Day Trips

Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Farm & Prison Island Day Trip

- Enjoy a full-day guided Zanzibar tour covering Stone Town and Prison Island, with selected options also adding the spice farm experience.
- Make the most of one day in Zanzibar with guided visits to Stone Town and Prison Island, plus hotel transfers and boat travel included.
- Your expert English-speaking guide leads the day, sharing context at each stop while you enjoy a guided walk, boat ride, and refreshments.
- In Stone Town, follow your guide through lanes, market stalls, and former palaces, including the Sultan's Palace and the slave market site.
- On Prison Island, ride across by boat to meet Aldabra giant tortoises and hear how this offshore outpost once held prisoners in the 1860s.
- Pick variants that add Prison Island and Slave Market entry, a spice farm visit with a traditional Swahili lunch, swimming time, VIP car, or a private tour option.

- Private full
-day tour with tickets
- Guided walking tour of Stone Town
- Visit to an organic spice farm
- Traditional Swahili lunch at the spice farm
- Prison Island and Slave Market tickets
- Boat trip to Prison Island
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Expert local guide in English

Tips
Non-English-speaking guides available at additional cost

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

After being picked up at your hotel, you will firstly have a walking tour of Stone Town, then you will visit an organic spice farm, and you will explore the historic Prison Island all in one day on a full-day, guided tour of Zanzibar. Meander through a labyrinth of chaotic alleyways between towering limestone houses, and interact with Aldabra tortoises.

Stone town walking tour
Start your day with a walking tour of Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City to explore historical sites, including the slave markets, bustling daily markets, charming narrow streets, and enjoy shopping later on.
The historic capital city of Zanzibar is Stone Town, renowned for its rich cultural heritage dating back to the 19th century. Reflecting a blend of Arabian, Indian, Persian, and European influences, Zanzibar was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. Relive the grander age of this port city as you stroll through the twisting streets and look at former palaces, Sultan’s Palace, and Arab mansions. You will also get an insight into the tragic history of slave trading.

Spice farm tour
After your walking tour, you will be driven to the plantation and you will be able to learn why Zanzibar is known as “Spice Island”. The Spice Tour is a highlight among excursions on Zanzibar, often dubbed the Spice Island for its renown as a global leader in producing spices like clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

More than visiting, you will also smell, touch, and even taste some of the crops grown on this Island and find out what the spices were originally used for. Spices and herbs were introduced to Zanzibar by Portuguese traders in the 16th century, who brought them from their colonies in South America and India. Embark on a guided walking tour of a spice farm, where you'll witness firsthand the cultivation of spices, herbs, and fruits. Your knowledgeable guide will detail the cultivation methods and various uses of these crops.

During the tour, immerse yourself in the aromas and flavors of spices, herbs, and tropical fruits such as coconuts, papaya, chili, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla, cardamom, cassava, cloves and lemongrass.

Following the tour, savor a traditional Swahili lunch at the farm, where you can truly appreciate the diverse culinary uses of spices.

Prison Island
Finally, take a boat ride offshore to Prison Island also called 'changuu' in swahili language. It is the home to large land tortoises that were imported from Seychelles. Also, learn about the island’s historic use as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s.
The Aldabra Giant Tortoise sanctuary is a significant draw for tourists, boasting a 200-year-old resident as its oldest. These non-indigenous, majestic creatures weigh an average of 200 kg and can live over 100 years.

You will take a boat ride offshore to Stone town. After this memorable day, our driver will drop you off back at your hotel.

What to bring

Sun protection: Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to stay protected from the strong sun.

Extra water: Carry additional drinking water if you prefer more than what is provided.

Footwear: Wear water shoes or sturdy non-slip footwear for safely getting in and out of the boat.

Additional information

Pickup point: Your driver will pick you up at your hotel reception for the tour.

Pickup timing: Be ready at your hotel reception 5 minutes before the confirmed departure time.

Shared tour minimum: The shared group tour runs only if at least 6 participants are booked.

Shared tour changes: If the minimum is not met, the guest relations coordinator will contact you to reschedule.

Shared tour pickups: On shared tours, you should expect waiting times while other guests are collected from their hotels.

Language options: Tours run with an English-speaking guide, and other languages are available at extra cost if requested.

Non-English guides: If you choose a non-English guide, you must pay the extra language fee directly to the guide.

VIP car option: If you select the VIP car tour, you will travel in a dedicated VIP vehicle.