Kizimkazi Hub

Location Guide for Alaïa Guests

Kizimkazi is a traditional fishing village on Zanzibar’s southern coast and one of the best spots in East Africa to experience wild dolphin encounters, known for its dolphin pods, calm turquoise waters, and rich marine life. For guests staying at Alaïa Beach Resort in Paje, Kizimkazi is approximately 45 minutes south by road and forms the departure point for the resort’s coordinated dolphin encounter excursion. Contact the resort activities team to arrange your visit.

Experiences Near Kizimkazi Hub

Alaïa Beach Resort coordinates the Kizimkazi dolphin encounter as part of the island excursion programme, and can combine it with south coast stops as part of a full-day southern Zanzibar excursion. Here are the experiences connected to this destination:

About Kizimkazi Hub

Zanzibar’s warm Indian Ocean attracts pods of bottlenose and humpback dolphins year-round in the waters around Kizimkazi, a small village on the island’s south coast where locals have been sharing these encounters with visitors for decades. Kizimkazi is also home to the Kizimkazi Dimbani Mosque, considered one of the oldest Islamic buildings in East Africa, dating back to the 12th century, with ancient inscriptions, Persian-Arabic architecture, and coral stone walls that tell stories of Zanzibar’s early trade with Arabia and Persia.

Who This Location Suits

Kizimkazi suits guests with a specific interest in marine wildlife encounters, particularly those who want to observe or swim near wild dolphins in an ethically managed setting.

Nearby Areas to Explore

Why Visit Kizimkazi Hub with Alaïa Beach Resort

The resort coordinates dolphin tours exclusively through operators who follow responsible marine wildlife guidelines, with early morning transport from Paje managed as part of the arrangement. Guests returning from the dolphin tour in the late morning have the option to continue south to Jambiani or Makunduchi before heading back, or to return directly to the resort. Kaio at Alaïa Beach Resort is open from 7:30 AM to 10 PM for guests arriving back in time for lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

1- Where is Kizimkazi in Zanzibar?

Kizimkazi is a traditional fishing village located on the southern coast of Zanzibar, approximately 45 minutes south of Paje by road.

2- What is Kizimkazi known for?

Kizimkazi is known as Zanzibar’s primary location for wild dolphin encounters, with pods of bottlenose and humpback dolphins present in the waters year-round. The village is also home to one of the oldest mosques in East Africa.

3- What dolphins can be seen at Kizimkazi?

Kizimkazi is home to Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and humpback dolphins, which are regularly sighted in the calm turquoise waters off the village’s southern shore.

4- What time do dolphin tours depart from Kizimkazi?

Dolphin tours at Kizimkazi depart between 5:30 and 6:00 AM for the best visibility, calmest water, and highest dolphin activity. The resort team coordinates early morning transport from Paje to match the departure time.

5- Is it possible to swim with the dolphins at Kizimkazi?

Where conditions and dolphin behavior allow, guests may enter the water to snorkel near the pod. Interactions are always on the dolphins’ terms, with no chasing, touching, or feeding permitted.

6- How do I arrange the Kizimkazi dolphin tour from Alaïa?

Contact the Alaïa Beach Resort activities team, or see the Kizimkazi Dolphin Encounter page for full details on the guided excursion including inclusions and booking.