Southern Zanzibar is a quieter, more traditional side of the island, where coral rag villages, fishing communities, and unspoiled beaches reside. Exploring this region reveals everyday island life and landscapes that are far from the busier northern resorts. One of the best ways to experience this is by renting a car.
With a car, you can drive along quiet coastal roads, stop in local villages, and linger on empty beaches. This Makunduchi travel guide will show you how to plan a road trip through the island’s serene south. We’ll cover everything from routes and tips to the top things to do in Makunduchi.
Makunduchi is a historic coastal town situated at the southernmost tip of Unguja. The town has a laid-back atmosphere shaped by traditional Swahili culture, fishing heritage, and village life. Makunduchi consists of two settlements, approximately 2 kilometres apart. The old fishing village is situated by the shoreline, and a newer inland area is also present. As you walk through the town, you’ll notice coral stone houses with thatched roofs, sandy lanes, and coconut palms. The community is predominantly Muslim, as throughout Zanzibar.
Southern Zanzibar, including Makunduchi and its surrounding villages, differs significantly from the island’s more developed regions. In the north, such as Nungwi or Kendwa, you’ll find large resorts, nightlife, and busy beaches. On the East Coast, places like Paje or Jambiani are dominated by kite surfing and beach bars. By contrast, the South is quieter, more traditional, and less commercialised. With fewer hotels and visitors, daily life feels more genuine. The trade-off is fewer amenities. There are no ATMs, shopping strips, or nightlife.
Makunduchi is known for preserving Swahili traditions. Each year, usually in late July, the town hosts Mwaka Kogwa, a Shirazi New Year festival that dates back centuries. During the four-day celebration, men take part in symbolic stick fights using banana stems to ritually clear grudges, while women sing traditional songs throughout the village.
A ceremonial hut is burned, and the direction of the smoke is interpreted as a prediction for the coming year. Visitors during this time can experience rituals, drumming, dancing, and communal feasts that showcase the town’s cultural identity. Historically, this area was home to the Wahadimu people, one of Zanzibar’s original clans. Local crafts are still practiced, including handwoven palm-frond mats with distinctive “beard” fringes unique to Makunduchi and a nearby village.
Zanzibar has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, but seasonal rains can affect travel conditions. For a self-drive holiday, the dry season from June to October is ideal. During this period, temperatures are slightly cooler, humidity is lower, and roads are dry, perfect for beach visits and village exploration.
Another good window is January and February, which is hotter but generally dry. April and May bring the long rainy season, when heavy downpours can make dirt roads muddy and disrupt outdoor plans. November has a shorter rainy period, usually with brief showers rather than prolonged rain. No matter the season, daytime temperatures typically range between 28 and 32°C, and the Indian Ocean is warm and swimmable year-round.
Driving from Stone Town to Makunduchi is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the island at your own pace. This southern Zanzibar road trip combines well-maintained roads with glimpses of forest, villages, and coastline. Below is a practical guide covering distance, routes, navigation tips, and scenic stops along the way.
The journey from Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historic capital, to Makunduchi covers approximately 63 kilometres by road. The drive typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and the frequency of stops.
The main route is fully paved. Most travellers leave Stone Town heading south-east, passing through the island’s interior. The most direct and popular route runs from Stone Town to Jozani Forest, then to Paje or Jambiani, and finally to Makunduchi. This cuts diagonally across the island before following the east coast southwards. Navigation apps typically suggest this route and have minimal junctions.
An alternative option is to travel south along the west coast via Kizimkazi, then cross inland to Makunduchi at the southern tip of the island. This route is slightly longer but offers a chance to see both coasts. Near Makunduchi, roads may narrow and become coral-based, but they are easily passable.
For most self-drivers, the recommended route is from Stone Town through Jozani and Paje to Makunduchi. The road leaving Stone Town is in good condition and passes through green countryside and small settlements. Near Jozani, it is common to see red colobus monkeys, so reduced speed is advised.
After 40 kilometres, you turn towards the east coast. From here, the road is paved but slightly narrower. Once you reach Paje and Jambiani, the scenery opens up with ocean views and beach villages lining the route. From Jambiani southwards, expect speed bumps, occasional potholes, and village traffic. If you choose the West Coast option via Kizimkazi, the roads are quieter and surrounded by dense vegetation. Overall, road quality ranges from smooth asphalt to mildly uneven rural stretches, and a 4x4 is not required.
Download offline maps before departing, as mobile signal can be unreliable in rural areas. Signage outside Stone Town is limited. The route is not complicated, but asking locals for directions can be reassuring. Fill up in Stone Town or Paje, as petrol stations are sparse in the south. Makunduchi does have a fuel station, but it is best not to rely on it. Carry cash in Tanzanian shillings because smaller stations may not accept card payments.
