There are certain trips in life that stay with you. Not because of the distance travelled, but because of the way a place gets under your skin. My ten-week stay in Zanzibar during the spring and summer of 2025 was exactly that. What began as a chance to spend time with my girlfriend Maja while she worked on a hotel construction project turned into one of the most eye-opening photography adventures I’ve ever had.
We arrived right in the middle of the rainy season. From the Midlands in the UK to our small accommodation in the heart of Paje, the door-to-door journey took twenty-two hours. By the time we stepped out of the taxi and into the humid island air, the sound of distant waves and the sight of palm trees bending in the wind made the long journey worth it.
Arriving in Paje – First Impressions of the Island
Paje sits on the south-east coast of Zanzibar, and it doesn’t take long to understand why it’s considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. White sand that looks almost too bright, and the Indian Ocean shifting from pale blue to deep turquoise depending on the weather.
Even in the rain, it’s stunning. Especially in the rain.
Our place was tucked inside Paje Village rather than along the beachfront hotels. That meant stepping out into everyday island life the second we opened our garden gate. Chickens wandering around like they owned the place. Children running between the side streets. Locals sitting outside their homes, chatting or simply watching the day unfold at its own pace. And always—always—keeping an ear out for tuk-tuks and motorbikes tearing down the dirt roads behind you.
Week One – Settling In and Finding My Flow
The first week was slow on purpose. New country. New culture. New rhythm. I spent that time getting familiar with the village and picking up the absolute basics of Swahili, enough to get by without feeling like a clueless tourist.
With the storms rolling in each afternoon, there was no shortage of dramatic scenes to capture. Heavy rainfall sweeping across the village. Fishermen knee deep in the Indian Ocean casting nets for tonight’s dinner. Puddles reflecting the palm trees and rooftops.
Inside the village, the architecture became its own quiet project. The makuti roofs, woven palm leaves layered by hand, are endlessly photogenic. So are banana leaves, coconut palms, and the textured patterns that appear everywhere once you start noticing them.
When the rain eased for an hour or two, I found myself on the beach trying to make the most of the brief colour in the sky. Sunset in the rainy season is unpredictable but when the clouds part, the light is unreal.
Life on Paje Beach
Paje Beach isn’t just a beach; it’s a hub of trades and characters.
You can expect to see:
- Fishermen hauling their boats out at sunrise
- Kitesurfers flying across the water as soon as the wind picks up
- Sailing boats being pushed into the shallows for ocean tours
- Crabs emerging by the dozen as the sun goes down
- Maasai men in traditional red and black garments selling souvenirs or guiding visitors
Photographing here feels like documenting five different worlds in one place.
Photographing Wildlife with the Sigma 150-600mm
Bringing my Sigma 150-600mm DG DN Sports lens turned out to be one of the best decisions I made for this trip. Without it, I would’ve missed so much.
In Paje alone I was able to capture:
- Red Colobus monkeys eating, playing, and leaping between trees – Click to read more
- Hermit crabs racing across the beach at dusk
- Tiny shorebirds darting in and out of the incoming tide
- Textures on shells, coral, driftwood and seaweed glowing in golden hour
That lens genuinely made the island feel bigger. Every day brought something new within reach.
Click here to read my review of the Sigma 150-600mm DG DN Sports Lens
Visiting Maalum Cave
One of our first little adventures outside of Paje was Maalum Cave. A 10–15 minute tuk-tuk ride, and a completely different world.
We didn’t know it was a “pay to enter” attraction. Luckily the staff were understanding, especially as it was the quiet season. We were shown through changing rooms, told about optional snorkelling gear, and then led to the cave itself.
The pool inside is almost unreal. Bright blue water lit naturally from above, with stillness that feels miles away from the busy village. Perfect for photos, videos, or just switching off. There’s a seating area carved into the stone where you can dry off and listen to the echo of the cave. It’s easily one of the most peaceful spots on the island.
