Kizimkazi tour: Red Colobus, sea turtles, five stops

Sea turtles glide past you in crystal water inside a cave off Kizimkazi Beach.

A full-day guided tour of Kizimkazi and surrounding Zanzibar sites with private transport, snorkeling equipment and a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language. You spend an hour in Jozani Forest watching Red Colobus monkeys, explore Kuza Cave as a cultural center, swim with sea turtles at Salaam Cave near Kizimkazi, eat fresh seafood at The Rock Restaurant, and finish on Paje Beach at sunset. The tour runs eight hours and includes hotel pickup, bottled water and all fees. Lunch at the restaurant is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore nature, culture, beach, and dining

• Visit Jozani Forest for wildlife
• Explore Kuza Cave and culture
• Relax at Paje Beach and watch sunset
• Dine at The Rock Restaurant
• Swim with sea turtles in Salaam Cave

The experience

Can you fit five distinct Zanzibar stops into a single day without rushing? This tour chains them together with private transport and a guide who speaks your language. You start at Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, where an hour in the forest puts you face-to-face with Red Colobus monkeys and lets the guide explain the ecosystem and medicinal plants. From there you move to Kuza Cave, which doubles as a cultural center: you swim in clear water and see local artifacts and a timeline of Swahili history that traces human origins in East Africa.

The afternoon shifts to the beaches. Paje Beach is quiet, with white sand and calm water where you can feel the serenity before the day ends in a sunset view. Between the forest and the beaches sits The Rock Restaurant, built on a rock formation and famous for fresh Swahili seafood: lobster, calamari, octopus, crabs, shrimp and fish of the day are all on the menu. The final stop is Salaam Cave, just off Kizimkazi Beach, where you enter the water to swim alongside sea turtles in a sheltered cove. Snorkeling gear is included, so you arrive ready to go in.

The van is air-conditioned and carries WiFi. Bottled water comes with you throughout the day. Your guide handles all the logistics and entrance fees. Pickup happens from your hotel, and the whole outing takes eight hours. Children from age one are welcome, and the tour is wheelchair accessible, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• The tour includes private air-conditioned transport with WiFi and bottled water.
• snorkeling gear for Salaam Cave.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a live guide in your chosen language.
• and all park entrance fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (25 to 60 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (15 to 20 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Sandies Tours & Travel

Is this one for you?The eight-hour pace means an early start and a full day on your feet or in the water, so it suits travelers with the stamina for a packed itinerary and comfort moving between five different sites. If you prefer a slower rhythm or want to linger at one beach, a shorter, single-site tour might fit better.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 20 years); Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Red Colobus monkeys like at Jozani Forest?

Red Colobus monkeys live in the forest canopy and are the main draw of the Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park. Your guide shows you where to spot them and explains their role in the delicate ecosystem, along with the medicinal properties of the plants around them.

Can I really swim with sea turtles at Salaam Cave?

Yes. Salaam Cave sits in shallow, clear water just off Kizimkazi Beach, and sea turtles move through the cove regularly. Snorkeling gear is provided, and the water is calm enough for first-time snorkelers to feel comfortable entering.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but you eat at The Rock Restaurant, where the menu features fresh Swahili seafood like lobster, calamari, octopus and fish of the day. You order and pay separately there.

How long does the tour take, and when does it start?

The full tour runs eight hours. Pickup happens from your hotel at a time arranged with the operator, and the day ends on Paje Beach as the sun sets.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, WiFi on board, and all park fees and taxes are included. You pay separately for lunch at The Rock Restaurant.