Zanzibar Private Spice Farm & Stone Town Tour: Half-Day Experience

Summary

Guided Zanzibar Spice Farm Visit & Stone Town Walking Tour

If you want to see Zanzibar’s real side—the flavors, history, and daily life—this half-day tour covers it all. You’ll walk through Stone Town’s winding lanes with a local guide, visit markets full of color and sound, then head out to a working spice farm where you can touch, smell, and taste spices right from the source.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me in Stone Town was the scent—cloves and sea air mixing as we wandered those narrow alleys. Our guide, Salim, pointed out carved wooden doors with stories etched into every panel. We ducked under shaded balconies, passing kids playing football in the street. At the old market, the noise was something else—vendors calling out prices for fresh mangoes and fish. The Slave Market site felt heavy; you could almost hear echoes of the past in the stone walls. Salim shared how David Livingstone helped end the slave trade here, which made standing inside Christ Church Cathedral even more meaningful.

Leaving town behind, we drove out to a spice farm just as the sun started to get warm. The air changed—greener, thick with the smell of cinnamon bark and cardamom pods crushed between our fingers. Our farm guide showed us how nutmeg grows (it’s wrapped in this bright red lace called mace), and let us taste vanilla straight from the pod—sweeter than anything I’ve had before. A guy climbed a coconut tree barefoot and cut down fresh coconuts for us to drink right there. Before heading back, we browsed their little shop for cloves and pepper to take home—way fresher than what you find at supermarkets.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zanzibar City and Spice Farm Tour

• Guided cultural tour of Zanzibar city
• Visit organic spice farm with tasting

Top questions

How long does the whole experience take?

The tour lasts about half a day—including time in Stone Town and at the spice farm.

Is this suitable if I have limited mobility?

The tour is designed for all fitness levels but there are some uneven streets in Stone Town.

Can I buy spices at the farm?

Yes! There’s a small shop at the end where you can buy fresh spices directly from the farm.

Are drinks or snacks included?

Bottled water is provided throughout your trip. You’ll also get to try some tropical fruits at the spice farm.

What’s included

Your private transport is sorted for both parts of the day. Entry fees are covered too. Bottled water comes along for the ride—and yes, you’ll get to sample spices and fruits straight from the farm.