Village Football – A Photographers Dream
It didn’t take long to learn that almost every village in Zanzibar has its own football team. Matches happen through the week, and the sidelines fill with hundreds of people. Kids, parents, elders—everyone shows up.
For photography, this was paradise:
- fast action on sand pitches
- players covered in dust and sweat
- crowd reactions
- moments of pure athleticism
Some of my favourite images from the trip came from these matches.
A Trip to The Rock in Pingwe
The Rock is one of Zanzibar’s most iconic landmarks. A restaurant perched on a natural rock just off the coast in Pingwe. You walk to it at low tide and take a boat when the water rises.
Getting there was simple. Getting back… not so much.
After realising the taxi drivers were quoting “tourist prices”, we tried our luck on the main road. When no tuk-tuks passed, a tipper truck pulled over and offered us a lift. Completely unexpected, perfectly safe, and honestly one of those travel moments we’ll talk about for years. We even saw the same truck driver the next day—he beeped, waved and carried on.
Not a recommendation to hitch-hike, just a bit of an experience.
Exploring Zanzibar by Motorcycle
With so many motorcycle options for hire, we grabbed a Honda XR250 and rode south. Through Jambiani, Makunduchi, and around the Muyuni Forest. The rainy season had turned some tracks into rivers, but the Honda handled everything.
Eventually we reached Mtende Village and the Monkey Mountain Lodge. The view from there is unbelievable. 360 degrees over the coastline, forest, Baobab trees, and even a glimpse of Dar es Salaam far on the horizon.
The next day, Maja had work, so I took the bike exploring again. This time deeper into the forest until the floods made it impossible to continue.
Finding the Zanzibar Mangroves
On the way back towards Paje I took a turn through Bwejuu and eventually found a tiny village named Ukongoroni. At the end of the track was the entrance to one of the mangrove areas that protect the shoreline.
A group of kids gathered, curious about the bike and camera. I asked if I could take a photo of them. They agreed instantly. As soon as the camera came up, they dropped the smiles. The result? A brilliantly moody portrait that sums up so much of the island’s character.
More Time on Paje Beach
As the weeks passed, the tourists returned. The beach filled with life again. Paddle boarders, kite surfers, and locals preparing boats for trips along the coast. Some days I spent hours capturing the small moments.
I also had the chance to work with a couple of local businesses:
- Voodoo PPL Tattoo Shop at Bento
- Chokoro House Boutique Hotel – Click here to see project
Both projects were creative, relaxed, and a nice break from wandering with the long lens.
A Final Trip to Stone Town
Before heading home, we spent a few days in Stone Town and stayed at the Mizingani Seafront Hotel. Waking up to the old harbour, hearing the early morning call to prayer. It felt like stepping into a different era.
The architecture here is something else. A blend of African, Arab, Indian, Persian and European influence. Every single street is photogenic.
Of course, we visited Freddie Mercury’s childhood home. He lived in Stone Town until the age of seventeen, before a violent uprising forced families—including his—to flee. That part of history hits harder when you’re stood outside the building.
Every corner of Stone Town gives you something to photograph. Doorways, market stalls, boats, balconies, kids playing football in alleyways. You could shoot for weeks.
Saying Goodbye to Zanzibar
Leaving Zanzibar felt wrong. Maja and I both said it—we could live here. Ten weeks went by far too quickly, and it didn’t feel like we were finished with the island. Not even close.
As a photographer, Zanzibar gave me:
- wildlife
- landscapes
- street photography
- portraits
- architecture
- action scenes
- textures and colours you simply don’t get in the UK
My biggest recommendation for photographers visiting the island?
Take a variety of lenses.
Don’t travel all that distance only to leave your favourite lens on a shelf at home. The Sigma 150-600mm, the primes, the wide angles—they all got used. And I left with zero regrets and a hard drive full of moments I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life.
We’ll be back. No doubt about it.
