Stone Town, Prison Island & Spice Farm Private Tour

Aldabra giant tortoises at Prison Island can live over 200 years, and the oldest one here is 197.

A private tour of Stone Town, Prison Island and a spice farm covering three of Zanzibar's most visited sites in a single day. You start by boat to Changuu Island to see giant tortoises and the 19th-century prison ruins, then explore Stone Town's historic landmarks on foot, and finish at a working spice farm where you learn the crops and taste fresh tropical fruit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Prison Island, Stone Town, Spice Farm

• Boat to Prison Island
• See giant tortoises and ruins
• Explore Stone Town landmarks
• Drive to Spice Farm
• Learn about spices and fruits
• Enjoy fresh tropical fruits

The experience

The day runs seven to eight hours and starts with a boat trip to Prison Island, where Aldabra giant tortoises roam the grounds alongside peacocks and small antelope. The prison itself dates to 1893, when Zanzibar's authorities built it as a quarantine station to control disease arriving on trading ships. You walk the ruins and the grounds before returning to Stone Town by water.

Stone Town is one of Africa's oldest cities and a former East African trading hub, and the tour covers its main landmarks: the Anglican Cathedral (built on the site of a former slave market), the House of Wonders (Zanzibar's national museum), the Palace Museum, the Old Fort, Hamamni Baths, the Catholic Cathedral, Freddy Mercury's house, and Darajani Market. Your guide leads you through the narrow streets and explains the architecture and history as you move between sites.

The spice farm comes last, and it is where you learn what grows in Zanzibar: clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, lemongrass, turmeric, cardamom and tropical fruits like coconut, papaya, mango and jackfruit. You smell and taste the spices, watch a climber scale a coconut tree while singing traditional songs, and eat fresh fruit (watermelon, pineapple, banana, mango and passion fruit) picked from the farm.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water.
• fresh tropical fruits (watermelon, pineapple, banana, passion fruit, mango).
• a live English-speaking guide for the full day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Stone Town pickupGuide in English · 09:30Stone Town, Zanzibar: The tour price covers pickup from any hotel in Stone Town, and pickup is included.

Pickup from other areasGuide in English · 08:30Zanzibar: The tour price covers pickup from any hotel located in Zanzibar, and pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 7h–8h, runs every day at 08:30 and 09:30, from US$ 114.99 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:30Another time? ›

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (2 to 7 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by The Sultan Tours

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want to move at your own pace across three sites (Prison Island by boat, Stone Town on foot, and the Spice Farm by car) with your guide adjusting time based on what captures your interest.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional1 verified traveler review

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 7 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What animals will I see at Prison Island?

Aldabra giant tortoises, peacocks and dik-dik (a small antelope species) live on the island. The tortoises are the main draw. They can live over 200 years, and the oldest one at Prison Island is 197 years old.

What are the main sights in Stone Town?

Stone Town includes the Anglican Cathedral (a former slave market), the House of Wonders (the national museum), the Palace Museum, the Old Fort, Hamamni Baths, the Catholic Cathedral, Freddy Mercury's house and Darajani Market. Your guide takes you to all of them on foot.

What happens at the spice farm?

At the spice farm you learn about and taste clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, lemongrass, turmeric, cardamom and other crops grown in Zanzibar. You also watch someone climb a coconut tree and eat fresh tropical fruit including watermelon, pineapple, banana, mango and passion fruit.

How does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup is included, and your guide meets you at your accommodation. The tour begins with a boat ride to Prison Island, moves to Stone Town by car, and finishes at the spice farm before returning to your hotel.