South Zanzibar Tour – Village Tour and Abandoned Eco-resort

Off the Beaten Track on Zanzibar is a tour for  travellers that want to see the real Zanzibar – without tourists.

No one else does this tour but me – short car ride to South of Zanzibar, guided walk with lunch through the village and a bumpy ride to empty beach hotel.

travel with a local on zanzibar village visit south zanzibar

From anywhere along the South East coast, I will pick you up by taxi and we take a short ride to the very South of Zanzibar to a small village where tourism hasn’t really reached yet. The local  Zanzibari village invites you for a stroll through the basic yet inviting houses while children follow you around curiously.

It is a typical Zanzibar village with some odd natural attractions around. It wouldn’t be an experience with locals without the food, so they will cook a yummy lunch for you to enjoy in the shade while observing village life.

We continue along an African-massage road (very bumpy!) for a couple of kms to reach an abandoned beach hotel – the beach bay was developed some time ago to be abandoned after few years of operation, yet everything is still there and the eerie atmosphere makes it an exciting opportunity to explore the empty bungalows or walk out on the derelict pier.

You are far off from anything else, a great spot to contemplate nature, life and human impact – a very different side of Zanzibar.

Minimum 2 people. Tour price includes: Taxi for day, guide, contribution to village development fund, local lunch

Tour off the beaten track on  South Zanzibar can be arranged for one person or more than 6 people people, ask about prices for one person (if you are alone, you can also choose a ride with Vespa!)

 

Off the Beaten Track on Zanzibar – Kuumbi Caves by Bike

Explore ancient caves near Jambiani by bike, crossing through bushland and discovering Zanzibar’s interior away from the beach!

Kuumbi Cave Zanzibar tour

From Jambiani, we take our bikes (no worries, I will organise) and take a ride down the road and into the bushland. After 2 km of some bumpy cycling, you are welcome to explore Kuumbi Caves, a collection of caves which show evidence of early human settlement and are nowadays used for worshipping, meeting and visiting. Being away from the hustle of the beach, the caves are wonderfully shady and quiet, giving you a chance to just enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature.

Tour price for visit to Kuumbi Caves: 20 USD per person –  Price based on leaving from Jambiani, ask for taxi to pick you up. Tour price includes:  guiding fee, entrance fee to Kuumbi Caves, bike rental

 

Sunset BBQ in Michamvi Village

For a great evening out, come and join us for a sunset BBQ with local transport, one of Zanzibar’s best beaches, yummy seafood BBQ and music at the bonfire!

sunset bbq zanzibar

This trip is ideal if you are a group of friends or family on the South East coast  of  Zanzibar (anywhere else, we can organise transfer as well, just ask us). We pick you up with a dalla dalla or local bus and take you up the road to the beach in Michamvi, the only beach on the South East coast with a sunset.

 

Sandbank picnic on Zanzibar – full day

zanzibar sunset bbq on the beach

 

Enjoy the last hours of the day by going for a swim or grabbing a beer at Zanzibar’s coolest bar Kae Funk, while we light up the BBQ and put finishing touches on the fish, curry, chapati, salad, etc. Just after sunset, sit down for the all-you-can-eat-yummyness before we light up the bonfire underneath the stars (or full moon, if you are lucky) and make some music for you.

 

When you are done with our bush tv (bonfire and stars) we drop you back at your place.

 Minimum 8 people. Tour includes transfer, BBQ dinner and water. Bar is nearby and other drinks can be ordered and bought.

Travel With A local on Zanzibar

 

I am Lau, a true Zanzibari, born and bred in Stone Town. I started working within the tourism industry a long time ago as dishwasher, but then I decided to study English and Tourism while I made the village of Jambiani my home. The beach, the sea and anything reggae- and football related is my life. Oh, and my little daughter, of course. I love showing travelers the island of Zanzibar, particularly the South East coast where there are many things to do and see, like snorkeling with a local fisherboat, sunset BBQ on the beach, sandbank picnic with dolphins, village tour with Swahili cooking… Come and meet me!

Update 2018: Lau is no more living on Zanzibar. Thanks for visiting this site.