Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
HOTEL $$$
( 0778-683960;
www.essquehotels.com
;
garden-/sea view d full board from US$678/
746, 3-room villas with full board from US$2832; ) This large place has a mix
of upmarket suites and spacious villas set around expansive grounds on a small cliff over-
looking the water (although there's not much beach). There's also a long dock jutting out
over the water, and an infinity pool. Very posh, and about as secluded as is possible in
crowded Nungwi.
INFORMATION
There's an internet cafe and forex bureau at Amaan Bungalows.
Because of the large number of tourists in Nungwi, it's easy to overlook the fact that you're
in a traditional, conservative environment. Be respectful, especially with your dress and
your interactions with locals, and ask permission before snapping photos. Also, watch your
valuables, and don't walk along the beach alone or with valuables, particularly at night.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Bus 116 runs daily between Nungwi and Zanzibar Town (Tsh2000) along a tarmac road. If
you're driving on your own, it's faster to take the route from Mahonda via Kinyasini (to the
east), rather than the somewhat deteriorated road via Donge and Mkokotoni.
KENDWA
About 3km southwest of Nungwi along the coast is Kendwa. It's a long, wonderfully wide
stretch of sand, although the once- quiet ambience is now gone, thanks to a seemingly non-
stop frenzy of hotel development and the incursion of Italian package tourism. That said,
there is more space than at Nungwi, and amenable tidal patterns mean that there is swim-
ming at all hours. Offshore are some reefs for snorkelling. For diving, there's
Scuba Do
( 0777-417157; www.scuba- do-zanzibar.com) at Sunset Bungalows, with a full range
of PADI courses. Party animals are well-catered for with full moon parties and an almost
non-stop party vibe.
SLEEPING
Les Toits du Palme
BUNGALOW $$
( 0777-851474; d US$60-80, d with air-con & hot water US$100) Three basic wooden
beach bungalows on the sand, and six more rooms up on a small cliff. Everything's no-
frills, but it's one of the few quieter backpackers' chill spots left at Kendwa.
