Paje is a village on the

Tanzania Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to t ...

n island of

Unguja Unguja (also referred to as "Zanzibar Island" or simply "Zanzibar", in – as mentioned in The ''Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'') is the largest and most populated island of the Zanzibar archipelago, in Tanzania. History Geography Unguja is ...

, part of

Zanzibar Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. It is located in the Indian Ocean, and consists of many small Island, islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. ...

. It is located on the southeast coast between the villages of Bwejuu and

Jambiani Jambiani is a group of villages on the Tanzanian island of Unguja, part of Zanzibar. It is located on the southeast coast between Paje, Zanzibar, Paje and Makunduchi. Jambiani has a strong seaweed culture with many farms dotting the coastline and e ...

. The lagoon is used to learn

kiteboarding Kiteboarding or kitesurfing is a sport that involves using wind power with a large power kite to pull a rider across a water, land, snow, sand, or other surface. It combines the aspects of paragliding, surfing, windsurfing, skateboarding, snow ...

, since a very consistent side-onshore wind is blowing most of the year, the lagoon is shallow during low tide and has a sandy bottom, and the reef protects the lagoon from waves. In fact, since 2019, Paje has had an explosion from a tourist point of view that has made it the hub for the southeast of Zanzibar as it offers many hotels, restaurants and bars often newly opened. Another aspect that contributes to the growth of the town is kitesurfing, given the strong wind that often blows on the beach all year round with the consequent opening of many schools. Another feature of the place is the tide, with big changes even on the same day on the beach which is always better to check in advance.

How to Get There

From Zanzibar City (or more commonly called Stone Town) Paje is about 35km, by taxi the cost is about $ 50 each way and it takes typically 1 hour, both from any hotel and from the port or airport. To save money you can take the local bus (daladala) with numbers 309 and 340, but these leave when full from outside the city center, precisely from Mwanakwerekwe bus stop. The cost is 2,000 tsh per person plus' 2,000 for each piece of luggage that goes into the hold. Time about 1 hour and reckless driving most of the time.

Eating and drinking

Nowadays Paje is constantly expanding. In fact, there are many hotels, restaurants and bars of all kinds. More precisely, on the beach there are hotels with attached restaurants on the beach, with a more European atmosphere than in the village, where there are more places with local tradition. The difference between the two parts is very marked, both in prices and in the quality of services, cleanliness etc. 1- Oxygen Restaurant/Hotel. Often considered one of the best restaurants on the entire island, it serves mainly fresh fish (but not only), excellent cocktails and an elevated view of the coast. Average prices and located in the middle of Paje beach. 2- Mr. Kahawa. Excellent coffees and relaxed atmosphere, especially suitable for those who work remotely and those who prefer a more vegetarian or light cuisine. Average prices. 3- Africana BBQ. Local pub located in the village with a mix of tourists and locals. Low prices and local cuisine. Open 24 hours everyday.

References

Villages in Zanzibar {{Zanzibar-geo-stub