Stone Town, Prison Island & Spice Farm Tour: 8 Hours

Walk Stone Town's old quarters, boat to Prison Island, and harvest spices at a working farm

An eight-hour day tour from Zanzibar explores Stone Town's heritage quarters, Prison Island by motorized boat, and a spice farm at Tangawizi. You walk through the ancient capital's towns of Darajani and Foradhani, see giant tortoises on Changuu Island, snorkel off the coast, and join a cassava leaf harvest at the farm before taking home fresh spices you've picked.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Stone Town3h
2. Changuu Island2h · entry included

Explore Stone Town, Prison Island, and Spice Farm

• Tour Stone Town forts and markets
• Boat transfer to Prison Island
• See giant tortoises and snorkel
• Visit spice farm and harvest cassava leaves

The experience

The day starts in Stone Town, where you travel inland to the ancient capital of Unguja and move through the towns of Darajani and Foradhani to see the heritage and history written into the streets and buildings. A guide leads you through the quarters, pointing out the forts and the layers of the Sultanate's past. Private transportation handles the movement between stops, so you stay focused on what you're seeing rather than logistics.

A motorized boat then carries you to Prison Island (Changuu Island), where giant tortoises that have lived for a hundred years roam the grounds. You can walk among them, and the source material notes the opportunity to snorkel off the coast, swimming among colorful fish in the water around the island. The boat ride itself is part of the experience: the water and the approach to the island frame what you find there.

The final stop is a real spice farm at Tangawizi in Kijichi village, where you see, smell, and taste the plants growing. You join a cassava leaf harvest, working alongside what grows there rather than just observing it. Fresh spices are available to purchase and take home. A guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language is with you throughout, and bottled water is provided across the day.

What’s included

• Private transportation between all stops.
• motorized boat transfer to Prison Island.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all fees and taxes.
• a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (25 to 72 years) · Senior (73 and older) · Youth (11 to 24 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by KHAMIS TAXI DRIVER ZANZIBAR

Is this one for you?The eight-hour pace and the boat snorkeling mean this tour suits travelers comfortable with a full day of movement and water entry. If you prefer a shorter outing or want to avoid the boat crossing, look for a Stone Town walking tour alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 24 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What is Prison Island and what can you do there?

Prison Island, also called Changuu Island, is home to giant tortoises that have lived for over a hundred years. You walk among them on the island and have the chance to snorkel in the water off the coast, swimming with colorful fish.

What happens at the spice farm in Tangawizi?

At the working spice farm, you see, smell, and taste fresh spice plants growing. You participate in a cassava leaf harvest and can buy fresh spices to take home with you.

How do you get to Prison Island from Stone Town?

A motorized boat transfers you from Stone Town to Prison Island as part of the tour itinerary.

What are Darajani and Foradhani?

Darajani and Foradhani are towns within the ancient capital of Unguja that you visit on foot during the Stone Town portion of the tour to experience the heritage and history of Zanzibar.