Zanzibar Tour: Monkeys, Prison Island, Stone Town, Turtles

Red colobus monkeys, giant tortoises, and sea turtles in one day

A full-day private tour of Zanzibar covering five distinct stops: Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park where you watch red colobus monkeys in mangrove swamps; Prison Island to swim and see giant land tortoises; lunch at Secret Garden restaurant in Stone Town's heart; a three-hour walking tour through Stone Town's narrow streets past the Mkunazini Slave Market and Palace Museum House; and Salaam Cave near Kizimkazi where you swim with sea turtles in clear water. A guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language leads the route, and snorkelling equipment is provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park1h · entry included
2. Changuu Island2h · entry included
3. Stone Town3h

Full day Zanzibar sightseeing tour

• Visit Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
• Boat ride to Prison Island
• Swim and snorkel at Prison Island
• Lunch at Secret Garden Restaurant
• Guided sightseeing tour of Stone Town
• Swim with sea turtles in Salaam Cave

The experience

Your day starts in Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, where a professional guide walks you through mangrove swamps and wooded areas looking for red colobus monkeys, bush babies and other island wildlife. The guide explains how these animals evolved in isolation on Zanzibar. From there, a 20-minute boat ride takes you to Prison Island (Changuu Island), where you swim, snorkel and sunbathe near giant land tortoises on a beach with clear Indian Ocean water. The island sits just offshore from Stone Town and has a layered history worth asking your guide about.

Lunch happens at Secret Garden Restaurant, a quiet spot in Stone Town's center with distinctive architecture and design. After eating, you spend three hours walking Stone Town's winding colonial streets with your guide, stopping at the Mkunazini Slave Market and the Palace Museum House. The narrow passages open onto viewpoints across the old city, and your guide shares the history and culture embedded in each stop. Late afternoon, you head south to Kizimkazi Beach and Salaam Cave, where you enter clear water to swim alongside sea turtles. Snorkelling equipment is included for both the Prison Island stop and the cave.

The whole day runs eleven hours with private air-conditioned transport, bottled water and WiFi on board. Pickup is included from your hotel. Children from age one are welcome, and the vehicle and all sites are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation from your hotel.
• bottled water and WiFi on board.
• snorkelling equipment at both Prison Island and Salaam Cave.
• all park fees and taxes.
• pickup and drop-off.

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 (13 to 24 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 15 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 nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Africa & Beyond Tours & Travel Ltd

Is this one for you?The day runs eleven hours with walking in Stone Town and water time at three stops, so it suits travelers with a full schedule and comfort in the water. Families with children from age one can join, and all sites and transport are wheelchair accessible.

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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 (13 to 24 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What are the red colobus monkeys like in Jozani Forest?

Red colobus monkeys are native to Zanzibar and live in the mangrove swamps and wooded areas of Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park. Your guide explains their unique evolution on the island as you watch them move through the trees and interact with the group.

Can I really swim with sea turtles at Salaam Cave?

Yes. Salaam Cave near Kizimkazi Beach is a shallow, clear-water site where sea turtles are present. You enter the water with snorkelling equipment provided and swim in their space. The guide describes it as a peaceful encounter rather than a staged activity.

How much time do I spend walking in Stone Town?

Stone Town gets a dedicated three-hour guided tour on foot through the narrow colonial streets. You stop at the Mkunazini Slave Market and the Palace Museum House, and your guide points out viewpoints and explains the history and culture of the old city.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You pay separately at Secret Garden Restaurant in Stone Town. Dinner is also not included.