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ZanzibarIsland tours

Our most recommended Zanzibar Island tours

Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour and Prison Island Day Tour

1. Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour and Prison Island Day Tour

Take a walking tour of Stone Town, visit an organic spice farm, and 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. Start your day with a walking tour of Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City. 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. Get an insight into the tragic history of slave trading. After your walking tour, drive to the plantation and learn why Zanzibar is known as “Spice Island”. Smell, touch, and even taste some of the crops grown on this Island and find out what the spices were originally used for. Finally, take a boat ride offshore to Prison Island, home to large land tortoises that were imported from Seychelles. Get to touch and feed these creatures living in a sanctuary. Also, learn about the island’s historic use as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s.

Zanzibar: Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip

2. Zanzibar: Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip

Discover all there is to know about sea turtles at Mnarani Aquarium in the small village of Nungwi. Get a chance to feed and swim with the turtles in their natural lagoon pond. Find out how the aquarium rehabilitates sea turtles once they have recovered any injuries caused by being caught in nets. Start your day with a pickup from your hotel in Zanzibar and be driven to the village of Nungwi on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island. Near the lighthouse, visit Mnarani Aquarium and its turtles with your guide; Mnarani means the "place of the lighthouse" in Swahili. Discover a large, natural tidal pool in the coral rock behind the beach where the turtles swim. It was initially set up to rehabilitate and study marine turtles caught in fishing nets. The project was developed to ensure that local baby turtles were also protected. Buy some seaweed from the turtles' carers to feed them or get into the pool for a closer encounter to swim with them. Learn all about the rehabilitation project and the efforts to protect local baby turtles. Gain an insight into the life cycle of turtles, their food, and more.

Zanzibar: Mnemba Island Private Snorkeling Tour with Pickup

3. Zanzibar: Mnemba Island Private Snorkeling Tour with Pickup

Hop on a private boat trip from Zanzibar to swim and snorkel at 3 of the best locations around Mnemba Island. Discover tropical marine life on the vibrant coral reef, keep an eye out for dolphins and turtles, and enjoy convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. After pickup at your hotel in Zanzibar, board your private boat to Mnemba Island, famous for the clarity of its waters and its unusually prolific and diverse corals and marine life. During your excursion, make 3 stops to snorkel using the included gear. Get the chance to see angel fish, blue spotted rays, black snappers, groupers, red tooth triggers, flounder, octopuses, leaf fish, scorpion fish, stone fish, frog fish, and lots of trevallies. As well as exploring the colorful and diverse reefs surrounding Mnemba Island, look out for dolphins and sea turtles, which can also be seen due to the deeper water nearby. Fruits and soft drinks will also be served during the tour. After your boat trip, return to your hotel in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar: Prison Island & Jozani Forest Guided Tour

4. Zanzibar: Prison Island & Jozani Forest Guided Tour

Come and experience a unique place called Prison Island and learn more about Zanzibar’s history. Prison Island gets its name from the prison built to condemn Zanzibari citizens to be isolated from the island. The prison was previously owned by an Arab to house his rebellious slaves, the prison was never actually used, and the island is now home to a tortoise sanctuary and a hotel. Prison Island is 20 minutes away from Stone Town by boat and has spectacular coral reefs for you to enjoy. Giant tortoises shuffle through the trees, with the infinite patience that old age brings. Originally thought to be from the Comoros Islands and Seychelles, some of these tortoises are thought to be over 100 years old. After the trip to the tortoise sanctuary, you´re left to explore the island. If you´re feeling active, you can follow one of the hiking trails, snorkel in the crystal clear waters in search of colourful tropical fish darting through the reef or soak up some sun on the white beach. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar Tanzania Jozani Forest is in the south of the island and is the largest area of mature forest in Zanzibar. A car will take you there, and a guide will walk you around the ancient hardwood forest and mangrove swamps. It is also home to the Red Colobus monkeys, unique to Zanzibar, with less than 2000 remaining in the world. A boardwalk around the mangrove swamp at the end of the tour and a visit to the giant turtle sanctuary is also included.

Prison Island: Private Half-Day Tour

5. Prison Island: Private Half-Day Tour

This private guided half day tour can begin any time from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Meet your well-trained guide and boatman as your board your steam-engine wooden boat. Head to the prestigious island and enjoy the 30-minute journey.  Listen to the history of the island and discover the past centuries through the historical buildings, which have served many purposes over the years including a prison, chapel, and hiding place for slaves after the abolition.  Enjoy a swim or snorkel around the colorful coral rocks and turquoise waters. Play with giant tortoises and you may take photographs with these old precious creatures. If you do not have much experience or confidence in the water, you will be provided with a life jacket. 

Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure Tour to a Local Village

6. Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure Tour to a Local Village

Meet your guide at the office of the activity provider then drive along the main road going to Pwani Majangani, for about 4 km. The tour usually stops for a few minutes at a local shop where you can buy some food to offer as a present to the village. After this small pit stop, you leave the tarmac road to ride the quad off-road through the rice fields, where your guide stops for about 15 minutes to explain the economy, culture, and habits of the villages in the middle part of the island. After this explanation, the excursion goes ahead through the environment of the island to arrive at the local village, where you'll stop for about 1 hour. Travelers will have the opportunity to stay with the children, play with them, and be in contact with the community of the village. After this first contact, your guide will offer guests local fresh fruits (Madafu, seasonal fresh fruit). Next, head to the House of Mad, a typical home in the rural village, as your guide discusses the life and culture of the Zanzibarian people. Before getting back on the quad, visit plantations of cinnamon, cloves, lemon grass, and other varieties, which are cultivated by the people of the village. You finally leave the village riding to Pwani Majangani to reach the fishermen's village. At the village, you will stop for a few minutes to explain the difference between the rural village and the community based on the coast of the Island. Following the sand road, passing through the fishermen's houses, you arrive at the beach where you will stop for a few minutes before heading back to the starting point.

