Most Zanzibar itineraries you find online are written by tourists who took taxis everywhere. They will tell you where to go, but not how to actually drive there. This one is different.
We are a local car rental team based near Stone Town, and we have helped thousands of travelers plan self-drive trips across the island. This itinerary is based on the routes our customers take most often, refined by their feedback and our own experience driving every road on Zanzibar.
The island is small enough that you could technically drive from one end to the other in two hours. But that would miss the point entirely.
Zanzibar rewards slow travel. A week gives you time to explore the historical maze of Stone Town, watch the sunset from Nungwi, feel the kite surfing energy of Paje, and discover beaches so quiet that your footprints are the only ones in the sand.
You will need a car, a Zanzibar driving permit (we arrange this for you), and a willingness to take the occasional unplanned detour. Here is your week, day by day.
Day 1: Arrive and Explore Stone Town
Drive: Airport to Stone Town:15 minutes, paved road
Your Zanzibar road trip itinerary begins the moment you land at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Pick up your car from us right at the arrivals hall. Your Zanzibar driving permit, insurance documents, and a full tank of fuel will all be ready.
Drive the short distance to your Stone Town hotel. The airport road is straightforward and well-paved. Once you get close to the old town, park at the Forodhani Gardens car park near the Old Fort, about 1,000 TZS per hour with a parking attendant.
Do not attempt to drive into Stone Town itself. The streets were designed centuries ago for foot traffic and donkeys, not cars.
Spend the afternoon getting lost in the narrow alleys of the UNESCO World Heritage quarter. Visit the Old Fort, browse the carved Zanzibari doors, and stop at Darajani Market if it is still open.
In the evening, the Forodhani Gardens night market comes alive with grilled seafood, Zanzibar pizza, fresh sugarcane juice, and urojo soup. This is the best street food experience on the island and everything costs under $3.
Where to eat: Forodhani Gardens night market for street food, Emerson on Hurumzi rooftop for a special dinner with views over Stone Town.
Overnight: Stone Town
Day 2: Spice Farm and Drive to Nungwi
Drive: Stone Town to Spice Farm: 20 minutes | Spice Farm to Nungwi: 60 minutes
Start early. Next for your Zanzibar road trip itinerary head northeast out of Stone Town toward one of the island's spice farms Tangawizi or Kizimbani, both excellent. A guided tour takes about 90 minutes and costs around $15-20 per person.
You will taste fresh turmeric, smell cloves straight from the tree, and learn why Zanzibar earned the name Spice Island. The experience is genuinely fascinating, not a tourist trap.
After the tour, continue north on the main B2 road toward Nungwi. The drive is scenic and entirely paved.
You will pass through small villages with fruit stands selling mangoes, jackfruit, and coconuts pull over and buy some. Watch for speed bumps in every village.
Arrive in Nungwi by early afternoon. Check into your hotel, grab lunch at a beachfront restaurant, and spend the rest of the day on the beach.
Nungwi's water stays deep at low tide, so you can swim at any time. Visit the Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond in the late afternoon it is a short walk from most Nungwi hotels and costs a few dollars to enter.
Sunset: Gerry's Bar or Z Hotel beach bar — beanbags on the sand, cold Serengeti beer, and one of the best sunset views in East Africa.
Overnight: Nungwi
Day 3: Nungwi Beach Day and Snorkelling
Drive: None — stay in Nungwi
Leave the car parked at your hotel today. Nungwi deserves a full day without rushing anywhere. Book a morning snorkelling trip to Mnemba Atoll the marine reserve off the northeast coast, with some of the clearest water in the Indian Ocean.
You will see tropical fish, sea turtles, and occasionally dolphins. Most hotels can arrange the trip for $30-40 per person.
Spend the afternoon on the beach. Walk along the shore toward the lighthouse at the very tip of the island. The fishing boats pulled up on the sand make for great photos, especially in the golden hour before sunset.
Worth knowing: Nungwi has the most lively nightlife on the island. If that is your thing, the beach bars stay open late, and the vibe is social and relaxed.
Overnight: Nungwi
Day 4: Kendwa and Drive to Matemwe
Drive: Nungwi to Kendwa: 10 minutes | Kendwa to Matemwe: 40 minutes
Start the morning with a Zanzibar road trip itinerary short drive south to Kendwa. The beach here is arguably even more beautiful than Nungwi, wider, quieter, and lined with palm trees. Spend a couple of hours swimming and relaxing.
After lunch, head east across the island to Matemwe on the northeast coast. The drive takes about 40 minutes on paved roads. Matemwe is one of the most underrated destinations in Zanzibar a long, quiet beach with views of Mnemba Island in the distance. This is where you start to feel like you have the island to yourself.
The beach at Matemwe is tidal, which means that at low tide, the water recedes far out, and you can walk across the exposed reef flat. At high tide, it is perfect for swimming. The seaweed farmers working in the shallows are a quintessentially Zanzibar scene.
Overnight: Matemwe
Day 5: Matemwe to Paje via Jozani Forest
Drive: Matemwe to Jozani Forest: 50 minutes | Jozani to Paje: 20 minutes
Today is a driving day, and it is one of the best routes on the island. Zanzibar road trip itinerary head south from Matemwe through the interior of Zanzibar toward Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. The road passes through rural villages, coconut plantations, and stretches of dense tropical forest.
