
Oceanfront Villa (3 bedrooms)From USD 1,800 per night

Rates are on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner). All-inclusive supplement available. The honeymoon package requires a minimum three-night stay. Contact Africa Bed of Roses Safaris for current confirmed rates.

Activities and What to Do at Zuri Zanzibar Kendwa

Kendwa Beach is one of the few beaches on Zanzibar where the water is calm and swimmable at all tidal states, which makes it ideal for the kind of beach holiday where you want to be in the water without consulting a tide chart first. Snorkelling from the beach accesses the Coral Reefs Snorkel site, a nine-minute walk along the shore, with excellent marine life for the effort.

From Zuri, Africa Bed of Roses Safaris can arrange the full Zanzibar excursion programme: a spice farm tour with lunch in a local home, a Stone Town guided walk through the UNESCO-listed old town with its carved Omani doors and labyrinthine lanes, a sunset dhow cruise along the northwest coast, dolphin watching in Kizimkazi, and day trips to the Prison Island giant tortoise sanctuary.

Diving at the Mnemba Atoll, accessible from Kendwa in approximately thirty minutes by boat, is one of East Africa’s finest dive experiences and can be arranged through certified dive operators that the resort works with. For non-divers, the snorkelling at Mnemba is equally outstanding.

Why Zuri Is the Right Zanzibar Honeymoon Resort

Zuri’s combination of a genuinely beautiful beach, a well-designed and varied resort experience, a strong dining programme, and a honeymoon package that provides real value makes it an excellent choice for couples who want Zanzibar as a proper holiday rather than just a beach appendix to a safari. Africa Bed of Roses Safaris consistently recommends it for couples who want the full Zanzibar experience, including Stone Town, the spice farms, and the marine life, as well as pure beach time.

Frequently Asked Questions About

Zuri Zanzibar Kendwa

Yes. Kendwa’s northwest-facing aspect means the beach is one of the few on Zanzibar where swimming is possible at all states of the tide throughout the year, making it one of the most reliable beach choices on the island.

June through October and December through February offer the best weather for beach holidays, with warm, dry conditions and calm seas. The rainy seasons of March through May and October through November can produce spectacular weather but with more frequent showers.

Book Zuri Zanzibar with Africa Bed of Roses Safaris

Africa Bed of Roses Safaris can combine Zuri Zanzibar with a Tanzania safari circuit, a Rwanda gorilla trek, or a Kenya beach and bush combination. Contact us to design your complete honeymoon.

Facilities

Welcoming reception area

On-site Bar and Restaurant

24-hour security

Luxury Tented Suites

Swimming Pool

Safari Excursions on Request

Luxury Rooms with Private Bathrooms

Free Wi-Fi in the restaurant and bar areas

Family-Friendly Stay Experience

Romantic Zanzibar Safari Stays

Curated stays for comfort and privacy


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Partnerships & Accreditations

Africa Bed of Roses Safaris is an accredited tour operator under the Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) and a proud member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO). As part of the KATO bonding scheme, our services are insured to ensure your honeymoon holiday safari is protected, offering peace of mind even in the rare event of a member ceasing operations.

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Zuri Zanzibar Kendwa