Kizimkazi, in the very south of Zanzibar, is not a typical seaside resort with a long beach, a promenade and dozens of restaurants.

It is a sprawling area of fishing villages, small hotels and a few secluded resorts, about 53 km from Stone Town.

Most people come here for morning trips to see wild dolphins. For me, however, what I like most about Kizimkazi is the tranquillity, the sunsets and the atmosphere, which is significantly less touristy than in Nungwi or Paje.

Choose Kizimkazi if you’re looking for:

• a peaceful holiday far from the major resorts
• set off early in the morning to see dolphins without a long transfer
• a small local hotel or, conversely, a secluded resort
• watch sunsets over the ocean

View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar

Kizimkazi, Dimbani or Mkunguni?

The name Kizimkazi is used for two separate villages a few kilometres apart. So when booking a hotel or an excursion, always check the exact location.

• Kizimkazi Dimbani lies further north. Here you’ll find a historic mosque, Salaam Cave and several quiet hotels and resorts.
• Kizimkazi Mkunguni is situated on the southern coast. Near the main beach, there are more small accommodation options, restaurants and operators offering dolphin-watching cruises.

Dolphin-watching trips are available in both parts of Kizimkazi. Therefore, do not assume that the village name in the offer refers to the meeting point; before paying, check where the boat actually departs from and whether a transfer from your hotel is included in the price.

Dolphin-watching trips in Kizimkazi

Dolphins live in the waters off the southern coast all year round, but sightings are never guaranteed. A typical trip lasts 2 to 3 hours and, depending on conditions, may also include snorkelling.

It is best to set off early in the morning. The sea is usually calmer, it is cooler, and there are generally fewer boats gathered around a single pod of dolphins.

However, it is not true that dolphins automatically swim out to the open sea after sunrise.

How much does the trip cost and where can you book it?

You can book the trip directly on the beach, through your hotel or in advance online.

If booking on the spot, ask whether the price is per person or for the whole boat. Also confirm the duration of the trip, the hire of a mask and snorkel, a life jacket, drinks and any transfer arrangements.

Ask for the agreed price and currency to be written down in a message. The amount in US dollars and the equivalent amount in Tanzanian shillings differ significantly.

Individual online boat trips from Kizimkazi start at around 40 usd per person.

Full-day trips including hotel pick-up, a visit to Jozani National Park or other stops cost more. The advantages of booking online include reviews of the specific organiser, pre-agreed terms and conditions, and the option to cancel.

View boat trips and excursions from Kizimkazi

Is swimming with dolphins ethical?

In my opinion, this is the most important question of the whole visit. Research carried out off the southern coast of Zanzibar has shown that tourist boats alter the behaviour of dolphins, particularly their resting, foraging and social interactions.

The problem isn’t the tourists themselves out at sea, but the chasing of the animals by several motorboats and people repeatedly jumping into their path.

The most considerate approach is simply to observe the dolphins from the boat. If you wish to enter the water, I would choose an operator who:

• does not promise a 100 per cent guarantee of sightings or contact with the animals
• does not chase the dolphins or cross their path
• keeps the engine in neutral and maintains a safe distance
• does not join large groups of other boats
• prohibits touching or feeding the dolphins
• has life jackets on board and takes sea conditions into account

If the captain chases the animals or encourages you to jump right in front of them, I would refuse. Just because you’ve paid for the trip doesn’t mean you have to go swimming at any cost.

Salaam Cave and swimming with turtles

Salaam Cave is a flooded natural cave in the Kizimkazi Dimbani area. Sea turtles live in the enclosed pond, and visitors can swim with and feed them.

The cave itself is lovely, but I wouldn’t describe a visit there as wildlife watching in the wild.

The turtles do not have free access to the sea, and at peak times there are a lot of people moving about in a small space. I would therefore take the label ‘rescue centre’ with a pinch of salt, and personally I wouldn’t go out of my way to swim with the turtles.

If you do decide to visit, allow 30 to 60 minutes. Take some water shoes with you, as the steps and the area around the pond can be slippery. The site is not wheelchair accessible.

Swimming with the turtles costs 25 usd, whilst feeding the turtles and visiting the caves without swimming costs 12 usd

If you’d like to have a swim in a natural cave without turtles kept for interaction with tourists, I’d recommend heading to Kuza Cave near Jambiani instead.

Beaches and swimming

The beaches at Kizimakzi are spacious and sandy, but they are not particularly popular for swimming. This is because many boats belonging to tourist agencies are moored by the beaches, and it tends to be very busy there all day long.

However, the beaches at some of the hotel resorts, which are set apart from the main hustle and bustle, are good.

Historic mosque and baobabs

In Kizimkazi Dimbani stands one of the oldest surviving Islamic monuments on the East African coast.

