When you travel to Zanzibar, it is easy to stay around popular beaches and tourist areas. But if you truly want to experience the island, you need to go a little deeper. From farming and fishing to crafts and local food, each village offers a unique and authentic experience that adds real value to your trip. To explore these villages, renting a car can be a practical choice. This guide will take you beyond the usual routes and help you discover small villages in Zanzibar where life moves slowly.
Zanzibar’s local culture is rich with African, Arab, Indian, and European influences. Much of this cultural heritage thrives in the island’s rural villages, away from resort enclaves. In fact, a large portion of Zanzibaris live in small towns and fishing hamlets, preserving centuries-old traditions in daily life. When you wander through a village, you hear children laughing in Swahili, smell spicy aromas from outdoor cooking fires, and see artisans practicing handcrafted skills passed down through generations.
Early in the morning, fishermen push wooden dhows (sailboats) out to sea, continuing a practice that has changed little over time. Women in vibrant kanga garments might be seen tending gardens or weaving baskets in the shade. There’s often a central marketplace where locals trade fresh produce and spices, and a tea shop where elders gather to chat. Locals usually enjoy sharing their culture with polite and curious guests. Remember to be respectful. Dress modestly in villages and always ask permission before photographing people. By immersing yourself in these settings, you can deeply appreciate Zanzibar’s Swahili culture.
Exploring Zanzibar’s villages is easiest when you have your own wheels. Public transport on the island consists mainly of minibuses (dala-dalas) that may not reach remote areas. While it’s an adventure to ride with locals, dala-dalas are slow and follow fixed routes. With a car, you can drive directly into small villages or along scenic coastal roads.
When renting a car, consider a few practical tips. In Zanzibar, driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Roads vary from smooth tarmac near town to bumpy dirt lanes in rural areas. A sturdy vehicle (even a 4x4) can be helpful if you plan to venture into very remote corners. Despite some potholes and adventurous intersections, self-driving is generally safe if you go slow and stay alert. The major benefit is that a rental car lets you reach those less accessible spots.
Zanzibar is dotted with numerous villages where you can witness daily routines, such as fishing, farming, and boat-building, firsthand. Many are along the coast with gorgeous beaches, while others hide cultural gems like historic sites or festivals. Below are some of the best villages to visit in Zanzibar for an authentic glimpse of its traditional life.
Nungwi is a vibrant village at Zanzibar’s far northern tip, historically known for fishing and its famed dhow-building tradition. Strolling along Nungwi’s white sandy beaches, you might see slender wooden dhow boats bobbing on the clear water or pulled up on the sand for repairs. Local artisans here have crafted these traditional sailing vessels for generations. If you walk to the boatyard on the beach, you can watch skilled carpenters bending wood and hammering planks to create seaworthy dhows using age-old techniques.
As the afternoon light turns golden, Nungwi’s shoreline comes alive with fishermen bringing in the day’s catch. It’s common to see a small fish market right on the beach. Beyond its seafaring life, Nungwi has some of the island’s most pristine beaches, with soft sand and turquoise water perfect for swimming.
During the day, you can snorkel just offshore amid colourful coral reefs teeming with marine life. In the evening, Nungwi’s coastal community is the place where villagers and visitors gather to watch a spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean. The mood is joyful as children play soccer on the sand and the silhouettes of dhows sail across the horizon.
Matemwe is a tranquil fishing village on the northeastern coast, known for its long stretch of uncrowded beach and views of the coral-fringed Mnemba Atoll. Unlike Zanzibar’s busier resorts, Matemwe is largely untouched by mass tourism. Here, the pace is slow, and the environment is peaceful. Fishermen paddle out in the early morning on traditional dhows, and you can watch them return with their catch. The beach at Matemwe is often dotted with shellfish collectors and seaweed gatherers at low tide.
Matemwe is an ideal spot if you want to unwind and experience simple coastal living. Take a walk through the village’s sandy pathways, and you may pass modest homes made of coral stone. The calm lagoon and nearby reef make Matemwe popular with snorkellers and divers. After a morning snorkel, you can indulge in fresh seafood cooked the local way – think grilled fish or octopus curry prepared with fragrant spices.
Jambiani is a picturesque village on the southeastern coast, where traditional life in Zanzibar and beach adventures blend. The main road in Jambiani is a simple, sandy lane lined with leaning coconut palms. Jambiani is primarily a fishing community. At dawn, local fishermen launch their boats into the shallow lagoon, and later you’ll see them mending nets or spreading out the catch of fish to dry in the sun.
One of Jambiani’s unique aspects is its seaweed farming, a key part of the local economy and culture. At low tide, you can spot local women tending seaweed farms just offshore. This seaweed is later harvested and often sold for export or used in cosmetics, and the practice has been a livelihood here for decades. Aside from cultural experiences, Jambiani also boasts a beach that stretches for miles, with powdery sand and a reef that creates a calm, shallow swimming area. During the day, you can snorkel or even try kite surfing.
