Zanzibar: Jozani Forest & Salaam Cave + Pickup & Entry fees
Free cancellation · Pickup included
fromUS$80
See dates on GetYourGuideJambiani, Tanzania: beach village guide and getting there
Day tour
Zanzibar: Jozani Forest & Salaam Cave + Pickup & Entry fees
fromUS$80
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See dates on GetYourGuideSouth-east coast village
What Jambiani is like
Over 6 km along the beach3
Jambiani is a working fishing village with guesthouses tucked in between the houses. It runs for over 6 km3 along the beach, with lots of small hotels and guesthouses1 along the way.
- Where it sits: Unguja, the main island, is one of Zanzibar’s two large islands in the Indian Ocean4. Jambiani is on its east side, just down the coast from Paje.
- How people live: Ecofin Agency reported in August 20255 that the community relies mainly on fishing and seaweed farming.
- Seaweed farms: at low tide you can often see people harvesting the seaweed farms by hand5. The work once employed nearly 400 people here and now roughly 50, mostly women2.
- Village stays: small family-run guesthouses let you experience local daily life5, which suits you if you’d rather wake up in a village than in a resort compound.
Sea, caves and crafts
Things to do in Jambiani
Most of what you’ll do in Jambiani happens on the water or along the beach.
- Kitesurfing: the calm, shallow water off Jambiani beach is popular for kitesurfing2.
- Dhow trips and snorkelling: Ecofin Agency lists dhow excursions, snorkelling and kitesurfing5 among the outdoor activities, and fishing trips on local dhows3 are on offer too.
- Pottery: the Women Pottery Group, a local women’s initiative, sells its pottery from a shop in the village3.
Caves near Jambiani
Jambiani has caves within easy reach, and Kuza Cave is a fresh-water swim right in the village.
| Cave | Where | Entry | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuza Cave | In Jambiani, about 5 minutes' walk along a jungle path | US$10 | Fresh-water swim; open 8:30 am to 6:30 pm daily |
| Kuumbi Caves | South of Jambiani, along a track through the bush | About US$4 | Wikivoyage suggests renting a bike to ride there |
| Swahili Cave | Near Jambiani | US$10, better paid as TSh 20,000 | A swimming spot |
Kuza Cave (operator); Wikivoyage
Kuza Cave is easy to find: coming from Stone Town or Paje, turn right at the Kuza Cave sign near Jambiani Plaza6. At Kuza Cave, children under 13 pay half price and children under 6 get in free7. Read more on swimming at Kuza Cave and its tickets.
Down the coast and inland
Day trips from Jambiani
The south of the island has enough to fill a few days out from Jambiani.
- Red colobus monkeys: head inland to Jozani Forest, home to the red colobus monkeys, now nearly extinct1. Expert Africa calls it the best place to see the island’s endemic red colobus8. See Jozani Forest walks and entry.
- Dolphins: Kizimkazi is the starting point for dolphin tours1. Tunu Beach, a hotel there, says you can spot the resident dolphins from the shore or on a morning boat trip9.
- A festival next door: neighbouring Makunduchi holds the Mwaka Kogwa New Year festival in July or August10.
For a full day on a boat, compare a Mnemba sandbank trip with the Safari Blue Zanzibar day trip.
Zanzibar: Safari Blue Lagoon Trip with Snorkeling and Lunch
Free cancellation · Pickup included
fromUS$90
See dates on GetYourGuideGuesthouses and small hotels
Where to stay in Jambiani
Belvedere doubles US$110 a night11
Jambiani suits you if you want a small guesthouse or boutique hotel rather than a big resort. These are the stays the sources name in the village:
| Stay | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Belvedere Resort | Calls itself an adults-only beachfront resort11 |
| Blue Oyster Hotel | 18 rooms12 and a sea-view restaurant |
| Garden Beach Bungalows | Thatch-roofed bungalows right on the beach3 |
| Mango Beach House | A small guesthouse with only three rooms3 |
| Sea View Lodge Boutique Hotel | On Kibigija Beach, 0.4 miles from the centre of Jambiani13 |
| Sharazad Boutique Hotel | Home of The View restaurant14 |
Belvedere Resort’s own website lists double rooms at US$110 and bungalows at US$13011 a night, with no dates given.
For more choice, compare beachfront accommodation options and rates or look at where to stay beyond Jambiani.
Village kitchens and hotel bars
Where to eat and drink in Jambiani
You can eat cheaply and slowly in the village, or pay hotel prices at restaurants that welcome outside guests.
Local beer TSh 8,000 at The View14
- Local restaurants: from north to south, Wikivoyage lists Seahorse, Kim’s Restaurant, Starfish, Scuola and Chez Hassan3. Bring patience: waits of up to 2 hours3 can be normal.
- A meal with a local family: there’s no set price, but Wikivoyage says anything above TSh 25,000–30,0003 is enough.
- Blue Oyster Restaurant & Beach Bar: open to outside visitors as well as hotel guests, serving fresh seafood, grilled beef and Swahili dishes12.
- Belvedere Resort: an à la carte restaurant with local and international dishes11.
- Bars: there are bars along the beach, and most hotel bars are open to outside visitors3.
For an idea of hotel prices, Sharazad’s menu for The View lists a local beer at TSh 8,00014 (checked October 2026). Here’s the rest of what it charges:
| At The View, Sharazad Boutique Hotel | Price |
|---|---|
| Grilled catch of the day | TSh 45,000 for 200 g14 |
| Seafood platter | TSh 150,00014 |
| Mojito | TSh 25,00014 |
| Soda | TSh 3,00014 |
| Water, small or large | TSh 2,000 or TSh 4,00014 |
Taxi or dala dala
How do you get to Jambiani from Stone Town?
Take a taxi for around US$503 (checked October 2026), or ride the dala dala if you have time and want to spend very little.
Taxi from Stone Town around US$503
| Option | Cost | Time | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | around US$503 |
Door to door |
|
| Dala dala | TSh 2,000 in 20183 |
1–1.5 hours3 |
Bus to Mwanakwerekwe, then route 3093 to Jambiani |
| Shared taxi | Booked online with Zanzibus1 |
Once you’re there, most of Jambiani can be covered on foot3, though Wikivoyage reckons renting a bicycle is worth it. A bike costs around TSh 15,0003 a day, and it’s the way Wikivoyage suggests reaching Kuumbi Caves.
Practical basics
Money, health and safety
Jambiani covers the basics, so you don’t need to head back to town for cash or a doctor.
Questions people ask
How far is Jambiani from the airport?
The airport is about 5 km south of Zanzibar City, and a taxi from Stone Town to Jambiani costs around US$50.
What is the weather like in Jambiani?
Warm all year: the islands sit near the equator, and monthly averages in Zanzibar City run between 25.1 and 28.8 °C.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons and Pexels. Authors and licences: image credits
Checked against 18 sources · last checked October 2026
- Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
- Wikipedia · checked October 2026
- Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
- Wikipedia · checked October 2026
- Ecofin Agency (news) · checked October 2026
- Kuza Cave (operator) · checked October 2026
- Kuza Cave (operator) · checked October 2026
- Expert Africa (tour company) · checked October 2026
- tunuzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
- Wikipedia · checked October 2026
- Hotel Belvedere Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
- Blue Oyster Hotel (resort) · checked October 2026
- KAYAK (booking agent) · checked October 2026
- sharazadzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
- Urban Care Clinic (operator) · checked October 2026
- GOV.UK (official) · checked October 2026
- Kuza Cave (operator) · checked October 2026
- Wikipedia · checked October 2026
Page history · last changed 21 October 2026
- First written
