Stone Town, Prison Island & Unguja: Private Tour with Tortoises

Three sultanate towns and giant tortoises on one private route

A private day tour from Zanzibar City explores Stone Town's heritage sites, travels inland to the ancient capital Unguja and the spice markets of Darajani and Forodhani, then takes a boat to Changuu Island to see the large tortoises that live there. The tour runs six hours with a guide, private transport and bottled water included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Stone Town3h
2. Changuu Island3m · entry included

Explore Stone Town and Prison Island

• Tour Stone Town's sultanate fonts
• Visit Darajani spice market
• Travel to Unguja ancient capital
• Boat trip to Prison Island
• See large tortoises on island

The experience

The day starts in Stone Town and moves inland to Unguja, the ancient capital, then through the markets of Darajani and Forodhani where you walk among the stalls and see how the spice trade shaped Zanzibar's history. A private vehicle and guide mean you set the pace through each stop and can ask about what you're seeing without waiting for a group to catch up.

The second half crosses by boat to Changuu Island (Prison Island), where giant tortoises roam the grounds. You'll see them up close and learn about the island's role in Zanzibar's past. The boat ride itself is part of the route, not a separate add-on, so the water crossing fits into the day's flow.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language, and pickup from your Zanzibar City hotel is included. The tour runs six hours total, so you're back with time to rest or explore on your own before evening.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• bottled water.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (25 to 74 years) · Senior (75 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 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Sweet Apple Tours and Safaris

Is this one for you?The tour involves walking through town streets and markets, then a boat ride to the island, so it suits travelers comfortable with a mix of on-foot exploration and water travel. Private transport means no group schedule to keep, just your pace and your guide's knowledge of each stop.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

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 Changuu Island and why do people visit it?

Changuu Island, also called Prison Island, is a historic site in Zanzibar's waters where large tortoises live in the open. Visitors go there to see the tortoises and learn about the island's history as part of the day's boat portion.

Will I walk a lot through Stone Town and the markets?

Yes, you walk through Stone Town and the spice markets of Darajani and Forodhani to see the sites and understand the heritage. The pace is set by your private guide, so you can move at your own speed and stop when something interests you.

How does the boat ride to Changuu Island work?

The boat takes you from the mainland to Changuu Island as part of the tour route. It's included in the day and timed so the island visit fits inside the six-hour total without rushing back.