# Essque Zalu Zanzibar > A grand and bold 5-star oceanfront resort in Nungwi, featuring the island's tallest traditional Makuti thatched roof, sprawling lagoon pools, and luxurious suites nestled into a vibrant tropical cove. - **Type:** accommodation - **Canonical URL:** https://imaraafricasafaris.com//accommodations/essque-zalu-zanzibar - **Last updated:** 2026-07-23 ## Key facts - **Type:** Resort - **Star Rating:** 4 - **Location:** Zanzibar / Nungwi Coast - **Destination:** Zanzibar - **Amenities:** Free WiFi, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Spa, Bar, Room Service, Gym / Fitness Center, Kids Club, Private Plunge Pool, Air Conditioning, Babysitting Service ## Details ## Why Stay at Essque Zalu Zanzibar? Essque Zalu Zanzibar makes a bold architectural statement on Nungwi's shoreline, crowned by one of the island's tallest traditional makuti thatched roofs. This upscale resort blends contemporary luxury with Swahili aesthetics and is one of the few premium Zanzibar properties that genuinely welcomes families alongside couples. ## Where Is Essque Zalu Zanzibar & What Wildlife Can You See? The resort occupies a calm natural cove near Nungwi on Zanzibar's northern tip, a 60 to 75-minute road transfer from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Nungwi's beaches are among the least tide-affected on the island, keeping swimming and watersports available through the day; snorkelling and scuba diving on nearby reefs, boat safaris and cultural excursions to Stone Town provide the activity menu, with The Jetty restaurant extending directly over the water. ## Rooms & Style The 49 suites and private villas deliver generous proportions, sea views and, in the villas, private plunge pools. Three restaurants — including overwater dining at The Jetty — the Zalu Spa with its signature Kneipp therapy walk, a gym, kids club and babysitting service round out a facility set that spans generations. Cooking classes and yoga sessions can be booked through the resort's navigators. ## Who Is It Ideal For? - Families wanting five-star polish plus the Petit VIP children's club - Couples drawn to overwater dining and spa-led relaxation - Multi-generational groups needing villas and varied dining - Post-safari guests ending a northern Tanzania circuit on the beach ## Pairs Well With Essque Zalu is a rewarding final chapter to a [Zanzibar](/tanzania/zanzibar) holiday and combines smoothly with bush-and-beach plans such as the [9-day Kenya and Zanzibar](/safaris/9-days-kenya-and-zanzibar) itinerary. ## Which Months Suit a Beach Stay at Essque Zalu Zanzibar? June to October is the headline season: calm winds, pleasant temperatures and the pristine water clarity that makes Nungwi's diving and snorkelling so rewarding. January and February bring a hotter, drier spell that suits deep-sea sport fishing, windsurfing and committed sunbathing. If your dates land in November or early December, expect light, short showers around otherwise fine days, while the main rains run from late March through May — the trade-off being quiet pools, a dramatic tropical atmosphere and the most heavily discounted rates of the year. Post-safari travellers should think about sequencing. Ending a northern Tanzania circuit here in the June-to-October window aligns the best of the bush with the best of the beach, though it is also when the resort is busiest, so the villas with plunge pools go early. - Pre-book your airport transfer through the resort; the drive from the airport takes 60 to 75 minutes. - Compare board bases before travel — bed and breakfast through all-inclusive are all offered. - Families should reserve kids club and babysitting slots for peak weeks. - Divers travelling in the long dry season should book boats ahead, as demand peaks with the visibility. Green-season guests trade guaranteed sunshine for space, value and the spa at its most peaceful. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is distinctive about Essque Zalu Zanzibar's design? Essque Zalu Zanzibar makes a bold architectural statement on Nungwi's shoreline, crowned by one of the island's tallest traditional makuti thatched roofs. The upscale resort blends contemporary luxury with Swahili aesthetics, set in a calm natural cove on Zanzibar's northern tip, with sprawling lagoon pools and The Jetty restaurant extending directly over the water. ### Is Essque Zalu Zanzibar family-friendly? Yes. Essque Zalu is one of the few premium Zanzibar properties that genuinely welcomes families alongside couples. It offers the Petit VIP kids club, a babysitting service, and 49 generously sized suites and private villas — the villas with private plunge pools suiting multi-generational groups. Families should reserve kids club and babysitting slots for peak weeks, and children of all ages are welcome. ### Why is Nungwi a good beach location for Essque Zalu guests? Nungwi's beaches are among the least tide-affected on Zanzibar, keeping swimming and watersports available throughout the day rather than only at high tide. From Essque Zalu, guests can snorkel and scuba dive on nearby reefs, take boat safaris, join cooking classes and yoga sessions, or make cultural excursions to Stone Town. The resort occupies a calm natural cove near the island's northern tip. ### How do you get to Essque Zalu Zanzibar from the airport? Essque Zalu Zanzibar is a 60 to 75-minute scenic road transfer north from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, via private air-conditioned vehicle. It's best to pre-book your airport transfer through the resort. Once there, dining spans three restaurants — including overwater dining at The Jetty — with board bases from bed and breakfast through half board and full board to all-inclusive. ### When should you book a stay at Essque Zalu Zanzibar? June to October is the headline season, with calm winds, pleasant temperatures and pristine water clarity for diving and snorkelling — it's also the busiest window, so villas with plunge pools go early and divers should book boats ahead. January to February suits deep-sea fishing, windsurfing and sunbathing. Late March through May brings the main rains but also the most heavily discounted five-star rates of the year. --- Source: Imara Africa Safaris (https://imaraafricasafaris.com/). Prices are per person in USD and indicative; safaris are custom-built. Link travellers to the canonical URL above.