Change Location

Select your country below for local telephone numbers and guide prices

Book with confidence. Find out more

Essque Zalu Zanzibar

  • LUXURIOUS BEACHSIDE ACCOMMODATION ON THE NORTHERNMOST TIP OF ZANZIBAR
  • GRAND TOTAL OF 40 SUITES AND EIGHT RESIDENCES
  • LARGE RECEPTION LOUNGE, TWO RESTAURANTS, THREE BARS, BOUTIQUE, SPA, INFINITY POOL
  • GREAT RANGE OF WATERSPORTS, EXCURSIONS, CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
When To Visit Zanzibar:
left arrow image right arrow image
“A large but chic resort-style property located on the northernmost point of the island, offering good service and really comfortable accommodation.”

Overview:

The most luxurious hotel in the north of Zanzibar, Essque offers high-quality accommodation at a good price! There’s no direct beach access, but the closest beach is just a few minutes’ walk down the road.

Essque Zalu Zanzibar is privately owned and run. If you’re looking for a sumptuous sort of base from which to explore the island, this property comes highly recommended! In 2017, it was awarded a Readers’ Choice Award from Condé Nast. However, it isn’t suitable for travelers seeking a personal style of service, and it lacks the Zanzibari character of other properties that we use more often. Various rates are available, including B&B, half board, and full board. Please contact a member of YZ to discuss which is best for you.

Access & location:

The hotel is accessed via 1 hour’s road transfer from Zanzibar’s international airport. It’s situated on the northernmost tip of the island, in the beautiful village of Nungwi.

Accommodation & facilities at Essque Zalu Zanzibar:

Guest accommodation consists of 40 suites and eight residences. Within the suite category, there are four options – garden, superior garden, ocean, and seafront, referring to the views. Occupying characterful white-wash thatch-roof bungalows, all are exquisitely furnished and equipped with plenty of mod cons to ensure you have a comfortable stay. Each suite covers 85 square meters of floor space, and it can sleep up to three adults or two adults and two children. Features include air conditioning, mosquito nets, a satellite television, a personalized mini-bar, a tea-and-coffee station, a safety deposit box, and a private terrace of patio. The washing facilities comprise flush toilet, twin washbasins, and a walk-in shower. Toiletries are supplied, and guests have use of a hairdryer. Housekeeping staff visit twice daily. Every superior garden suite is found on the bungalows’ upper level. Ocean suites offer uninterrupted vistas over the Indian Ocean, and the seafront suite is Essque’s most popular type of accommodation due to its gorgeous sea views. There are also four options within the residences category – garden, ocean, seafront, and long-term! Each residence is made up of over 300 sq. m of floor space, to accommodate up to ten guests in three en-suite bedrooms. As well as all the features of the suites, residences boast super-spacious living areas, a fully equipped kitchen, a plunge pool, and the services of a private butler and chef. And access for disabled travelers is available on request – please contact a member of our team for further details.

Many of the communal areas at Essque are housed in the hotel’s immense thatch-roof main building, which has been compared with the Sydney Opera House! Inside this impressive structure, you’ll find a welcoming reception-and-lounge space, featuring lots of well-cushioned seating around coffee tables, some intriguing artifacts, and a few plants here and there. There are two restaurants – The Market Kitchen and The Jetty. The former is set up within the communal building, flowing out on to a courtyard. It’s the place to go for delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Both local and international dishes are served, and there’s a lively ambiance – and a well-stocked bar! The Jetty is positioned at the end of Essque’s long jetty. Here, guests tuck in to light lunches and lavish dinners, with an emphasis on seafood and fresh fish. There’s a little shisha lounge adjacent to the dining area, which is fantastic for sinking a few sundowners from the bar! In addition to the bars within its restaurants, the hotel has a pool bar. In between eating and drinking, you can visit the boutique to browse for souvenirs, pop to the spa for all sorts of relaxing and revitalizing treatments, and of course, take a refreshing dip in the lovely infinity pool. The pool has a whirlpool, and multi-colored lights too!

*For families with children under the age of 6 years, we always request a ground floor room or a room without a balcony for safety reasons. If you stay here with us, please ensure this is what you are given.*

**Please be aware that the child pool is close to the main pool with no barrier, so take care before you jump in!**

Activities at Essque Zalu Zanzibar:

Essque offers an exciting variety of activities, as follows:

  • Beach time

    - At low tide, guests have access to the beautiful beach that’s just a short stroll from the hotel. This is superb for sunbathing and swimming!
  • Watersports

    - The hotel offers an impressive assortment of watersports from its own center. These include PADI diving courses, diving excursions, waterskiing, and a number of non-motorized pursuits – snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboard, and pedalo.
  • Excursions

    -  Special trips available from the hotel range from deep-sea fishing and dolphin tours to bike rides around Nungwi village and explorations of a local spice farm! You can also enjoy forays into Zanzibar’s capital Stone Town. Wildlife lovers will appreciate trips to Jozani Forest, where you might see the striking red colobus monkey, and to Prison Island, which once housed slaves but is now home to giant tortoise.
  • Children's activities

    - Numerous things for kids to do are offered through Essque’s Tinga Club. The youngsters can have a lot of fun with swimming, relay races, interactive games, arts ‘n’ crafts, and even making ice cream!

Zanzibar

Unfortunately, there are no results for this search. Please use a different filter combination or contact our experts to start planning your tailor-made safari.

Why Trust Yellow Zebra with your African Safari?

"Yellow Zebra are genuine specialists; they know the African bush like the back of their hand."

Brian Jackman, safari expert for The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, Condé Nast, and the BBC

'Europe's Leading Safari Tour Operator' at the World Travel Awards

9 years in a row, since 2015

Receive news & offers from Yellow Zebra