Paje

Paje is a village in Zanzibar in Tanzania. It is on the east coast of Zanzibar (or actually Unguga) island.

Paje Halal Explorer

Paje is a village of roughly 500 people on the coast of Zanzibar. It has good conditions for kitesurfing and retains an authentic and chilled-out beach atmosphere (fewer beach boys and merchants on the beach). Paje is experiencing a boom in tourism as more tourists come to kitesurf (the first kitesurfing school was built in 2012). Despite this, Paje is extremely safe and one can appreciate Zanzibar's natural beauty by walking on the beach at midnight in total safety.

Paje's beach can be tide-dependent - at low tide, one may need to walk almost a kilometer to reach the water, while at high tide the beach may disappear in places. These extremes usually only happen once a month, dependent on the moon.

There is an ATM in Paje since 2023, operated by Barclays PLC, near the petrol station. Only the largest hotels/restaurants accept credit cards.

Travel to Paje

Taking a shuttle van from airport takes 1 hour and costs roughly US$60. Just when you leave airport, taxi or shuttle van will cost much less - around US$40. The local bus transportation (named dala-dala) is much cheaper - Tsh 1500, and not much slower, but surely less comfortable. Use a taxi or shuttle van and you can enjoy sightseeing and air condition, but use dala-dala, if you want to chat with local people and get many interesting suggestions for trips or destination!

As Paje is a village more than 5km long, it is better to tell the driver the name of hotel where you plan to stay or a closer direction. If you have not decided for a certain accommodation yet, do not rely on drivers decision - he will drive directly to most expensive hotel. Or hop off on the crossroad in Paje (actually a roundabout with a big red supermarket nearby) and you can walk only about 100 m to the beach.

Get Around

The village can be explored by foot. The village is widespread from about 1 kilometers south (Bwejuu) on 5km strip to the south (Jambiani). You can drive here from Stone Town in 30-40 minutes by vehicle or motorbike, or take dala-dala Nr. 309. The whole village can be visited by foot, or you can make a visit around by bicycle or by taxi (around US$1.30 per person sharing). Most roads in Paje are not suitable for cars, as they are only dusty tracks actually.

What to See

Sleepy fishermens village is situated on a beautiful strip of seashore. It is an important crossroad - primary street from Stone Town (direction Kitogani) is divided in two direction directly in Paje. Either you can drive to the north to Bwejuu (turn left) or continue to the south (turn right) to Jambiani and Makunduchi. You can find small shops and two supermarkets near this cross road. Further inside the village you can find more small shops, where you can buy souvenirs, especially vivid coloured paintings in Zanzibarian style and various coconut products.

Paje is built in traditional swahili style, so you can make short trips through long dusty "streets" and enjoy local cordial atmosphere. You will meet dozens of children asking for "caramella" (sweets) or biscuits. The local residents usually spend the whole day in their usual work - gathering seaweed, making ropes of coconut fibers or repairing or building boats (dhows). If you want to take photos, please be kind and ask before you take a shoot. For many local residents this is a pleasant source of income.

As Paje is famous kitesurfing centre, most Muslims are either keen on kitesurfing here or they have possibility to learn basics of this popular sport. Windy weather conditions are not only good for kitesurfing, but also a pleasant natural air conditioning. Zanzibar weather as strongly influenced by monsoons, so tourist are advised to watch weather forecast before planning their trip!

Evenings on shore of Paje are dedicated to football. Local boys, men, and tourists meet every evening for serious game. And for a couple of soft-drinks for all participants right after the match, regardless of goals or winners.

If lazy atmosphere of Paje makes you sick, you can make long trips along the shore - in 1 hour you can reach Jambiani or Bwejuu (but hot sun makes you tired in 10 minutes, so be aware of sunburning!) If you want to make serious trip, you can rent a bike, scooter or motorcycle - rental offices are in many resorts or ask agents (local residents who enjoy offering ANY service, from luggage transport through fishing trips to snorkeling and dolphin safaris - as their only knowledge is poor English, but as long as they gain your interest and they "subcontract" other local people to these services for modest budget with large profit).

A traditional dancing performance is held at the Cristal Resort most Tuesday nights. Ndame Beach Lodge has a masai show every Friday night. Booking is crucial.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Paje

Learn kiteboarding at one of the 7 kiteboarding schools - compare prices, all schools are less than 1 kilometers apart from each other.

Swim in the lukewarm water when the tide is in, or walk to the coral reef (be careful of incoming tide, watch local residents for right timing)

Scuba diving is also feasible in Paje - try Buccaneer Diving.

