Tanzania · PRISON ISLAND TOURS IN ZANZIBAR CITY
Every trip has one spare day too few. These 15 prison island tours in Zanzibar City justify the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes rather than an evening.
Spend 6 to 9 hours with an English-speaking guide visiting Stone Town, an organic spice farm, and Prison Island. Expect hands-on spice tasting, a Swahili lunch, a fast boat ride, and Aldabra tortoises. Guides such as Hassan, Ibrahim, and James are praised for clear local stories.
“Great way to experience The culture activities of Zanzibar! Highly recommend”
Visit Prison Island and its giant Seychelles tortoises, walk Stone Town with guides such as Abdul, Isaac, or Feisal, then taste and smell Zanzibar’s spices at a working farm. Hotel transfers, boat transport, entry fees where selected, and a local lunch are included.
“Very pleasant day full of exciting activities. Our guide had extraordinary knowledge of many landmarks and taught us a lot about Zanzibar's history. We saw many interesting places, giant tortoises, spice farm (really funny and interesting experience) and we bought souvenirs and spices in Stone Town at Darajani bazaar.”
You’ll visit a working spice farm, eat traditional Swahili food, walk Stone Town’s old lanes and take a boat to Prison Island. Guides such as Fahad, Ali, Mazi and Haji explain the island’s plants, trade and past. Expect a full, hot day with some wet boat boarding.
“Fahad is a very good guide. He was so friendly and social. The trip was very interesting. He talks in detail about the history of stone town.”
Spend about eight hours with a private guide and driver exploring Stone Town, Changuu, and Jambo Spice Farm. Expect historic buildings, giant tortoises, a boat ride with loaner snorkeling gear, tropical fruit tasting, and spice demonstrations. Guides may include Amina, Ibrahim, Ali, or Amira.
“Great tour! Had a great time learning about the history of Zanzibar. Take extra cash to tip your local guides and driver”
Join guides such as Milano or Sangi for a full-day Zanzibar outing to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. Meet Aldabra giant tortoises, snorkel from a dhow, swim in clear water, and eat a seafood barbecue with fruit and soft drinks.
“We had the best day out, a bit of Zanzibar culture, visiting Prison island and the tortoises on the island, some are almost 200 years old. We then travelled Nakupenda island where we snorkelled and swam and had a seafood barbecue. Everyone was helpful and efficient”
Spend a long, varied day around Zanzibar with private hotel pickup, a guide, boat trips, snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, dolphin spotting, Prison Island’s giant tortoises, and swimming with sea turtles at Salaam Cave. Guides such as Abdallah, Regalo, and Mohammed are praised for careful service and flexible pacing.
“Our guide Abdallah was exceptional. He was so vibrant and amazing! We had the best, most memorable experience ever! Such a gentleman, he looked after us and took really good care. The best value for money! A must do!”
Spend six hours with a live guide such as Abu, Musa, or Abubakr, combining Stone Town’s coral-stone lanes and slave-trade history with a speedboat trip to Prison Island’s giant tortoises and snorkeling spots.
“Abu was great! We had an amazing experience with our guide in Stone Town! He was incredibly knowledgeable, polite, and showed us all the hidden gems we would’ve missed on our own. His passion for the city and attention to detail made the tour unforgettable. Highly recommend!”
From Stone Town, you’ll visit historic Prison Island, meet giant Aldabra tortoises, then boat to Nakupenda Sandbank for snorkeling, a seafood lunch, fruit, and beach time. The $42 price excludes a $21 entry fee and may not include transfers outside Stone Town.
“Fatal el guía vino 2 horas tarde con la excusa que no nos encontraba Tuvimos problemas con todo por que nos obligó a pagar propinas cuando no nos dio el cambio de unos dólares Horrible”
Spend seven hours between Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank with an English-speaking guide such as Haji, Fahad, or Obama. See giant tortoises and old island ruins, swim in clear water, and eat freshly prepared seafood or vegetarian food by the sea. Hotel pickup is available.
“Had an excellent day, good food, helpful attentive and happy crew. We got to the sandbank early so were able to walk around in the quiet before the crowds came. Would recommend this trip.”
Spend eight hours exploring Zanzibar’s spice farms, Stone Town, and Changuu Island, also called Prison Island. Your private group has hotel transport, entrance fees, bottled water, a boat ride, and a live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian, or German. Guides such as Abdul and Joseph have been praised for their language skills.
“🌟 Unforgettable Experience – Highly Recommended! I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible tour we had to Stone Town, Prison Island, and Tangawizi spice farm. Everything was perfectly organised from start to finish. Our driver was punctual, professional, and very friendly, making us feel safe and comfortable throughout the journey. A special thank you to our guide, who was not only extremely knowledgeable but also passionate, engaging, and genuinely kind. We learned so much about the history, culture, and natural beauty of Zanzibar – and had a lot of fun along the way! The visit to the spice farm was a sensory delight, and exploring Stone Town…”
Spend about 3 hours 50 minutes visiting Prison Island, Stone Town, and Jambo Spice Farm with pickup, transport, and lunch included. Guide Abu is often assigned to this private tour, which can be adjusted for ferry schedules, airport drop-offs, shopping, and your preferred pace.
“This was a fabulous tour but what made it so special was our tour guide Abu. His chasima and knowledge was excellent and he made the tour so enjoyable. I would highly recommend it and ask for Abu. He made all the difference.”
From Stone Town, you’ll take a dhow to historic Prison Island, meet giant Aldabra tortoises and peacocks, then spend four hours at Nakupenda Sandbank swimming, snorkeling, eating seafood, and relaxing. English guidance, equipment, drinks, fruit, and a private boat transfer are included.
“The trip was okay, prison island was excellent but Nakupenda sandbank guide was not as good.”
Spend a full day with a private guide visiting Prison Island’s giant tortoises and historic buildings, snorkeling at Nakupenda Beach, eating a seafood lunch, and walking Stone Town. Guides such as Amina, Ibrahim, and Hassan are praised for warm, clear storytelling, though Stone Town time can feel short.
“We had a full and delightful day visiting wonderful places with the guide Ibrahim and the driver Abdul (Simba). We started with Prisoners' Island where we learned the history of the place and could admire the beautiful giant turtles. Then we arrivRead more”
Spend about nine hours with a private guide exploring Stone Town, Changuu’s giant tortoises, and a working spice farm. Hotel transfers, boat travel, entrance fees, and a Swahili lunch are included. Comfortable shoes, modest clothing, and insect repellent will make the day easier.
“The spice farm experience and Prison Island were unique. There wasn't much that stood out in Stone City and our tour guide was more interested in Stone City than the other two places that we visited, I would say that he was more interesteRead more”
You’ll visit Prison Island, swim and snorkel at Nakupenda Sand Bank, then explore Stone Town with a local guide. Hotel pickup, private transport, drinks, and a seafood or vegetarian buffet are included. Guides such as Salum and Akmed have led past tours, while captain Ibrahim is praised for his beach barbecue.
“Salum was very informative, prompt and eager to help. He, along with those that helped us made us feel safe and made our experience a great one! I recommend this company. Swan”
Pick a park, a reef or a route up the mountain.
