Zanzibar is more than just a beach holiday. It’s an island made for road trips. From quiet coastal villages to lush forests and hidden caves, these summer beach drives are best enjoyed from June to October.
Renting a car in Zanzibar can help French tourists explore beyond the usual tourist hubs. The roads are scenic, distances are short, and many must-see spots are tucked between beaches and forests. With a car, you can enjoy cool coastal breezes, stop for spice tours, and reach peaceful villages at your own pace. Keep reading our Zanzibar summer travel guide to discover the best routes, hidden stops, and must-see destinations perfect for a sunny road trip.
From June to September, Zanzibar enjoys warm days, low humidity, and minimal rainfall, which is ideal for sightseeing, swimming, and road trips. The clear skies make coastal drives and photo stops more enjoyable. Even remote areas with dirt roads, like those near Kuza Cave or Tangawizi Spice Farm, stay accessible without a 4x4 during this dry period.
French tourists in Zanzibar often seek a mix of relaxation and culture. The island delivers both. Zanzibar spans about 85 km long and 30 km wide, so no place is too far. You can start your day exploring Stone Town, drive 20 minutes to a spice farm for lunch, and reach Kendwa Beach in under 90 minutes to catch the sunset.
Zanzibar has several easy drives that combine views, activities, and relaxing stops. These routes are great during the summer heat, with shaded roads, breezy beaches, and short drive times.
The Stone Town to Kendwa Beach summer drive is ideal for travelers who enjoy combining historic sightseeing with relaxing beach time. The route is about 65 kilometers and takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes by car. It’s especially suited for those who prefer short drives, well-paved roads, and easy access to top spots without needing a 4x4.
Start your morning in Stone Town’s old quarters, then head north to unwind at Kendwa Beach. The dry summer weather makes the drive pleasant, and the beach offers soft sand, gentle waves, great for swimming, sunbathing, or a quiet afternoon by the sea.
The drive from Jozani Forest to Paje Beach covers about 20 kilometers and takes 40 minutes. This short summer drive is ideal for travelers who enjoy nature and coastal scenery in one trip.
Begin your day in Jozani Forest, home to Zanzibar’s rare red colobus monkeys and shaded walking trails. After exploring the forest, head east to Paje, a beach known for its wide shore, steady breeze, and vibrant kite-surfing scene. The dry summer months make the route easy to navigate, even on minor roads. This drive is best for those who want eco-exploration and beach time without long travel.
The drive from Nungwi to Matemwe via the Tazari Caves spans approximately 27 kilometers and typically takes 40 minutes. Begin your journey in Nungwi, a village known for its beautiful beaches and lively atmosphere. As you head south, stop at the Tazari Caves, a large limestone cave just outside Nungwi. Continuing southeast, you'll arrive at Matemwe, a tranquil coastal village renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches and proximity to Mnemba Atoll, a popular snorkeling and diving spot.
The drive from Kizimkazi to Jambiani via Kuza Cave is approximately 25 kilometers and takes 45 minutes by car. This route is ideal if you seek a blend of coastal charm, cultural exploration, and natural beauty.
Start your journey in Kizimkazi, a serene fishing village on Zanzibar's southern coast, renowned for its dolphin tours and historic mosque. As you head northeast, stop at Kuza Cave, located near Jambiani. Continue to Jambiani, a laid-back beach village known for its expansive white sands and vibrant local community.
Each destination listed below is easy to reach, enjoyable even in warm weather, and adds a unique moment to your summer road trip in Zanzibar.
Mtoni Palace Ruins stays cooler in summer due to its position along the western coast of Unguja Island, just 4 km north of Stone Town. The site faces the Indian Ocean, where afternoon sea breezes help reduce the heat. Tall baobab and tamarind trees offer natural shade across the grounds, making exploring the ruins more comfortable.
The dry months also make the site easier to walk through. Gravel and stone paths remain firm, with no mud or standing water to block access. You can see the palace layout, including the old hammam (bathhouse), arched entrances, and the remains of the sultan’s private quarters.
Its location makes it easy to pair with a drive to the Kidichi Persian Baths or a return stop in Stone Town for lunch. Since tour buses rarely stop here, summer visits are peaceful to take photos and learn about Zanzibar’s Omani era.
Kendwa Beach is one of the best places to visit in Zanzibar during summer because it stays swimmable all day. Unlike most beaches on the east coast, Kendwa isn’t affected by extreme tides. You can swim, snorkel, or walk along the shore any time. Kendwa is also cooler and less humid than southern beach areas.
The beach faces west, offering some of Zanzibar’s best sunset views. From June to September, the skies are mostly clear, making sunset-watching one of the highlights of a summer evening here. The water stays calm during this dry season, so boat trips, diving, and other activities run regularly with little weather disruption.
