Zanzibar has more to offer than Stone Town alone. If you're staying there, you're already in the right place to start exploring. Some of the island’s most scenic beaches, historic villages, and nature spots are all just one drive away. With the right plan, your day can start in the heart of town and end on a quiet stretch of sand, at a spice farm, or beside a forest trail.
This is where renting a car in Zanzibar makes a real difference. You can leave when you're ready, take the slower coastal roads, and stop along the way. Our guide is for French travelers who want to get out of the city and discover what’s nearby. Whether you're here for just a few days or staying longer, these destinations are easy, scenic, and full of character. Let’s take a look at the best day trips you can take from Stone Town by car.
Stone Town sits on the central west coast of Zanzibar, making it easy to drive in any direction. You can reach the beaches of the north, forests in the south, or quiet villages on the east coast—all within a few hours. This location makes it perfect for short day trips that don’t feel rushed.
With a rental car, you can explore at your own pace. No need to follow strict tour times or wait for group buses. You can stop at roadside stalls, take detours, and enjoy local spots that most tourists miss. It also gives you more privacy and comfort, especially if you are traveling with friends or family.
Most car rental pick-up points are located in or near Stone Town. You can get your car directly from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport or from offices near the city center. These locations make it easy to start your road trip as soon as you arrive. Renting early is a smart idea, especially in high season.
In Zanzibar, people drive on the left side of the road, which may feel unfamiliar at first, but the roads are easy to manage with caution. French tourists need a valid French driving license, and while an international permit is not always required, many rental companies recommend or arrange it for a small fee. You must also get a temporary Zanzibar driving permit, which most car rental agencies handle for around $10 to $15.
The minimum age to rent a car is 21, and a passport may be required at pick-up. Cars are available at the airport and in central Stone Town, and booking your car rental online in advance is the best way to get the vehicle you want. Parking in Stone Town can be tricky due to narrow streets, but many hotels have private lots. In tourist areas like Paje or Kendwa, there are public parking spots near the beach. Always lock your car, avoid leaving valuables inside, and ask locals if you’re unsure where to park.
These scenic drives take you to some of the best places near Stone Town. These destinations offer nature spots, quiet beaches, and cultural landmarks.
The drive from Stone Town to Jozani Forest takes 1 hour via Kibele Road, covering about 42 kilometers. Jozani Forest is part of Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, the only national park in Zanzibar. It opens daily from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and entrance costs 12,000 Tanzanian Shillings (about USD 7.30), including a guided tour. The walk takes about 45 minutes and passes through shaded forest, open clearings, and mangrove swamps.
The park is famous for its red colobus monkeys, an endangered species found only in Zanzibar. These monkeys are active in the morning and often move in groups near the trail. The mangrove boardwalk offers a quiet space for photos, birdwatching, and observing the tidal ecosystem. There are clean restrooms at the entrance, but no shops or cafés. Bring your own water and snacks. As one of the most rewarding day trips from Stone Town, this forest offers French tourists a mix of unique wildlife, cool forest air, and a short, manageable hike just outside the city.
The drive from Stone Town to Paje takes about 1 hour and covers 50 kilometers. You’ll follow Kibele Road and connect to the Paje-Makunduchi Road. A compact car or SUV works well for this trip. Make sure to download offline maps, as road signs can be limited and mobile signal may drop in some spots.
Paje is located on the southeast coast. It is one of Zanzibar’s most scenic and active beach towns. The beach is wide, clean, and lined with palm trees. It’s famous for kite surfing, with strong steady winds from June to September and from December to February. You’ll find several kite schools and equipment rental shops on the beach. If you’re not into water sports, the calm waters are great for swimming, and the sand is perfect for long, quiet walks.
You can access public parking near the beach and beachfront restaurants. Most spots are within walking distance of food stalls, local cafés, and small stores. French visitors will enjoy Paje for its mix of laid-back beach life and easy comforts. It’s also a good base if you want to continue driving to Jambiani or Bwejuu, just a 12-minute drive away.
You can reach Mangapwani Caves from Stone Town in 50 minutes, covering 23 kilometers. The best route is through Bububu and Chuini, then branching west toward Mangapwani village. A compact car or SUV is suitable for this drive. The roads are paved but narrow near the coast, so keep a moderate speed.
The Mangapwani Coral Cave is a natural underground chamber formed in coralline rock, featuring a narrow entrance and a deep freshwater pool. Long ago, it was a vital water source for villagers, but was later forgotten and rediscovered by chance. Today, guided tours take you down the stone steps into the cave. The tour lasts about 2 hours and costs around $35 per person, which includes entrance fees, guiding services, and snorkeling equipment if requested. Guides speak multiple languages, including French, and pickup can be arranged from your hotel.