The inscription in the mihrab dates back to 1107, although the current building has been modified over the centuries. It is therefore more accurate to refer to it as a very old place of worship that is still in use today, rather than simply as ‘the oldest standing mosque in East Africa’.

The mosque is not a typical tourist attraction. It is an active place of worship, so please ensure your shoulders and knees are covered, do not enter whilst prayers are taking place, and ask permission before taking photographs or entering.

There are also massive baobab trees growing in the vicinity of Kizimkazi. A local guide is best placed to show you the specific trees. Accounts of their exact age or their use during the Second World War vary, and I wouldn’t take them as verified historical facts.

Where to stay in Kizimkazi

Choose your accommodation primarily based on location, not just because it’s in Kizimkazi. The individual hotels are scattered along the coast, and it is not possible to walk comfortably between some of them.

• Mkunguni is more practical for morning boat trips, with several local restaurants and smaller hotels.
• Dimbani is ideal for peace and quiet and for visiting the old mosque or Salaam Cave.
• Secluded resorts west of the villages offer the best privacy and sunsets, but there are almost no facilities outside the hotel grounds.

Holidays with a travel agency

The range of package holidays is significantly smaller than in Nungwi, Kendwa or Kiwengwe, but Kizimkazi is no longer just a destination for independent travellers. A package holiday makes the most sense for a secluded all-inclusive resort, as it includes the flight, checked-in luggage, airport transfer, hotel and meals.

The following resorts feature most frequently in the offers:

• Fruit & Spice Wellness Resort ***** – a peaceful resort on the west coast for couples and travellers seeking wellness, privacy and the chance to spend most of their time at the hotel.
• Aldiana Club Zanzibar Kwanza ***** – a large, modern all-inclusive resort with swimming pools and extensive on-site facilities. I’d choose this for a classic beach holiday, rather than for exploring restaurants in the village every day.

Hotels for independent travellers

Booking independently is better for a stay of several nights, a tour around the island or accommodation in a smaller local hotel.

I’d recommend comparing these options:

• Good location for excursions: Aya Beach Resort – a small local resort by the beach in Mkunguni. Ideal for a morning dolphin-watching cruise and staying close to the village.
• Budget accommodation by the sea: Salida Beach Zanzibar – simple accommodation for travellers who are mainly looking for a low price and don’t need extensive hotel services.
• Peace and quiet and sunsets: Promised Land Lodge – relaxing accommodation with a swimming pool on a quiet stretch of coast. I’d choose this more for relaxation than for a typical day at the beach.
• Luxury and privacy: The Residence Zanzibar ***** – a sprawling, secluded resort with villas and its own on-site facilities. Without a taxi or hotel transfer, you’ll be practically confined to the resort grounds.

Compare prices and availability for all hotels in Kizimkazi. You’ll find details of differences between areas, approximate prices and practical advice in the section on accommodation in Zanzibar.

How to combine a visit to Kizimkazi with a tour of the south

You can visit Kizimkazi as a day trip from Paje or Jambiani. I’d put together a sensible itinerary as follows:

1. an early morning dolphin-watching cruise
2. a short visit to the historic mosque in Dimbani
3. swimming at Mtende Beach
4. a visit to Jozani National Park on the way back

I’d only include Salaam Cave if you don’t mind an up-close experience with turtles in an enclosed space.

An organised full-day trip is handy if you’re not staying in the south and don’t want the hassle of arranging taxis between the individual stops. Before booking, check that all entrance fees, the boat trip and collection from your hotel are included in the price.

Compare full-day tours of southern Zanzibar

How to get to Kizimkazi

Kizimkazi is situated about 50 to 55 km from both Zanzibar Airport and Stone Town. The journey by car takes between 1 and 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

Transfer as part of a package holiday

With a package holiday, the airport transfer is usually included in the price. The coach may stop at other hotels, so the journey can sometimes take longer than a taxi ride.

Taxi or hire car

If you’re travelling independently, the most convenient options are a taxi or a pre-booked hotel transfer. Taximeters aren’t used, so make sure you confirm the final price and currency before setting off.

Send the driver the name of your hotel and its location on a map. Simply saying ‘Kizimkazi’ isn’t enough, as Dimbani, Mkunguni and the more remote resorts are situated in different parts of the coast.

If you also wish to visit Mtende, Jozani and other places in the south, it may be worth hiring a car in Zanzibar.

Dala-dala bus

The following route runs to Kizimkazi:

• 326 – Kizimkazi – Kwerekwe in Zanzibar Town

Kwerekwe is not in the historic centre of Stone Town. To continue on to your hotel or the airport, you’ll need to change to another service or take a taxi.

Dala-dalas do not have a reliable timetable or fixed stops, and you pay the conductor in cash in Tanzanian shillings. If you have a large suitcase or are setting off early in the morning for an excursion, a taxi is a more practical option. You can find further details in the section on transport in Zanzibar.

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