Paje Voyage Tips and guide

Paje is a village in Zanzibar in Tanzania. It is on the east coast of Zanzibar (or actually Unguga) island.

Paje is a village of approximately 5000 people on the southeast coast of Zanzibar. It has good conditions for kitesurfing and retains an authentic and chilled-out beach atmosphere (fewer beach boys and merchants on the beach). Paje is experiencing a boom in tourism as more tourists come to kitesurf (the first kitesurfing school was built in 2012). Despite this, Paje is safe and one can appreciate Zanzibar's natural beauty by walking on the beach at midnight in relative safety.

Paje's beach can be tide-dependent - at low tide, one may need to walk almost a kilometer to reach the water, while at high tide the beach may disappear in places. These extremes usually only happen once a month, dependent on the moon.

There are several ATM in Paje, near the petrol station or at the main roundabout. Only the largest hotels/restaurants accept credit cards.

Taking a taxi from airport takes 1 hour and costs approximately US$60. Just when you leave airport, taxi or minibus will cost much less - around US$40. Shared shuttles can be booked for US$10 and provide all the comforts of a taxi at a reduced price (book here). The local bus transportation (named dala-dala) is much cheaper - Tsh 2000, and not much slower, but surely less comfortable and depart from outside the city center. Use a taxi or minibus and you can enjoy sightseeing and air condition,but use dala-dala if you want to chat with local people and get many interesting suggestions for trips or destination!

As Paje is a village more than 5 km long, it is better to tell the driver the name of hotel where you plan to stay or a closer direction. If you have not decided for a certain accommodation yet, do not rely on drivers decision - he will drive directly to most expensive hotel. Or hop off on the crossroad in Paje (actually a roundabout with a big red supermarket nearby) and you can walk only about 200 m to the beach.

The village can be explored by foot. The village is widespread from about 1 km south (Bwejuu) on 5km strip to the south (Jambiani). You can drive here from Stone Town in 30-40 minutes by car or motorbike, or take dala-dala Nr. 309 and 340. The whole village can be reached by foot, or you can make a visit around by bicycle or by taxi (around US$1.30 per person sharing). Most roads in Paje are not suitable for cars, as they are only dusty tracks actually.

Sleepy fishermens village is situated on a beautiful strip of seashore. It is an important crossroad - main road from Stone Town (direction Kitogani) is divided in two direction directly in Paje. Either you can drive to the north to Bwejuu (turn left) or continue to the south (turn right) to Jambiani and Makunduchi. You can find small shops and two supermarkets near this cross road. Further inside the village you can find more small shops, where you can buy souvenirs, especially vivid coloured paintings in Zanzibarian style and various coconut products.

Paje is built in traditional Swahili style, so you can make short trips through long dusty "streets" and enjoy local cordial atmosphere. You will meet dozens of children asking for "caramella" (sweets) or biscuits. Local people usually spend the whole day in their usual work - gathering seaweed, making ropes of coconut fibers or repairing or building boats (dhows). If you want to take photos, please be kind and ask before you take a shoot. For many locals this is a pleasant source of income.

As Paje is famous kitesurfing centre, most tourists are either keen on kitesurfing here or they have possibility to learn basics of this popular sport. Windy weather conditions are not only good for kitesurfing, but also a pleasant natural air conditioning. Zanzibar weather as strongly influenced by monsoons, so tourist are advised to watch weather forecast before planning their trip!

Evenings on shore of Paje are dedicated to football. Local boys, men, and tourists meet every evening for serious game. And for a couple of drinks for all participants right after the match, regardless of goals or winners.

If lazy atmosphere of Paje makes you sick, you can make long trips along the shore - in 1 hour you can reach Jambiani or Bwejuu (but hot sun makes you tired in 10 minutes, so be aware of sun burning!) If you want to make serious trip, you can rent a bike, scooter or motorcycle - rental offices are in many resorts or ask touts (locals who enjoy offering any service, from luggage transport through fishing trips to snorkeling and dolphin safaris - as their only knowledge is poor English, but as long as they gain your interest, they "subcontract" other local people to these services for modest budget with large profit).

Learn kiteboarding at one of the kiteboarding schools - compare prices, all schools are less than 1 km apart from each other.

Swim in the lukewarm water when the tide is in, or walk to the coral reef (be careful of incoming tide, watch locals for right timing)

Scuba diving is also possible in Paje - try Buccaneer Diving.

