Zanzibar spice tour, Prison Island & Stone Town: 8 hours

Touch, smell and taste your way through Zanzibar's spice farms, then meet the giant tortoises on Prison Island.

A full-day private tour of Zanzibar covering four stops: an organic spice farm where you touch, smell and taste the island's herbs and tropical fruits; a 30-minute boat ride to Prison Island to see giant tortoises and learn the site's history; a walking tour through the UNESCO-listed winding streets and carved doors of Stone Town; and the Slave Market Museum. The tour runs eight hours with a live guide in English, Spanish, French, German or Italian, private transportation, bottled water and all entry fees included. Children from age one are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zanzibar cultural and historical tour

• Visit organic spice farm
• Explore spice stall and buy spices
• Boat ride to Prison Island
• Learn about giant tortoises
• Walking tour of Stone Town
• Visit Slave Market Museum

The experience

What makes a spice tour different from just reading about cloves? On this one, you walk through an organic farm and handle the plants themselves: lemongrass, nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla, cardamom, black pepper, jackfruit and the rest. You don't just see them. The guide walks you through what each one smells like and tastes like, and the farm stop ends at a spice stall where you can buy fresh packaged spices and organic soaps to take home.

After the farm, a 30-minute boat ride takes you out to Prison Island (Changuu Island), where giant tortoises roam the grounds. The guide explains the island's history. It was built as a prison, later became a quarantine hospital, and now serves as a sanctuary for the tortoises that were once kept in Stone Town. You'll have time to walk around and see the animals up close before heading back to the mainland.

Stone Town, the historic capital district, is the walking portion of the day. The streets are narrow and winding, lined with carved wooden doors, colorful markets and colonial-era architecture layered with British, Portuguese, Indian, Omani and Swahili influences. It's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The guide leads you through the layout and tells the stories behind the buildings and the people who built them. The final stop is the Slave Market Museum, where the guide walks you through the chambers and monuments and explains the trade's history on the island. Private transportation picks you up and drops you off, and your guide speaks the language you book in.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, French, German or Italian.
• entry to the spice farm, Prison Island and the Slave Market Museum.
• the 30-minute boat ride to Prison Island.
• and bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

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.You can choose from 32 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Wise Tour Guide

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you travel with your own guide and driver rather than joining a group. That means the pace and stops are yours to shape, and the guide can answer questions specific to your interests without moving on for other travelers. Book this one if you want to explore Zanzibar's history and culture in depth without coordinating transport or entry on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide 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 exactly do you do on the spice farm part of the tour?

On the spice farm, you walk through an organic plantation and handle the plants: touching leaves, smelling the herbs and tasting fresh fruits and spices like vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. The guide explains what each plant is used for and how it grows on the island year-round. The stop ends at a spice stall where you can buy packaged spices and organic soaps.

How long is the boat ride to Prison Island, and what do you do there?

The boat ride to Prison Island takes 30 minutes each way. Once you arrive, your guide teaches you about the island's history as a former prison and quarantine hospital, then introduces you to the giant tortoises that now live there. You have time to walk around and see the animals.

Is Stone Town walking tour difficult, or is it manageable for most people?

Stone Town's streets are narrow and winding, but the walking tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces are accessible. If you have concerns about cardiovascular health, check with the operator before booking.

Does the price include entry to the museums and the boat ride?

Yes, all fees and taxes are included: entry to the spice farm, the boat ride to Prison Island, entry to Prison Island itself, and entry to the Slave Market Museum. Private transportation and bottled water are also included.