Zanzibar Prison Island & Stone Town UNESCO Heritage Walk

Giant tortoises over 100 years old live on an island 30 minutes from shore.

A combined tour of Zanzibar's Stone Town UNESCO heritage site and Prison Island (Changuu Island), a 4-hour experience with a local guide and boat transport. Walk the winding streets where sultans, slaves and explorers shaped East African history, then island-hop to see giant tortoise sanctuary and 19th-century prison ruins. The guide adapts the Stone Town route to your interests: history, shopping, architecture or street life.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Changuu Island1h · entry included
2. Stone Town2h

Explore Stone Town and Prison Island

• Walk through Stone Town streets
• Visit former slave market and cathedral
• Explore local markets and bazaars
• Take boat to Prison Island
• See giant tortoises and prison ruins

The experience

Stone Town's narrow alleys and bazaars tell the story of Zanzibar through the buildings where history happened: the former slave market, the Anglican cathedral, the House of Wonders. Your guide leads you through the same streets traders and explorers once walked, pointing out the carved Zanzibar doors and stone architecture that mark each era. The walking route is flexible. If you want to hunt for antiques, spend time in the fish market watching vendors stack seafood and fresh bread, or linger in residential areas where children play and locals sit out to gossip, the guide adjusts the pace and stops to match what interests you.

Prison Island sits 30 minutes away by local boat. The island's name comes from the prison built to isolate rebellious slaves, though it was never actually used as a jail. Today it's a sanctuary for giant tortoises, some believed to be over 100 years old and originally thought to have come from the Seychelles. You'll walk the island's trails, photograph the tortoises up close, and explore the prison ruins: a quiet, slow counterpoint to the morning's busy streets.

The tour includes the local boat for both legs and a professional guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian or German. Entrance fees (10 USD per person in Stone Town, 22 USD at Prison Island) are separate, as are any personal expenses or optional tips.

What’s included

• Scenic local boat for transport to and from Prison Island.
• professional local guide in English, Spanish, Italian or German.
• flexible Stone Town walking route adapted to your interests.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (40 to 74 years) · Senior (75 to 80 years) · Youth (7 to 30 years) · Child (3 to 4 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 22

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Mk Zanzibar Tours

Is this one for you?The tour picks you up and handles all transport by boat, so you don't need a car or arrange separate island access: useful if you're staying in Stone Town or elsewhere on Zanzibar without your own vehicle.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 30 years); Child (3 to 4 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 is Prison Island actually used for now?

Prison Island is now a tortoise sanctuary. The 19th-century prison structure was built to isolate rebellious slaves but was never used as a functioning jail. Today visitors walk among giant tortoises, some over 100 years old, and explore the ruins of the original buildings.

Can I choose what to see in Stone Town, or is the route fixed?

The Stone Town walking route is flexible and adapts to your interests. If you're a history buff, culture enthusiast, shopper or antique hunter, your guide can develop the itinerary to get the most out of your time and focus on what matters to you.

How long is the boat ride to Prison Island?

Prison Island is 30 minutes away from Stone Town by local boat, making it a manageable half-day addition to the morning city walk.

What does the tour include and what costs extra?

The tour includes the local boat for both the return journey and the island crossing, plus a professional local guide. Entrance fees are separate: 10 USD per person in Stone Town and 22 USD per person at Prison Island. Tips are optional.