Make a trip to the famous The Rock restaurant in Michamvi (~Tsh 40,000 return taxi trip, or rent a Vespa for US$25/day). Best combined with Blue Lagoon Snorkelling trip.

In the middle of the beach is stalls selling paintings by local artists.

Near the main T-junction is a shop (Supa Duka) selling a small selection of wine and food. Contrary to all the signs, they do not accept credit cards.

Paje has a growing casual food scene shaped by kite surfers, expats and seasonal visitors. Prices are generally moderate, with local meals starting around US$ 5–7 and international dishes such as pasta or pizza from around US$10.

Zanzibari cuisine combines African, Indian and Arabic influences, using a wide range of local spices. Most dishes are flavourful but not overly spicy, making them suitable for a wide range of tastes. Seafood availability often depends on the daily catch, with many restaurants offering simple chalkboard menus.

Many hotels operate small in-house restaurants serving a mix of local dishes, seafood and international “tourist menu” staples. European dishes may differ slightly in taste, as they are adapted to local ingredients and cooking styles.

• Utalli Restaurant, Main Road (opposite Shirin Supermarket). A simple, good-value local place serving rice or ugali with vegetable sauces and optional fish. Service is relatively fast compared to many local restaurants.
• Mapacha Food Court. An open-air food court with multiple independent food stalls offering a variety of cuisines, including burgers, grill, pizza, seafood and vegetarian options. Popular evening meeting point for travellers and locals.
• Oxygen Restaurant, central Paje Beach. Beachfront restaurant known for fresh seafood, drinks and elevated views over the beach.

Paje has a relaxed beach-bar scene that becomes livelier in the evenings, especially during the high kite-surfing season. Bars are spread along the beach between Paje and Jambiani, ranging from quiet daytime spots to more energetic venues hosting regular parties.

Most bars operate roughly from late morning until around 10pm, though closing times may extend during events. Occasional loud music can be expected during parties, particularly near beachfront lodges.

Regular themed or weekly parties are common, typically rotating between different venues along the beach.

• Mapacha Food Court. Central open-air venue with a bar serving cocktails, beer and wine, featuring a large circular wooden bar. Popular evening gathering place for travellers and locals.
• Oxygen, Paje Beach. Beachfront bar and restaurant known for sunset drinks and weekly events.
• Jambo Beach Bungalows, Paje Beach. Casual beach bar that hosts regular social evenings.
• Vuvuzela, Paje. Known for occasional larger parties and music nights.

Bars typically serve local beers such as Kilimanjaro and Safari, alongside wine and a selection of local and imported spirits. Fresh fruit juices made from pineapple, orange or papaya are widely available and popular throughout the day.

• Summer Dream Lodge. Check-out: 11:30AM. This Dutch-owned hotel is about 2 minutes off of the beach and is a good choice if you are looking for a cheaper, quieter hotel. You can walk to the kite schools in about 20 minutes. Rooms are pretty basic (nets & fan) but the beds are enormous. Owner is very helpful. Restaurant and rooms are a good value - the rates in low season with negotiation: TSh 10,000-16,000 for a meal, rooms around US$25 incl Wi-Fi and breakfast (dorms also available) (updated Jun 2015)
• White Beach Hotel Zanzibar, Bwejuu (East Coast Bwejuu), ☏ +255 772279353, [email protected]. Check-in: Any time, check-out: 10AM. 6 bungalows near the beach. The place is very relaxed and comfortable. US$25 per person, including breakfast and taxes. 
• Ndame Beach Lodge (Paje Ndame Village), ☏ +255 777886611, [email protected]. Check-in: anytime, check-out: 10AM. 14 bungalows with 31 rooms within a tropical garden. Different rooms (single, twin, double, triple, family). Breakfast included in rate, as is free coffee and tea all day long and Wifi. US$40-50 per person. (updated Aug 2015)
• Hakuna Majiwe Beach Lodge Zanzibar, ☏ +255 777 454 505, [email protected]. The hotel consists of 20 rooms in beach bungalows, facing the ocean. The restaurant, facing the ocean, is situated under a large thatched roof which also houses the lounge and bar. Cuisine is a blend of Italian and African food. $250+. (updated Dec 2022)

• -6.4493439.470311 The Residence Zanzibar by Cenizaro, Mchamgamle, Kizimkazi, ☏ +255 245 555 000, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Starting from US$280.