Destination guide

East Zanzibar

Kitesurfing lagoons, seaweed farms and Zanzibar's last red colobus forest

The southeast coast strings together the villages of Paje and Jambiani, East Africa's kitesurfing capital, and the Jozani forest inland. Its single job for a traveller is a laid-back beach base with reliable wind and a wildlife day among the endemic red colobus.

By the numbers

Unguja South

Region

capital Koani

Only national park

Jozani forest

on the island of Unguja

Endemic

Red colobus

found only on Zanzibar

Trade winds

Kitesurfing

reliable Jun-Sep and Dec-Feb

Women-led

Seaweed farming

a major coastal livelihood

12th century

Kizimkazi Mosque

oldest in use in East Africa

Best time to visit

Kitesurfers time their visit to the strong, steady kusi and kaskazi trade winds of June to September and December to February. These are also the driest, sunniest months; the long rains of April and May bring the quietest, cheapest, but wettest conditions.

Common questions

Yes, its flat, waist-deep lagoon and steady trade winds make it one of the best places in the world to learn, with many IKO-certified schools on the beach.

Sightings are almost guaranteed, as habituated troops feed near the boardwalks; guides ask visitors to keep a few metres away to protect the endemic monkeys.

Yes, the southeast coast has a large tidal range, so the sea retreats far out at low tide; this is ideal for kitesurfing but means swimming is tide-dependent.

It sits on a coral rock off Michamvi; at low tide you can walk out, and at high tide the restaurant sends a short boat, but booking ahead is essential.