Stop at Jozani Forest for a guided walk about an hour, with a $12 entry fee. The forest is home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, an endemic species found nowhere else on earth. They are remarkably tame and will swing through the branches right above your head. The boardwalk through the mangrove forest at the back of the park is also worth the detour.
Continue south to Paje on the east coast. This is the kite surfing capital of Zanzibar the beach is wide, the wind is consistent, and the atmosphere is laid-back and social. Even if you have no interest in kite surfing, Paje is worth spending time in. The beach stretches for kilometres, and the cafes along the shore serve excellent food.
Where to eat: Mr. Kahawa for coffee and breakfast vibes, Paje by Night for fresh seafood and live music.
Overnight: Paje
Day 6: Paje Beach Day and Drive South
Drive: Paje to Jambiani: 15 minutes | Jambiani to Kizimkazi: 25 minutes | Return to Paje: 40 minutes
Start with a lazy morning in Paje. Watch the kite surfers from a beachfront cafe, take a walk along the shore at low tide, or try a kite surfing lesson yourself. Most schools charge around $60-80 for a beginner session.
After lunch, drive south along the coast. This is where having your own car truly pays off. The road from Paje to Jambiani hugs the coastline, coconut palms on both sides, the Indian Ocean glittering to your left. Jambiani is quieter and more local than Paje. Stop for a walk on the beach and watch the seaweed farmers at work in the shallows.
Continue to Kizimkazi at the southern tip of the island. This fishing village is famous for dolphin tours (boats leave early morning, so if you want to do one, plan for Day 7 instead), but the real draw is the ancient Kizimkazi Mosque, one of the oldest Islamic structures in East Africa, dating back to the 12th century.
Fuel note: Fill up in Paje before heading south. Fuel stations are scarce beyond Jambiani.
Overnight: Paje
Day 7: Return to Stone Town and Depart
Drive: Paje to Stone Town: 60-70 minutes via the main road
Your final morning. If your flight is in the afternoon, take a last swim in Paje, grab breakfast at your favourite cafe, and then drive back to Stone Town. The route takes about an hour on the main road.
Arrive in Stone Town with time for last-minute shopping. Zanzibari spices, handmade soaps, and kanga fabrics make excellent souvenirs. Darajani Market and the small shops along Gizenga Street are your best bets.
Drop the car off with us at the airport or in Stone Town, whichever works better for your schedule. If you have a late flight, we can arrange flexible drop-off times via WhatsApp. No rush, no stress.
Tip: If your flight departs late and you have the whole day, add a Prison Island boat trip from Stone Town. The giant Aldabra tortoises are worth meeting, and the 25-minute boat ride offers beautiful views of the Stone Town waterfront.
Practical Driving Tips for This Route
- Total driving distance for the full 7-day loop: approximately 250-280 kilometres
- Maximum single-day drive: about 70 kilometres (Matemwe to Paje via Jozani)
- All main roads on this route are paved. The only unpaved sections are short access roads to some hotels and the Kendwa turnoff
- Fill up in Stone Town, Nungwi, and Paje. These three towns have reliable fuel stations
- Download the offline Google Maps for Zanzibar before your trip
- Carry cash in TZS and USD for fuel, parking, and entry fees
- Budget roughly $50-80/day total for fuel, food, and activities on top of your car rental
Which Car for This Road Trip?
The Toyota RAV4 5-door is our most popular choice for this exact itinerary. It has enough boot space for luggage, handles paved and unpaved roads comfortably, and starts at $30/day with full insurance and unlimited mileage.
For couples traveling light, the RAV4 3-door at $25/day works perfectly. If you want premium comfort or are traveling during rainy season, the Toyota Prado at $150/day handles everything with ease.
Every rental includes your Zanzibar driving permit, free airport delivery, full comprehensive insurance, and 24/7 WhatsApp support. View our full fleet here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The full loop from Stone Town to Nungwi, east to Matemwe, south to Paje and Kizimkazi, and back to Stone Town is roughly 250-280 kilometres. In pure driving time that is about 5-6 hours, but spread across 7 days you will never drive more than 90 minutes in a single stretch.
No. All main roads on this route are paved. A standard SUV like the Toyota RAV4 handles every road comfortably. A 4x4 is only necessary if you plan to explore very remote areas during rainy season.
You can cover the highlights in 5 days by cutting the Nungwi beach day and combining Matemwe with the drive to Paje. However, 7 days gives you time to actually relax rather than rushing between destinations.
Yes. We have customers driving this route every week. Read our complete guide to driving in Zanzibar for detailed safety information, permit details, and tips on police checkpoints.
June to October is the dry season with the best weather. December to February is also excellent. Avoid the long rains (April to May) when some unpaved roads can become muddy.
Ready to Drive Around Zanzibar?
This itinerary is the trip we wish every visitor would take. You will see sides of Zanzibar that organised tours never reach, such as quiet fishing villages, roadside fruit stands, and hidden beaches where your footprints are the first of the day.
Book your car via WhatsApp at +255 775 900 001 or browse our fleet online. We handle the permit, insurance, and deliver your car to the airport for free. Our self-drive rentals start from $25/day.
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