Zanzibar: Stone Town & Spice Tour with Local Guide Pickup

Summary

Walk Zanzibar’s spice trails then wander Stone Town’s old alleys

You’ll walk through Zanzibar’s fragrant spice farms with a local guide, taste fresh fruits straight from the trees, then lose yourself in Stone Town’s winding alleys. Expect laughter over language slips, stories about island life, and moments that linger — especially when you hear those ancient city sounds for yourself.

What’s the experience like?

“Karibu!” That was the first word our guide, Salma, greeted us with when she met us outside our hotel in Zanzibar. She had this easy smile and a way of making you feel like you’d known her longer than five minutes. We piled into the van (bottled water already waiting) and headed out past the city’s faded pastel walls toward the spice farms. I’ll admit, I thought I knew what cloves smelled like — but standing there, crushing one between my fingers as Salma explained how her grandmother used them for everything from tea to toothaches, it hit different. The air was thick with green and something sweet I couldn’t quite place.

I tried to say “cardamom” in Swahili — Salma laughed and gently corrected me (I still can’t get it right). We wandered through rows of nutmeg trees and vanilla vines, tasting bits of fresh fruit that one of the farmers sliced open right there. There was this moment where a kid ran by with a basket on his head, grinning at us like we were part of some inside joke. The whole thing felt less like a tour and more like being let in on daily life here.

Stone Town came next — all tangled alleys and carved doors. Salma pointed out where Freddie Mercury grew up (I didn’t expect that), and we ducked into a tiny shop for spiced coffee. The floors were cool underfoot, even though outside the sun was relentless. I caught myself just standing still for a second, listening to the call to prayer echo off old coral stone walls. It’s hard to explain but there’s this mix of chaos and calm here that sticks with you long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Stone Town and spices

• Walking Tour
• Spice walking Tour

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the Zanzibar spice tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price.

How long does the Stone Town & spice tour take?

This is a half-day tour combining both experiences.

Are guides on this tour local or multilingual?

The tour may be operated by a multilingual local guide.

Is bottled water provided during the Zanzibar day trip?

Bottled water is included for all guests on this tour.

Are fresh fruits included during the spice farm visit?

Yes, you’ll taste fresh seasonal fruits at the spice farm.

Can infants join this Zanzibar day trip safely?

Specialized infant seats are available; suitable for all ages.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water throughout, guidance from a professional art historian who knows every shortcut in Stone Town, plus fresh seasonal fruits picked right at the farm before heading back to your hotel.