Zanzibar full-day tour: Kuza Cave, Jozani Forest, Prison Island

Swim in Kuza Cave's crystal water, then spot giant tortoises on Prison Island

A full-day tour of Zanzibar covering five stops: the limestone caverns and swimming hole at Kuza Cave in Jambiani, a three-course seafood lunch at The Rock Restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean, a nature walk through Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park to see red colobus monkeys, a motorized boat trip to Prison Island to walk among giant tortoises, and dinner at Secret Garden in Stone Town. Private transportation, a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language, bottled water, and hotel pickup are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park1h · entry included
2. Changuu Island3h · entry included

Explore Zanzibar's natural and cultural sites

• Visit Kuza Cave and swim
• Lunch at The Rock Restaurant
• Walk in Jozani Forest
• Boat trip to Prison Island
• Dinner at Secret Garden Restaurant

The experience

The day starts at Kuza Cave in Jambiani, where you descend into limestone caverns to see local artifacts and a timeline of Swahili history, then swim in the clear water inside the cave itself. From there, the tour moves to The Rock Restaurant near Michamvi Pingwe for a three-hour stop: you sit overlooking the Indian Ocean, order from a menu of fresh seafood or authentic Swahili dishes, and eat a three-course lunch while the sun moves across the water.

Next is Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, where you walk a nature trail lined with eucalyptus and mahogany trees to spot the rare red colobus monkeys in close proximity, then cross a boardwalk through the mangrove forest. A motorized boat then carries you to Prison Island (Changuu Island), a tropical island with white sand beaches and a forest where giant tortoises move slowly across the ground. The island has a history as a site of slave internment and cholera quarantine. The tour ends with dinner at Secret Garden, a restaurant in the heart of Stone Town with decorated architecture and a quiet, unique atmosphere for Swahili food.

Private transportation moves you between all five stops in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the guide travels with you throughout. The full day runs about eleven hours from hotel pickup to return.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and return.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (25 to 55 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (15 to 20 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Africa & Beyond Tours & Travel Ltd

Is this one for you?At eleven hours, this tour fills most of a day and leaves little room for other activities, so book it when you want a comprehensive loop through Zanzibar's main attractions rather than time to explore Stone Town on your own or visit a single site in depth.

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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 (15 to 20 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What is Kuza Cave like, and can you actually swim inside it?

Kuza Cave is a limestone cavern in Jambiani filled with formations and local artifacts that trace Swahili history. Yes, you swim in the clear crystal water inside the cave itself as part of the two-hour stop there.

How long do you spend at The Rock Restaurant, and what kind of food is served?

The Rock Restaurant stop lasts three hours. You order from a menu of fresh seafood or authentic Swahili specialties and eat a three-course lunch with a view of the Indian Ocean.

Will I see the red colobus monkeys at Jozani Forest?

Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is where the rare red colobus monkeys live. You walk a nature trail through eucalyptus and mahogany trees and cross a boardwalk in the mangrove forest where you can spot them in close proximity.

What happens on Prison Island, and how do you get there?

Prison Island (Changuu Island) is reached by motorized boat. The island has white sandy beaches, a forest filled with wildlife, and giant tortoises that roam freely. It also has a history as a site of slave internment and cholera quarantine.

Does the tour include both lunch and dinner?

Lunch at The Rock Restaurant is included in the tour. Dinner at Secret Garden in Stone Town is also part of the itinerary, so you eat at both restaurants on the same day.