Stone Town and Prison Island
Old town in the morning, tortoises in the afternoon
- Location Stone Town and Changuu Island, Zanzibar
- Duration Full day, approximately 7 to 8 hours
- Tour type Private or shared
- Availability Daily
Price on request Send the form and we reply with a firm quote, usually within a few hours.
Overview
The two best-known half-day excursions in Zanzibar, joined into one full day with a single transfer. It is the most popular combination we run, and the natural choice for anyone with only one free day.
The morning belongs to Stone Town. Your guide walks you through the coral stone lanes of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: the former slave market and its memorial, the Old Fort, the House of Wonders on the seafront, the Sultan’s Palace and the produce stalls of Darajani market. Along the way you hear the stories of Princess Salme and Farrokh Bulsara, the boy from Stone Town later known as Freddie Mercury.
In the afternoon you take the boat out to Changuu Island. Despite the name, no prisoner was ever held there. The building went up in 1893 and became a quarantine station instead. Today the island is known for its colony of Aldabra giant tortoises, some over a century old, and you are able to walk among them and feed them with a keeper present.
The island is ringed by a shallow reef and a small white beach, so the day ends with time to snorkel or swim before the boat returns to Stone Town.
Highlights
- Guided walk through a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The former slave market, Old Fort and House of Wonders
- Darajani market and the old carved doors
- Aldabra giant tortoises on Changuu Island
- The 1893 prison and quarantine buildings
- Snorkelling and swimming from the island beach
Itinerary
- 08:30
Hotel pickup
Collection from your hotel and transfer to Stone Town.
- 09:30
Stone Town walking tour
The old slave market, Old Fort, House of Wonders, Sultan's Palace, the seafront consulates and Darajani market.
- 12:00
Boat to Changuu Island
A thirty-minute crossing with views back over the old town.
- 12:45
Tortoise sanctuary and prison ruins
Guided visit to the tortoise colony and the historic buildings.
- 14:00
Beach and snorkelling
Free time to snorkel the reef or swim from the island beach.
- 15:30
Return
Sail back to Stone Town and transfer to your hotel.
What is included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Return boat transfer to Changuu Island
- All entrance fees and taxes
- Snorkelling gear and life jacket
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch and drinks, where not listed as included
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Gratuities for your guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- Anything not named under what is included
Pickup and meeting point
Pickup time: Around 08:30.
Meeting point: Hotel reception.
We collect from these areas:
- Stone Town
- Zanzibar City
- Maungani
- Nungwi
- Kendwa
- Matemwe
- Kiwengwa
- Pwani Mchangani
- Uroa
- Pongwe
- Chwaka
- Michamvi
- Paje
- Jambiani
- Makunduchi
- Kizimkazi
- Fumba
- Mangapwani
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun cream, hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Small notes in Tanzanian shillings or US dollars
- Camera
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for Stone Town
- Swimwear and towel
Important information
- Stone Town is a residential quarter. Clothing covering shoulders and knees is appreciated.
- Bring swimwear under your clothes so you do not need to change on the island.
- Some Stone Town sites shorten hours around Friday midday prayers and the guide adjusts the route.
- A seafood lunch on the island is available as an extra.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Is lunch included?
Not by default. A seafood lunch on Changuu Island is available as an extra, or your guide will recommend somewhere in Stone Town.
How long is the boat crossing?
About thirty minutes each way, in generally calm water.
Are we able to do this in reverse?
Yes. The order depends on the tide and how busy the sites are. Your guide will choose the better sequence on the day.
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