Paje is another lively village on the southeastern coast, just north of Jambiani. It is famous for its world-class kite surfing. Don’t be surprised to see dozens of colourful kites in the sky as you approach. Paje’s expansive lagoon and reliable winds make it a haven for water sports. Yet beyond the adrenaline of kite surfing, Paje is at heart a small Zanzibari village with a welcoming local community. If you take a break from the beach, stroll into the village itself. You’ll find a local market selling fruits, spices, and freshly caught fish, as well as modest eateries where you can sip a glass of fresh coconut water in the shade.
In the afternoon, you can join a local cooking class to learn how to prepare dishes like urojo (Zanzibar soup) or coconut curries. Some community groups offer this, allowing you to interact with Zanzibari home cooks. As the sun sets, Paje’s beachfront comes alive with a mellow nightlife. Beach bars light up lanterns and play Taarab music or reggae, and sometimes spontaneous drumming and dance gatherings happen under the stars.
Bwejuu is a small village situated between Paje and Michamvi on the east coast. The village is quiet and modest, with sandy pathways weaving through coconut groves and thatched-roof homes. Locals in Bwejuu go about their day tending to fishing nets, repairing wooden dhows, or weaving mats from palm leaves.
The beach at Bwejuuu has powdery white sands that stretch for kilometers. At low tide, a wide expanse of tidal pools emerges, reflecting the sky. Tall coconut palms line the shore, offering patches of shade where you can sit and gaze at the endless turquoise of the Indian Ocean. The waters are shallow and calm, ideal for wading or a leisurely swim. Bwejuu has a few boutique resorts, but these are low-key and spaced out.
Makunduchi is a culturally rich village located near Zanzibar’s southeastern tip. It is best known for its annual Mwaka Kogwa festival, one of the island’s most fascinating traditional celebrations. If you visit in late July, Mwaka Kogwa is a four-day festival rooted in Persian Shirazi heritage, marking the local New Year.
During this time, men engage in friendly mock fights with banana stems as a symbolic way to clear out past misfortunes, while women dress in their brightest kangas and sing traditional songs to support the playful battles. The festival atmosphere is filled with music, drumming, and laughter; a ceremonial hut is burned to usher in good fortune, and each evening the community gathers for feasting and Taarab music dance parties.
Outside of the festival season, Makunduchi is a quiet village that offers insight into everyday life in rural Zanzibar. The village is divided into two primary settlements, Upper and Lower Makunduchi. These feature houses built in the old coral rag stle. Makunduchi’s surroundings are scenic. There are rocky shores and hidden coves nearby, and fields where farmers grow cassava and corn.
Kizimkazi is a picturesque fishing village located at the far southern tip of Zanzibar. It is renowned for dolphin tours and a deep sense of history. Many travellers come to Kizimkazi to take a boat trip into the warm waters of Menai Bay, hoping to spot and even snorkel alongside playful wild dolphins.
Mornings are the best time for a dolphin encounter. Local captains will take you out in a simple motorboat, and with a bit of luck, you might find yourself gliding through clear blue sea with a pod of bottlenose or humpback dolphins surfacing nearby. It’s an ocean adventure that combines well with Kizimkazi’s historic mosque. In Kizimkazi, Dimbani stands a small ancient mosque that dates back to the 12th century. It is one of the oldest Islamic buildings in East Africa. The mosque’s coral stone walls and Kufic script inscriptions are a reminder of Zanzibar’s long Islamic heritage.
Uroa is a traditional fishing village on Zanzibar’s east coast. At dawn, the village comes to life when fishermen push their boats into the sea. If you wake up early here, you can watch these fishermen return by mid-morning with their boats full of fish, squid, or octopus. They often land right on Uroa’s beach to unload the catch. A small fish auction naturally forms as villagers gather. You can even join in by buying something fresh for a beachside barbecue.
Uroa’s beach is long and tranquil, protected by a distant reef that keeps the waves mild. During most of the day, you might see women from the village walking along the shore collecting clams and sea snails, or maybe spreading seaweed to dry. There are a few guesthouses around, but overall, Uroa is quiet and low-key. A stroll through the village streets will take you past coral stone houses and the local school or mosque, where you can hear the faint sound of lessons or prayer.
Exploring Zanzibar’s small villages lets you see the island as it truly is. You experience daily life, rich culture, and warm local hospitality away from busy tourist areas. From fishing communities to quiet coastal towns, these villages to visit in Zanzibar offer slow moments, real stories, and memories that stay with you long after the trip ends.
To explore freely, rent a car in Zanzibar with Final Rentals. Pick up your vehicle at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, choose from reliable cars or SUVs, and enjoy affordable rates with no hidden fees. For extra convenience, you can also download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
