Zanzibar Day Trip: Spice Farm, Prison Island & Stone Town

Three Zanzibar landmarks in one day: spice plantations, island wildlife, and Stone Town's winding streets

A full-day guided tour of Zanzibar visiting a spice farm, Prison Island, and Stone Town, the UNESCO World Heritage site. The day starts at Jambo spice farm where you walk through plantations growing cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, nutmeg and other spices, taste fresh coconut and fruit, and watch a climber scale a coconut palm. Then you travel by boat to Prison Island to see Aldabra giant tortoises, peacocks and small antelope, with time to snorkel and swim. The tour ends with a walking tour through Stone Town's winding alleys, visiting the House of Wonders, the Old Slave Market, and the Arab Fort. A live guide leads the group in English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of four other languages. Pickup is included, and lunch (a spice-based meal with vegetables, fruits and fish) is served at the farm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Stone Town30m
2. Changuu Island1h · entry included

Explore Zanzibar's spice farm, island, and town

• Visit Jambo spice farm
• See and taste spices and fruits
• Travel to Prison Island
• See giant Aldabra tortoises and ruins
• Snorkel and swim at Prison Island
• Walk tour of Stone Town
• Visit slave chambers and monuments
• Explore House of Wonders and Arab Fort

The experience

Stone Town anchors the day's final hours, but the tour builds toward it through two earlier stops that frame Zanzibar's layered past. You start at Jambo spice farm, where a guide walks you through working plantations of cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass and coffee. The farm also grows fruit, and a climber demonstrates how coconut palms are scaled. You taste fresh coconut, seasonal fruit and spices before lunch: a meal built around the farm's own spice blend, with vegetables, fruits and fish (non-vegan options available), plus soft drinks and bottled water.

Prison Island, formally Changuu Island, sits offshore and holds both wildlife and colonial history. The former quarantine station and prison now houses endangered Aldabra giant tortoises alongside peacocks and small antelope. You have time to snorkel and swim in the surrounding water, though snorkeling equipment is not provided. The boat journey itself is part of the day's rhythm. You travel by water between the farm, the island and Stone Town's waterfront.

Stone Town closes the tour with a walking route through the UNESCO World Heritage site's narrow alleys and markets. You visit the House of Wonders, the Old Slave Market with its slave chambers and monuments, and the Anglican church where enslaved people were auctioned and whipped before export. The walk is paced to let the history settle as you move through the streets. An air-conditioned vehicle handles transport between stops on land, and the full day runs seven to ten hours depending on the group's pace and tides affecting boat schedules.

What’s included

• Lunch at the spice farm with soft drinks and bottled water.
• boat transport between the farm, Prison Island and Stone Town.
• air-conditioned vehicle for land travel.
• live guide in your chosen language.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (31 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (18 to 30 years) · Child (2 to 17 years) · Infant (1 year)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Czech and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Africa’s Home Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want three distinct experiences (spice plantations, Prison Island, and Stone Town) covered in one guided day with set stops, rather than piecing together separate half-day tours.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Czech, Chinese and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 30 years); Child (2 to 17 years); Infant (1 year).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What spices will I see growing at Jambo spice farm?

Jambo spice farm grows cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass and coffee. You walk through the plantations with a guide, taste fresh coconut and fruit, and watch a climber demonstrate how to scale a coconut palm.

Can I snorkel at Prison Island, and what's included?

Prison Island offers time to snorkel and swim in the surrounding water. Snorkeling equipment is not provided, so you'll need to bring your own or arrange it separately if you want to use it.

What does the Stone Town walking tour actually cover?

Stone Town's walking tour takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage site's winding alleys and markets to visit the House of Wonders, the Old Slave Market with its slave chambers and monuments, and the Anglican church where enslaved people were auctioned before export.

Is lunch included, and what will I eat?

Lunch is served at Jambo spice farm and includes a spice-based meal with vegetables, fruits, fish (non-vegan options available), and soft drinks. Bottled water is also provided throughout the day.