In addition to the beaches, this image gallery features photos of local life in Zanzibar. Towns & villages featured: Kizimkazi, Paje, Nungwi, Michamwi, and Mkokotoni.
Kizimkazi
Mkokotoni is a village with no tourists or tourist facilities. We were there during the elections. When this picture was taken, everybody collectively went to Stone Town to vote. So it was only the cows and us.
Zanzibar is famous for its tourist resorts. But if you go to the small street, just behind any of the resorts, you’ll find ‘Real Africa.’
When you Google Zanzibar, all you can see are photos of turquoise beaches and fancy resorts. It is actually a real place where people live real lives.
Famous African kids’ game – pushing the wheel. It can also be done with a tire.
Interested in my Stories from traveling in Africa? You may wanna check out some posts on Togo or Senegal.
Young girls are required to wear Muslim attire from a very early age.
Since Mkokotoni doesn’t have any type of accommodation facilities, we met this local and spent the night in his place for $5
This is not an exhibition or an outdoor museum. Those are regular, fully functioning local boats
The interior of public transport in Zanzibar – these benches frequently get packed
Super authentic Mkokotoni, only 22 km from very touristy Nungwi
Seven children per family is a standard
Kizimkazi is famous for dolphin watching
You can see these dolphins swimming underwater in my short Freediving Video on YouTube.
Young girls net fishing… not for fun though. It’s part of their daily duties.
If you love tropical islands, you may wanna check out my photos from Sao Tome, an incredibly green and authentic West African island.
Kizimkazi beach – in reality, colors are even better!
It’s not like beaches are full of cows… I just like to take a photo if I run into them.
For the locals, the beach is not the place for swimming, snorkeling, or surfing. It is the place for work. Something like ocean farmland: fishing, cleaning the fish, pulling the coconut strings, softening the octopus… They work here all day.
Want some more photos of tropical African villages? I don’t blame you. Check out my photos from Sierra Leone