Along the beach, well-known spots like Kendwa Rocks and Gold Zanzibar Beach House serve fresh seafood like grilled snapper, octopus, and prawn curries. Beach bars such as The Lounge and Sunset Kendwa stay open from midday to late, offering shaded seating, fresh juice, and evening cocktails with direct ocean views.
Paje Beach stays active and breezy during Zanzibar’s summer months, a popular base for water sports and coastal relaxation. It is located on the island’s southeast coast and faces the open Indian Ocean, where steady Kusi winds arrive between June and September. These winds create perfect conditions for kitesurfing, with consistent speeds between 16 and 22 knots during most afternoons.
The beach’s shallow lagoon stretches far out during low tide, exposing firm sand flats ideal for walking or beginner kite practice. The dry season keeps the beach clean and the water clear, with excellent visibility for paddleboarding and snorkeling in the early morning before the wind rises. Paje also has a laid-back town atmosphere, with easy access to beachfront cafés, rental shops, and kite schools. Places like Mr. Kahawa Café and Airborne Kite Centre sit on the sand, offering shaded seats, fresh juice, and gear rentals.
Kuza Cave in Jambiani is an ancient limestone cave that features a 50-meter-wide pool filled with clear, cool freshwater. The cave's shaded interior and surrounding lush vegetation provide a naturally cooler environment.
Beyond swimming, Kuza Cave serves as a cultural hub. Visitors can participate in Swahili cooking classes, learning to prepare traditional dishes like coconut bean soup and Zanzibar pizza. The on-site cultural center also offers drumming and dancing sessions, providing insights into local traditions. The area around Kuza Cave is a nature preserve, home to wildlife such as red colobus monkeys, butterflies, and various bird species.
Matemwe Beach on Zanzibar’s northeast coast offers long stretches of white sand backed by palm trees and fishing villages. It’s one of the island’s quietest beaches, with fewer resorts than Nungwi or Paje. From June to September, the area enjoys dry skies, low humidity, and average daytime temperatures of 27°C (81°F).
The beach lies directly opposite Mnemba Atoll, Zanzibar’s most famous marine reserve. Boat rides from Matemwe take about 20 to 30 minutes, and most tours run daily during summer when the sea is calm. Snorkelers and divers can spot green sea turtles, moray eels, and bright reef fish along Mnemba’s coral walls. Visibility during the dry season can reach up to 30 meters underwater.
In Matemwe village, locals farm seaweed along the shore at low tide, and fishermen head out daily in traditional ngalawa canoes. You can watch them return with their catch each morning, or join a village tour to see how coconut rope or woven mats are made.
Kizimkazi Dolphin Point is renowned for its dolphin-watching opportunities. The area is home to pods of bottlenose and humpback dolphins, which are often seen during early morning boat tours. These tours typically depart between 6:00 and 9:00 AM, when dolphin activity is at its peak. The calm seas and clear visibility during the dry season, from June to October, enhance the experience.
The waters around Kizimkazi are part of the Menai Bay Conservation Area. This area supports diverse marine life, including coral reefs, tropical fish, and seagrasses. Local tour operators offer eco-friendly excursions to observe dolphins in their natural habitat and, when conditions permit, swim alongside them.
Beyond dolphin encounters, Kizimkazi offers cultural experiences, such as visiting the 12th-century Kizimkazi Mosque, one of East Africa's oldest Islamic structures. The village's tranquil beaches and traditional fishing community show Zanzibar's rich heritage.
Tangawizi Spice Farm, located near the Dole Mosque in Zanzibar, offers an immersive experience into the island's spice heritage. During the dry summer months from June to September, the farm's lush greenery and aromatic plantations are in full bloom.
Visitors can embark on guided tours that showcase a variety of spices, such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and black pepper, and learn about their cultivation and uses. The farm also cultivates tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, and pineapples, which you can sample during your visit.
Beyond the sensory delights, Tangawizi Spice Farm offers cooking classes to prepare traditional dishes like pilau and mchuzi wa pweza, using freshly harvested spices. Additionally, the farm provides henna painting sessions. The farm operates daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with spice tours typically lasting around two hours.
Zanzibar offers French tourists a summer road trip filled with various beaches, forests, caves, and cultural stops within short drives. From dolphin tours in Kizimkazi to spice trails near Stone Town, each route offers breezy drives and easy access.
Renting a car with Finalrentals is the best way to explore Zanzibar’s top summer drives. You get comfort, flexibility, and fair prices. We can make your trip smooth and stress-free with a quick booking system and convenient pickup points at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Downtown Zanzibar, and the Ferry Terminal.