Nearby is the Mangapwani Slave Chamber, a man-made holding cell used in the 1800s for hiding slaves after the trade was officially banned in 1873. French travelers often visit both sites to understand Zanzibar’s complex past better while enjoying a quiet, scenic escape close to the coast.
The drive from Stone Town to Kizimkazi takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, covering 60 kilometers via Kibele Road. Kizimkazi is one of the best places for dolphin watching in Zanzibar, especially early in the morning. Tours depart as early as 7:00 AM, so plan to leave Stone Town before 6:00. The Menai Bay Conservation Area protects this coast, which improves your chance of seeing dolphins. You can join a 3-hour guided tour with hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, and boat transfers included. French-speaking guides are often available.
You can also book a full-day trip to Pungume Island and its sandbank, starting from nearby Fumba Beach. This experience includes a dhow cruise, a seafood BBQ lunch, and snorkeling over coral reefs. Dolphins are frequently spotted on this route as well. The tour lasts 6 to 7 hours, includes roundtrip hotel transfers, and has flexible booking with cancellation up to 24 hours before. Kizimkazi also has a historical site. The 12th-century Kizimkazi Mosque is one of the oldest Islamic buildings in East Africa. There's limited signage, but locals can guide you to the mosque. Parking is available near the boat docks and the village center.
The drive from Stone Town to Makunduchi takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, covering 64 kilometers along the southern coast. Makunduchi is a quiet, traditional village known for its strong Swahili roots and coastal views. The beaches here are rocky, so it’s not ideal for swimming. However, it is perfect for coastal walks and quiet reflection. What draws most travelers is the Mwaka Kogwa Festival, held around July 23 and 24. This unique New Year celebration has roots in Persian customs and has been practiced here for generations.
The festival includes banana stem fights, where men playfully duel in a symbolic release of past year’s tensions. Women sing and dance nearby in colorful Swahili garments, focusing on themes of peace, love, and fertility. The final ritual involves burning a coconut leaf hut, with the village healer reading the direction of the smoke to predict the year ahead. Even outside festival season, Makunduchi offers an authentic slice of island life. A few local eateries near the village center serve fresh seafood and Zanzibar-stle dishes.
A day trip to the spice plantations of Kidichi and Kizimbani is one of the most classic experiences in Zanzibar. The drive takes 30 minutes from Stone Town and covers 15 to 20 kilometers inland.
Kidichi and Kizimbani are home to Zanzibar’s most active spice farms. Guided tours walk you through fields of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, lemongrass, vanilla, and turmeric. You’ll see how spices grow and learn their uses in Swahili cooking and medicine. You will have a chance to taste or smell them fresh from the plant. Some tours include herbal tea tastings and fruit sampling as well. You’ll also visit the Kidichi Persian Baths, built in the 1850s by Sultan Said for his Persian wife. The building’s domed structure and carved details offer a glimpse into Zanzibar’s mixed architectural past. The tour usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.
The drive from Stone Town to Masingini Forest takes about 26 minutes and covers 12.1 kilometers via Karume Road. A compact rental car is all you need, and parking is available near the forest entrance.
Masingini covers over 566 hectares. It is located on the highest point in Zanzibar at 120 meters above sea level. The forest is known for its deep gullies, called “masingini,” which give the reserve its name. It supplies water to Zanzibar City and supports a rich ecosystem of native plants, rare birds, and small animals. Most visitors come for the 3-hour hike, which includes shaded trails, bird calls, and sightings of the endemic red colobus monkey. You might also spot bush babies, chameleons, or other reptiles if you're lucky.
Some operator offer tours that include private hiking guides, fruit snacks, and drinking water. The price is $50 per person with pickup from Stone Town. Hikes begin near the Old Fort, with a short transfer to the trailhead. Good walking shoes are a must. French tourists often appreciate this trip for its tranquility, educational value, and closeness to town, making it a perfect mid-week nature break.
Sometimes the best way to discover a place is to step just a little outside it. That’s what these day trips from Stone Town offer—routes that take you to the best places near Stone Town without a packed itinerary.
Final Rentals is a reliable car rental option in Zanzibar. Booking is easy with pick-up spots in Stone Town and at the airport. Whether looking for a small car for a beach trip or an SUV for longer drives, we have vehicles that fit your plans.
