Kizimkazi Zanzibar Holidays
Kizimkazi
Holidays
Zanzibar's dolphin coast — swim with wild dolphins, explore ancient mosques and enjoy the most peaceful beaches on the island
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Flight Time
9h from London (via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam)
Best Time
June to October, December to February
Country
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Suppliers
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Kizimkazi Holiday Guide
Kizimkazi is a small, peaceful fishing village on the southern tip of Zanzibar — famous for its resident population of wild spinner and bottlenose dolphins, the oldest mosque in East Africa (1107 AD) and some of the most tranquil and authentic beaches on the island.
The dolphin swimming tours (approximately £15–20) are the finest in East Africa — a resident dolphin population means sightings are almost guaranteed year-round. The Kizimkazi Mosque is one of the most historically significant Islamic monuments in sub-Saharan Africa.
Jozani Forest (20 minutes away) is Zanzibar's only national park and the home of the rare red colobus monkey. The mangrove forest boat trips are excellent for birdwatching. The local seafood restaurants are excellent and very affordable.
Kizimkazi is 45 minutes from Stone Town by road. The best time to visit is June to October and December to February. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals, with the FIBI discount applied automatically.
Popular Areas in Kizimkazi
Average Temperatures
Jan
30°C
Feb
31°C
Mar
30°C
Apr
28°C
May
26°C
Jun
25°C
Jul
24°C
Aug
25°C
Sep
26°C
Oct
28°C
Nov
29°C
Dec
30°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Kizimkazi
The dolphins, ancient mosque and peaceful beaches that make Kizimkazi Zanzibar's most authentic and rewarding southern destination.
Swimming with Wild Dolphins
Kizimkazi is the best place in East Africa to swim with wild dolphins — a resident population of spinner and bottlenose dolphins lives in the waters off the southern tip of Zanzibar year-round. Boat tours (approximately £15–20 per person) depart from the beach each morning, locate the dolphin pods and allow snorkellers to enter the water alongside them. The experience is extraordinary and genuinely wild.
Kizimkazi Mosque — Oldest in East Africa
The Kizimkazi Mosque, in the village of Kizimkazi Dimbani, is the oldest mosque in East Africa — built in 1107 AD, over 900 years ago. The mosque has extraordinary Kufic inscriptions on the walls and a beautiful carved mihrab (prayer niche). The mosque is still in active use and is one of the most historically significant Islamic monuments in sub-Saharan Africa. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times.
Peaceful Beaches
Kizimkazi has some of the most peaceful and uncrowded beaches in Zanzibar — long stretches of white sand with very little development, backed by coconut palms and mangrove forest. The beaches are less spectacular than Nungwi (the tidal range is significant on the south coast) but the tranquility and authenticity more than compensate. The beaches are excellent for walking and birdwatching.
Mangrove Forest Boat Trips
The mangrove forests around Kizimkazi are extraordinary — a dense, atmospheric tangle of roots and channels that is home to birds, fish and crabs. Boat trips through the mangroves (approximately £10–15 per person) are excellent for birdwatching and photography. The mangroves are an important nursery for the fish that sustain the local fishing community.
Authentic Fishing Village
Kizimkazi is one of the most authentic and unspoilt fishing villages in Zanzibar — a community that has lived by fishing for centuries, with traditional wooden dhows, fish markets and a way of life largely unchanged by tourism. The village is welcoming and the local people are friendly. Walking through the village in the early morning is one of the most rewarding experiences in Zanzibar.
Jozani Forest — Red Colobus Monkeys
Jozani Forest, 20 minutes from Kizimkazi, is Zanzibar's only national park and the home of the rare red colobus monkey — found only on Zanzibar. The forest walk (approximately 1 hour, £5 entry) takes you through extraordinary forest and mangrove swamps, with almost guaranteed sightings of the red colobus monkeys. Kizimkazi is an excellent base for a Jozani Forest day trip.
Sunset Views
Kizimkazi is on the southern tip of Zanzibar and has extraordinary sunset views over the Indian Ocean. The sunsets from the beach are spectacular — the sky turns orange and pink as the sun drops below the horizon. The fishing boats returning to the village at sunset are a beautiful and photogenic sight.
Local Seafood
Kizimkazi has excellent local seafood restaurants — small, family-run establishments serving fresh fish, octopus, crab and prawns caught that morning by the local fishing boats. The food is simple, fresh and delicious. The prices are very low — a full seafood meal costs approximately £5–8. The local Zanzibari food (pilau rice, coconut fish curry, biryani) is excellent.
Explore Kizimkazi on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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