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Riu Palace Zanzibar view
Luxury · Zanzibar

Riu Palace Zanzibar

An adults-only, all-inclusive resort with direct access to Nungwi Beach on Zanzibar’s north coast — sea-view pool, villas with private pools and easy days by the ocean after safari.

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Category
Luxury
Destination
Zanzibar
Type
Resort
Open
All year
Overview

About Riu Palace Zanzibar

Riu Palace Zanzibar is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort with direct access to Nungwi Beach, on the northern tip of Zanzibar. The beach here is white sand with clear turquoise water, and the north coast has much less tidal change than the east coast — so the sea is usually swimmable for most of the day. The sunsets over the Indian Ocean are among the island’s best.

After the early starts and long drives of a safari, the resort is designed for complete relaxation. Everything is included — meals, drinks and the resort’s facilities — so there is nothing to organise and no bill to worry about. Because it is adults only, the atmosphere is calm and grown-up, which makes it particularly popular with couples and honeymooners.

Rooms are spacious and modern, with air conditioning, a minibar, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi and a private balcony or terrace. For extra privacy, the resort also offers villas with their own private pools.

A sea-view pool with loungers faces the Indian Ocean, and dining is spread across a main buffet restaurant with show-cooking stations, two themed restaurants and several bars. Nungwi village, with its traditional dhow builders and lively beachfront, is close by.

The resort is also a convenient base for Zanzibar’s highlights: snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll, sunset dhow cruises, a spice farm tour and a day exploring the narrow streets of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Note that RIU also operates the newer Riu Palace Swahili at Nungwi; we confirm the exact property with you when we book.

Rooms & suites

Where you’ll sleep

01

Rooms

Sleeps
Adults only

Spacious, contemporary rooms with a private balcony or terrace, air conditioning and a minibar. A comfortable, cool retreat after a day on the beach or by the pool.

  • Air conditioning
  • Balcony or terrace
  • Minibar
  • Satellite TV
  • Free Wi-Fi
02

Villas with private pool

Sleeps
Adults only

Villas with their own private pool for extra privacy — popular with honeymooners and couples celebrating a special occasion at the end of their safari.

  • Private pool
  • Extra privacy
Facilities

Facilities & amenities

Sea-view pool

With loungers facing the Indian Ocean — perfect for sunset.

Beach access

Direct access to Nungwi’s white-sand beach, swimmable most of the day.

Three restaurants

A buffet with show-cooking and two themed restaurants.

Bars

Drinks included in the all-inclusive plan, throughout the day.

Free Wi-Fi

Included for all guests.

Adults only

A peaceful, grown-up atmosphere for couples.

Also at the property
  • Air-conditioned rooms
  • Minibars
  • Satellite TV
Dining at Riu Palace Zanzibar
Dining

Dining & cuisine

Breakfast is a buffet with show-cooking stations in the main restaurant, with plenty of fresh tropical fruit. In the evening, you can choose between the main restaurant and two themed restaurants, giving variety over a stay of several nights.

Drinks are served at the resort’s bars throughout the day, from the pool to sunset over the ocean — all included in the all-inclusive plan. If you have dietary requirements, tell us when you book and we will pass them to the resort in advance.

Meal plan
All inclusive
Dietary requests
Ask us — we pass dietary needs to the resort in advance
Experiences

Activities & experiences

At the property

Included or arranged by the lodge
  • Swimming & sunbathingNungwi’s swimmable beach and the sea-view pool.

Nearby excursions

Easy to add to your stay
  • Snorkelling at Mnemba AtollBoat trips to the coral reefs off the north-east coast, sometimes with dolphins.
  • Sunset dhow cruiseSail on a traditional dhow off Nungwi as the sun sets.
  • Stone Town & spice tourHistory, markets and spice farms in a day.
Location

Location & getting there

Nungwi is at the far northern tip of Zanzibar, around 1 to 1½ hours by road from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Scheduled flights connect Kilimanjaro, Arusha and the Serengeti airstrips with Zanzibar, so it is easy to fly straight from your safari to the beach.

We meet you at Zanzibar airport and arrange a private transfer to the resort, and back again for your flight home.

When to go

Best time to stay

Zanzibar is warm all year. The best beach weather is from June to October and from December to February, with sunny days and calm seas.

April and May bring the long rains, and November the short rains, though there is still plenty of sunshine between showers. Nungwi’s small tidal range makes it a good choice in any season, as the sea stays swimmable for most of the day.

Open: All year

Zanzibar · seasons by month
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
  • Dry season
  • Green season
  • Short rains
  • Long rains
Month-by-month guide to Zanzibar →
Why we love it

What makes Riu Palace Zanzibar special

  1. 01

    Adults only

    A calm, grown-up atmosphere for couples and honeymooners.

  2. 02

    All inclusive

    Meals and drinks taken care of — no bill to worry about.

  3. 03

    Swimmable beach

    Nungwi has little tidal change, so you can swim most of the day.

  4. 04

    Private-pool villas

    For honeymoons and special occasions.

Itineraries

Safaris featuring Riu Palace Zanzibar

Good to know

Essential stay information

Adults only
Children are not accepted
Meal plan
All inclusive
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi
Transfers
Private airport transfers arranged by us

Details are provided by the property and can change. We confirm everything in writing before you book.

Questions

Riu Palace Zanzibar FAQs

Have another question about this property? Our team in Moshi can help.

Is Riu Palace Zanzibar adults only?

Yes, it is an adults-only resort, so children are not accepted.

Is Riu Palace Zanzibar all inclusive?

Yes — meals and drinks are included in the all-inclusive plan.

Does the resort have rooms with private pools?

Yes, villas with private pools are available.

Can you swim in the sea at Nungwi?

Yes. The north coast has little tidal change, so swimming is possible for most of the day.

How far is it from the airport?

Around 1 to 1½ hours by road. We arrange private transfers.

Can it be combined with a safari?

Yes — a short flight connects the northern parks and Kilimanjaro with Zanzibar.

Start planning

Include Riu Palace Zanzibar in your safari

Tell us your dates and we will check availability and build a personalised Tanzania itinerary around your stay.

Speak to a safari expert

We reply within 24 hours. Your details are only used to plan your trip.