Paje is Zanzibar's kitesurf capital — wide flat beach, constant wind, and a laid-back backpacker-meets-boutique vibe. But Paje is also the perfect base for exploring the entire southeast coast, and that's a job for a car, not a taxi.
Why you want a car in Paje
The southeast coast is a string of beaches — Paje, Jambiani, Dongwe, Michamvi, Pingwe — each with its own character, spread over 20+ km. Taxis between them add up fast, and dala-dalas (local minibuses) run on their own schedule. A rental car from $25/day turns the whole coast into your playground, with total freedom over timing — crucial when you're chasing wind conditions or low tide.
We deliver anywhere in Paje, so the car is at your hotel when you wake up.
Southeast coast road trips from Paje
Paje → Jambiani (10 minutes south)
The coastal road hugs the shoreline. Jambiani is quieter than Paje, with excellent snorkelling and the famous Kuza Cave nearby — a freshwater cave you can swim in. Park at the cave entrance; entry is a few dollars.
Paje → Dongwe & Michamvi (20–30 minutes north)
Head up the coast to Dongwe's calm lagoons and Michamvi's stunning sunsets. The road is paved most of the way with sandy patches near beach access points.
Paje → Pingwe & the Rock Restaurant (15 minutes north)
The Rock — the restaurant perched on a rock in the ocean — is the island's most photographed lunch spot. Book ahead, drive up, park nearby, and time your visit for high tide when the rock is surrounded by water.
Paje → Jozani Forest (30 minutes west)
Zanzibar's only national park, home to the rare red colobus monkeys. A great half-day trip: forest walk in the morning, back to the beach by lunch.
Beach access and parking
Beach access points along the southeast coast are marked but informal — sandy tracks lead off the main road to the shore. This is SUV country, and it's exactly why the RAV4 is our most popular rental: ground clearance for the sandy bits, comfortable for the paved stretches. Parking at beaches is free and easy; never leave valuables visible in the car.
Practical driving notes
- Drive on the left. The coastal road is quiet, so it's a gentle place to adjust.
- Low tide vs high tide changes everything on this coast — check tide times before planning beach stops.
- Avoid night driving. Unlit roads, plus the odd goat.
- Fuel up in Paje before long loops; stations thin out toward Michamvi.
The coast is yours
Kitesurf in the morning, Kuza Cave at noon, sunset in Michamvi — that's a day you can't do by taxi. We'll deliver the car to your hotel in Paje with the permit sorted and no deposit.
Book on WhatsApp: +255 678 723 942 — tell us your dates and where you're staying in Paje.