From Stone Town: Private Tour to Prison Island

7. From Stone Town: Private Tour to Prison Island

Visit Prison Island on a private 3-hour tour, and discover the rich history and beautiful natural surroundings of this location. Meet your guide in Zanzibar, or select the option including hotel pickup, then enjoy the ride to the island on a traditional dhow. Learn how this small island gained its name and explore the place that is now home to more than 50 tortoises, some over 100 years old.   Feed the tortoises and take up-close pictures with them, as you keep a look out for the peacocks and antelope that also live there. After discovering the island and its history, take the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters off the coast amongst tropical fish and colorful coral. At the end of your tour, return to Zanzibar, where you’ll be dropped off in the city center, or at your hotel.

Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank

8. Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank

Your Zanzibar adventure begins with a visit to Prison Island, purchased in 1893 by Lloyd Mathews, the British First Minister of Zanzibar at the time. Mathews constructed a prison complex on the island which is still visible today, however no prisoners were ever housed on the island and instead it became a quarantine station for yellow fever sufferers. On the island, spend some time exploring the area and discover the collection of over 50 tortoises that live here, some of which are more than 100 years old. Learn about why the tortoises call the island their home, as well as taking photos and feeding them too. The island is also home to peacocks and small antelope too. Once you’ve explored the island, enjoy the opportunity to cool off from the hot weather with a refreshing dip in the surrounding crystal clear waters. Spend some time snorkeling in the water just off the island and search for colorful tropical fish and vibrant coral reef. After you’ve worked up an appetite from swimming, relax on the sandbank with a delicious lunch including a seafood BBQ, Swahili cuisine, cheese, tropical fruit, and more.

Zanzibar: Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson

9. Zanzibar: Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson

Visit an organic spice farm on this 3-hour guided tour to learn about one of Zanzibar’s most popular industries: spices. Discover how the islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, and more. See why the Zanzibar Archipelago, together with Tanzania's Mafia Island, is sometimes called the "Spice Islands".   When you arrive, the spice farm guide will describe how the spices are grown and used as medication and flavor in dishes. See spices like vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg, and many more. You’ll be able to touch, smell, and taste the spices and herbs directly from plants—you’ve never smelled spices as fresh as these before. Along with these fragrant plants, there will also be some fresh tropical fruits to see and taste.     Later, take the opportunity to join a cassava leaf harvest, make coconut milk, and practice some cooking. Then, a coconut tree climber will pick some fresh young coconut fruits for you to try. End the trip with lunch at the spice farm and the opportunity to purchase spices from the shop.

Zanzibar: Changuu Island and Stone Town Tour with Lunch

10. Zanzibar: Changuu Island and Stone Town Tour with Lunch

The tour begins with a private boat trip to Changuu Island, also known as Prison Island or Turtle Island. The island earned its name after it was purchased in 1893 by the British First Minister of Zanzibar who constructed a prison complex here. Although no prisoners were ever housed on the island, it was eventually used as a quarantine station for yellow fever sufferers, and later became home to more than 50 tortoises who still live there today. On the island, enjoy some free time to explore the beauty of this wild paradise, and get up close to the tortoises that roam freely. Some of the tortoises here are more than 100 years old, and you can even get close enough to feed them and take photos. You can also find peacocks and antelope on the island, then cool off in the crystal clear waters during a snorkel session in search of marine life, colorful fish, and coral reef. After your visit to Changuu Island, head towards one of the most historically prominent and artistic destinations in East Africa, Stone Town. Upon arrival, admire the fascinating architecture of the town, which dates back to the 19th century, and reflects the diverse influences of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European cultures. Learn about how the town earned its UNESCO World Heritage status, and then visit the Old Slave Market and the City Market. Here you can shop for almost anything whilst soaking up the authentic East African atmosphere and meeting the locals. Once you’ve wandered through the market it’s time to visit the Palace Museum, the local House of Wonder, and of course Freddie Mercury’s former home. There’s also time for a trip to the Peace Memorial and the Natural History Museum before ending the tour with a delicious local lunch at a traditional restaurant.

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Frequently asked questions about Zanzibar Island tours

What are other things to do than Island tours that are worth visiting in Zanzibar?

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Other Sightseeing Options in Zanzibar

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What people are saying about Zanzibar

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 8 reviews

This was our first day in Zanzibar!! A must do if you really want to see the culture and history at stone town . Lots to see and shop . They are a bit pricey though. The boat ride to Changu island was really refreshing and so was seeing the prison island and giant tortoises ! Although we got late and missed the chance to go snorkeling though it was included in the package out guide showed quite a bit and was so so friendly and considerate when we got tired .

Customer service was great for the little hiccups I had. Boat driver was amazing. Guide was good and nice. At the end i was ready to not be haggled anymore after the boat ride to do other things in very touristy spots. Overall great experience with get your guide and will use it again.

Hyggelige og behjelpelige folk. Spesielt fornøyd med vår guide som kun hadde jobbet knapt en måned. Anbefales å ta denne aktiviteten tidlig på dagen slik som vi gjorde. Bra sammensatt og man opplevde mye på kun 3 timer! Marta og Ingrid.

This activity was the highlight of our trip. We really enjoyed it. Our guide was great. I recommend this tour it is an eye-opener. A big Thank you to our guide, Laura and Jo

Very nice activity. Great guide, her name is Aziza and driver Jumy.