Longer Kendwa Itineraries by Coast

Planning alert, October 2026: Tanzania holds a Level 3, Reconsider Travel, rating from the US government nationwide; confirm at travel.state.gov . The UK says travel to Zanzibar is not advised against but warns that further protests are possible after the 2025 vote, that previous Zanzibar elections turned violent and that internet access can be cut. A US embassy alert from December 2025 mentioned curfews and cancelled ferries and flights, so favour flexible fares. See the UK advice .

Longer Kendwa Itineraries by Coast

A stay at Kendwa suits the end of a trip better than the start. Below are three ways to build a multi-stop holiday, with what to book first.

Checklist before booking flights

  1. Buy Zanzibar’s government insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. It costs US$44 per adult, covers up to 92 days and has been compulsory since 1 October 2024, and a private policy cannot replace it. The portal is visitzanzibar.go.tz .
  2. Ask ZIC and NIC what you need if the trip also visits mainland Tanzania, since the mainland brought in its own NIC policy on 1 October 2026.
  3. Check the season. December to March is hot and calm. April and May bring the long rains, and some resorts and dive centres close for maintenance. June to October is drier and cooler, and November has short rains.
  4. Carry recent, undamaged notes, as shillings are the local currency and dollars are widely accepted.

Itinerary A: safari, then Kendwa

Start in northern Tanzania with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. Fly Arusha to Zanzibar to finish, then use the beach to recover. Allow a spare day on either side of the flight, because delays are common in any journey that links parks and islands.

Itinerary B: Stone Town, then Kendwa

Spend two nights in Stone Town, then travel about 60 km to the north-west coast, which takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by car. Use the nights at Kendwa and Nungwi for beach time, diving and a Mnemba boat trip. Search stays near Kendwa

Itinerary C: swim at Kendwa, kite on the east coast

Kendwa works for bay swimming and sunsets, but its wind is too erratic for lessons. Paje and Jambiani on the east coast have the kitesurfing schools, and Nungwi Kite Beach has one. Divide the stay between coasts and allow a half day to cross.

What to expect on the ground

  • Taxis from Stone Town start around TSh 70,000, or US$40 and upward.
  • Driving needs a Zanzibar temporary licence besides your own, and keeping left.
  • Cover knees and shoulders in towns. Clothing the authorities judge improper can mean a fine of at least US$700.
  • Same-sex relations are illegal in Zanzibar.

Adding a Kendwa day to any route

A free day at Kendwa can hold a dive with a PADI centre, a Mnemba boat trip or a full moon party night if one falls on your dates. The 2026 dates listed are 21 November, 25 December and 31 December.

Read more: Day trips from Kendwa and the Zanzibar guide .