Make a trip to the famous The Rock restaurant in Michamvi (~Tsh 40,000 return taxi trip, or rent a Vespa for US$25/day). Best combined with Blue Lagoon Snorkelling trip.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Paje

In the middle of the beach is stalls selling paintings by local artists.

Near the main T-junction is a shop (Supa Duka) selling a small selection of and food. Contrary to all the signs and they do not accept credit cards.

Halal Restaurants in Paje

There are a number of hotels and restaurants with decent meals starting at US$7. Local food starting at s$5, Pasta and pizza US$5-10, but local restaurants tend to prepare all meals in less European and more African way

Generally, Muslims are advised to taste local Zanzibarian meals, as these are usually much more tasty and price is lower than for "European" meals.

Zanzibar cuisine is one of the best in the whole African territory. You can trace Indian, Arabic and African roots in most dishes. Most meals are prepared with dozens of local spices, but the results are not too spicy and therefore suitable also for small children or people with health issues.

In most hotels you can find small restaurants, with almost the same offer consisting of seafood, local dishes, but always including "tourist menu", Pasta. Pizzas, Chicken or lamb dishes. Special daily menu (mostly fish) is written on the chalkboards in front of them and prepared for budget price. Spectrum of these meals depend on what fishermen have caught on that day.

If you prefer traditional European meals, you should expect a little different taste, as local cooks had never tasted these meals as prepared from European cooks.

If you walk down the beach (north to south, from Paje to Jambiani), you can find many small bars, starting with Twisted Palms, Ndame Beach Lodge, Jambo Beach Bungalows, Dhow Inn, Paje by Night, Teddys Place, Kilima Kidogo, etc.

Local bars are open usually 10AM Monday - 10PM. During night parties, sleepy bars change to noisy places crowded with tourist. Ones friendly refreshing facility can change to disturbing problems (Teddy's place holds a party most Wednesday nights. Unfortunately the loud music may keep guests of nearby lodges awake.)

Regular parties:

Sundays at Vuvuzela
Wednesdays at New Teddy's Place
Thursdays at Demani Lodge
Fridays at Jambo Beach Bungalows
monthly themed parties at Paje by Night

Alcoholic beverages

These bars offer African organic juice (mostly Kilimanjaro or Safari and the latter is stronger and the former weaker), some and variety of local and imported distillates ( vodka, etc.) Prices are not high (Tsh 4000-5000 for a Cola). Alcoholic beverages can cause serious problems when combined with direct sun and high temperatures so it is advised to drink also a lot of non-alcoholic drinks.

Non-alcoholic drinks

Freshly squeeze juices are a must. Pineapple, orange or papaya juices are hundred times better than the best juice in Europe or the USA. After your first couple of soft-drinks, you will never drink juice in your country without remembering what you drank in Zanzibar!

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Paje

Paje - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Paje, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Paje. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Paje and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Paje. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Paje. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPaje: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Paje.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Paje: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Paje, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Paje.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Paje, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Paje, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Paje and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Paje, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Paje, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Paje without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Paje is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Paje.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Paje is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Paje, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Paje Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Summer Dream Lodge Checkout: 11:30 - This Dutch-owned hotel is located about 2 minutes off of the beach and is a good choice if you are looking for a cheaper, quieter hotel. You can walk to the kite schools in about 20 minutes. Rooms are pretty basic (nets & fan) but the beds are enormous. Owner is very helpful. Restaurant and rooms are a good value - the rates in low season with negotiation: Tsh 10,000-16,000 for a meal, rooms around US$25 incl Wi-Fi and breakfast (dorms also available)

White Beach Hotel Zanzibar | Bwejuu East Coast Bwejuu ☎ +255772279353 - US$25 per person, including breakfast and taxes Check-in: Any time / Check-out: 10AM - 6 bungalows near the beach. The place is very relaxed and comfortable.

Ndame Beach Lodge - Paje Ndame Village - ☎ +255777886611 Check-in: anytime / Check-out: 10AM US$40-50 per person - 14 bungalows with 31 rooms within a tropical garden. Different rooms (single, twin, double, triple, family). Breakfast included in rate, as is free coffee and tea all day long and Wifi.

Hakuna Majiwe Beach Lodge Zanzibar - ☎ +255 777 454 505 - The hotel consists of 20 rooms in beach bungalows, facing the ocean. The restaurant, facing the ocean, is situated under a large thatched roof which also houses the lounge and café. Cuisine is a blend of Italian and African food.

Paje

From Halal Explorer

Contents