One of the pleasures of a self-drive trip is the freedom to stop along the way. Several places are well worth considering:
Makunduchi is a quiet town, but there’s plenty to experience once you’re here. The best way to enjoy it is to immerse yourself in the local rhythm. The top things to do in Makunduchi revolve around culture, nature, and simple coastal pleasures rather than big tourist attractions. Below, we break down three major categories of experiences you shouldn’t miss.
One of the greatest rewards of visiting Makunduchi is experiencing everyday Zanzibari village life. A stroll through Old Makunduchi reveals coral stone houses, sandy lanes, and friendly encounters. Visit the local market (soko) to connect with residents. Here, you may see women selling fresh produce, fishermen returning with their catch, or artisans weaving traditional mkeka mats. If your visit coincides with Mwaka Kogwa in late July, you’ll witness one of Zanzibar’s most important cultural festivals.
One of Makunduchi’s greatest attractions is its peaceful, undeveloped beaches. You may spend hours without seeing another visitor. Compared to busier areas like Paje, the difference is immediate. Makunduchi Beach features soft, pale sand, scattered coral fragments, and shallow turquoise waters.
Because the village is located at Zanzibar’s southern tip, beaches extend around both the east and south coasts, with rocky coves, tide pools, and small sandy inlets. Facilities are minimal, so bring water, snacks, and a towel. Near Ras Makunduchi, the coral rock formations and open ocean views are beautiful scenery. During low tide, tidal flats and pools are filled with marine life. High tide is best for swimming, with gentle waves and warm water.
No visit to Zanzibar is complete without sampling its rich Swahili cuisine. This is not a town of fine dining, but of homemade cooking made with fresh seafood and aromatic spices. A local favourite is octopus coconut curry (mchuzi wa pweza). It is cooked slowly in coconut milk with spices and served with rice or chapati. You may also encounter pilau or biryani, fragrant rice dishes reflecting Indian and Arab influences. For snacks, look out for mishkaki (grilled meat skewers), mandazi, or viazi karai. Most visitors eat at their guesthouse or small local eateries (mgahawa).
Makunduchi is a great base to explore the wider southern region. Once you’ve settled in and seen the village itself, consider taking a few day trips to nearby attractions. In this southern Zanzibar road trip, you’ll find centuries-old mosques, coastal cliffs, mangrove-lined bays, and fishing communities.
Just a 20-minute drive west of Makunduchi, the fishing village of Kizimkazi is home to one of Zanzibar’s most important historical landmarks. The Kizimkazi Dimbani Mosque, built around 1107 AD by Shirazi settlers, is one of the oldest Islamic structures in East Africa. Constructed from coral stone and lime, its thick buttresses and simple rectangular design reflect early Persian-influenced architecture. An ancient Kufic inscription inside dates the mosque to the early 12th century, and it has been used for centuries. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times.
Beyond the mosque, Kizimkazi is a lively coastal village. The small harbour is filled with colourful dhows and fishing boats. The area is also known for dolphin tours. Before you go, walk along the coast towards Kizimkazi Mkunguni, a west-facing stretch ideal for sunset views over the Indian Ocean.
For dramatic natural scenery, Mtende Beach is one of the best places to visit in southern Zanzibar. This secluded cove is located on the island’s remote south-west coast, framed by towering limestone cliffs and filled with turquoise water. From Makunduchi, the drive takes about 40 minutes. You’ll pass through small villages before reaching a short, bumpy coral track. A footpath leads down to a small, sheltered beach where conditions change with the tide.
At low to mid tide, the lagoon becomes calm and shallow, ideal for wading, swimming, and exploring tide pools. At higher tide, the cove fills up, creating a natural pool backed by cliffs and rock formations, including a small cave. Climb to the clifftop to see panoramic views over Menai Bay, dotted with sandbanks and passing dhows.
For a relaxed day behind the wheel, the Menai Bay coastal drive offers some of southern Zanzibar’s most rewarding scenery. Menai Bay, the island’s largest marine conservation area, is a patchwork of mangroves, shallow turquoise waters, small islands, and fishing villages. While much of the bay is explored by boat, driving along its edge provides beautiful land-based views and insight into coastal life.
From Makunduchi, drive west to Kizimkazi and continue north along the quieter coastal road towards Bweleo, Unguja Ukuu, and Fumba. Roads vary from paved to compacted dirt, but are generally manageable. Along the way, look for pull-off points where the bay opens up, revealing mangrove forests, calm waters, and dhow sails. Take a detour to Unguja Ukuu if you’re interested in historic roots and photogenic shoreline. The drive ends near Fumba Peninsula, where rocky viewpoints overlook Menai Bay’s islands and sandbanks.
Exploring Makunduchi is a rewarding adventure as you discover experiences at your own pace. You can explore more of Southern Zanzibar, including secluded beaches and historic sites, in a few days. As long as you come prepared, you’ll have a safe and memorable trip.
Start planning your adventure by renting a car in Zanzibar with Final Rentals. With Final Rentals, booking a car online is fast and simple. Select Abeid Amani Karume International Airport as your pickup location, enter your travel dates, and choose a vehicle for your trip. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
