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The Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort, Zanzibar; Home of Zanzibar Full Moon Party

Source: AntonOlivier on Pixabay

I was in Zanzibar with my Mudita Adventures Social Foundation, after we finished building a small school in Arusha. The trip had just finished, but we had timed it nicely so there was a full-moon party in Zanzibar the day after the trip ended. We deserved a celebration after a month of hard work. We had been staying in the North of Zanzibar, at Nungwi, which was nice but a little quiet. Just 20 minutes south of Nungwi though is an area called Kendwa. Untouched stretches of beaches, and a lot better options for accommodation. Oh, and that’s where the full-moon party is held! So I decided to move there for the next 3 nights. 

KENDWA BEACH

Kendwa is a small village on the west coast of the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar – a beautiful piece of land in the Indian Ocean that plays host to some of the most beautiful beaches. Stretches of long white sands slide into turquoise seas, lined by both rocky outcrops fringed with bright pink bougainvillea flowers. Kendwa is a beautiful coastal area with a number of resorts – in fact, some might say that Kendwa itself IS a resort. One of such resorts in Kendwa is the popular Kendwa Rocks, an iconic beach bar and resort that offers its guests an amazing time right on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Here’s my personal experience at this beach resort. 

Initally I was staying with my buddy Josh for the first 2 nights, for his birthday and for the Full Moon Party. We stayed in a twin room at the back of the property, it was their cheapest twin available ($90) and it was still really nice, and only a 6-minute walk to the private Kendwa Rocks private beach.

Kendwa Rocks Resort is the actual host of the Full Moon Party. If you’re staying there, you don’t have to pay for entry to the party (normally around $10 per person), not only that but if you’re staying there during the party, it means it’s a very short walk back to your room when the sun comes up! But as soon as Josh left, and I was alone, I upgraded to a pool bungalow closer to the beach, and it was unreal.

Rooms

Kendwa Rocks has a whole variety of gorgeous, impressive rooms to suit almost any taste and budget. Whatever you want, Kendwa Rocks has it. If you’re a young traveller with friends, dormitories are the ideal way to stay at this particular resort, but if you want privacy and something a bit special, the forest rooms, wooden bungalows or the more upscale rooms are perfect for that romantic getaway. Each type of room is decorated with an African flavour and comes complete with mosquito nets and its own bathroom. Most room rates include breakfast and can even include discounted meals such as dinners, making this a great option for those who want no surprises and a good idea of what they’re spending during their time in the area. 

The photos honestly don’t do these rooms justice – in person they’re even more stunning, with decor that fits the African vibe and feel of the resort in its entirety. Kendwa Rocks prides itself on staying true to African flair when it comes to patterns and styles used in the rooms, and their pride of African heritage and tradition shows in how lovingly and beautifully each room is decorated.

Amenities

Aside from having all the typical amenities of a good hotel including knowledgeable, 24 hour front desk staff, room keeping, laundry, luggage storage and iron services, Kendwa Rocks also has its own private beach area complete with beach bar and full moon party spot. Kendwa Rocks is an ideal mix between party central and low key, chilled out gatherings, perfect for all types of traveller who want to have a bit of a night out. The Kendwa Rocks beach bar is well stocked and has all manner of drinks, all paid for through a card system that you load up in advance and use to pay for drinks throughout your stay, so it’s essentially cash free. All the usual drinks are available along with a whole variety of local and international beers. There’s also a pool on site for those who don’t want to struggle against the surf of the Indian Ocean and want a relaxing, easy swim or just the ability to sit in the water to cool off without getting sandy.

Location

Kendwa Rocks is located on the east coast of Zanzibar, toward the northern part of the town itself. Stretches of sandy beaches line the coast, with many great options for walking and hiking nearby. It’s about an hour ($25 taxi) north from StoneTown, where both the ferry and airport are located. 

Why I Recommend Staying At Kendwa Rocks

Kendwa Rocks has a bit of something for everyone, and regardless of what you’re looking for or what you like to do, it’s entirely likely you will find it in Kendwa – especially at Kendwa Rocks. Not only do you have the feeling of being in a gated community, but you can stroll along long stretches of white sands and find yourself in amongst locals who are curious and want to chat. Overall, Kendwa Rocks gives you the best of both worlds, and as a result is one of the best places to stay in Zanzibar.