Kizimkazi, also known as Kizimkazi Mkunguni/Kizimkazi Mtendeni, is a remarkable fishing village situated along the Southern Coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania, in East Africa.
Initially, Kizimkazi was a walled city located 3 miles southeast of the Kizimkazi Mosque, an area also known as Kizimkazi Dimbani.
Today, Kizimkazi is undoubtedly the main tourist attraction, drawing most holidaymakers for boat safari experiences.
Most tourists visit Kizimkazi primarily to watch the bottle-nose dolphins and have the opportunity to swim close to them.
A Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour can be mesmerizing and typically takes half a day.
Dolphin Tours are conducted in Kizimkazi Fishing Village, on the South Coast of Zanzibar.
The Kizimkazi Fishing Village is host to numerous schools of bottle-nosed dolphins and humpback dolphins.
These dolphins can easily be spotted during the Dolphin Tour, and lucky holidaymakers may even get to play with them for a few hours.
Dolphins in Kizimkazi Fishing Village thrive just a few meters off the beach, making it a famous tourist site, especially due to its iconic historical site, the Old Mosque, dating back to the 12th Century.
Today, Kizimkazi is among the most famous sites where dolphins can be sighted by holidaymakers on Zanzibar holiday safaris.
What makes Kizimkazi a favorite dolphin spot for holidaymakers is its location in an area with shallow coastal waters, attracting dolphins due to abundant food.
They also prefer this area for socializing, resting, and nursing their calves.
A large number of bottle-nose dolphins inhabit this area throughout the year.
In addition to the bottle-nose dolphins, the shyer humpback dolphins can also be spotted here.
Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour is most enjoyable in the early morning when the water is cooler, as in the afternoon, the water becomes warmer, causing dolphins to dive deeper to escape the sun’s heat.
Afternoon Kizimkazi Dolphin Tours can also be arranged; however, holidaymakers have a lower chance of spotting dolphins during this time.
This is also when many boats are present at the dolphin sites, potentially scaring away the dolphins.
It should be noted that while dolphin-spotting is a popular experience, holidaymakers aren’t guaranteed a 100% sighting.
Swimming with dolphins is a rare occurrence, and like other wildlife, sighting dolphins requires patience and time, as they roam freely in their natural habitat, rather than being enclosed in a cage or zoo.
How long does a Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour take?
A Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour is an ultimate water spot experience that takes holidaymakers 2-3 hours.
In addition to dolphin exploration, there is also an option to tour the 12th-century mosque, East Africa’s earliest evidence of Islam, making it a preferred cultural and historical destination.
It’s also possible to combine your Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour with a Jozani Forest expedition.
To have the most enjoyable dolphin trip, we encourage you to wear a swimming costume, waterproof sandals, carry sunscreen, and other essentials.
What should you expect?
The Dolphin adventure begins from Kizimkazi Fishing Village.
Fishermen can be seen along the shores, and while on a boat, you can enjoy great views of the surrounding areas.
Then, you can snorkel to see some dolphins.
Your adventure commences early in the morning and lasts for 2-3 hours.
Persons below 15 years can only be permitted to participate in a Dolphin experience/adventure if accompanied by an adult.
The Dolphin trip includes fees for an experienced professional guide, entry fees, snorkeling gear, boat, and other essentials but excludes airport taxes, visa fees, and medical insurance.
