Stone Town, Prison Island & Spice Farms Tour

Discover the charm of Stone Town, Prison Island, and the spice plantations of Zanzibar on this enriching day trip that showcases three significant cultural and historical highlights, along with encounters with giant tortoises!

Tour Details

We will commence your adventure with a pickup at your accommodation in Zanzibar. Following this, a captivating walking exploration of Stone Town awaits you, featuring an organic spice market and a visit to the iconic Prison Island. Are you ready for this journey?

Our first stop is Stone Town, recognized as Zanzibar's capital and the island's oldest area, filled with rich historical significance. This town, celebrated for its cultural fusion from the 19th century, combines elements from Arabian, Indian, Persian, and European traditions. As you wander through its quaint, narrow alleys, you'll encounter remnants of its past, including old slave markets and vibrant daily bazaars, perfect for shopping. You will also take in sights of erstwhile royal residences, like the Sultan's Palace, and uncover the somber narrative of the slave trade.

Once we finish our walking exploration, we will board a van to visit a spice plantation, where a guided tour of the spice farm awaits you. Did you know that Zanzibar is hailed as the "Spice Island?" It leads globally in the cultivation of spices such as nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. Here, you will be engulfed in the delightful scents and tastes of various spices, herbs, and tropical fruits like coconuts, papaya, vanilla, and black pepper, among others. You will observe the methods used in the cultivation of these goods while gaining insights from your guide about their uses and benefits.

Feeling hungry? After our time on the spice farm, you will indulge in a traditional Swahili lunch at the plantation, allowing you to relish the various ways spices enhance local cuisine.

Our adventure will continue with a boat journey to Prison Island. You will delve into the island's historical context, notably its role as a prison for enslaved individuals during the 1860s. This island is home to massive tortoises, averaging 440 pounds (200 kilograms), known for their incredible lifespan of over a century. At Prison Island, you can visit the Aldabra Giant Tortoise Sanctuary, a prominent site where a tortoise over 200 years old resides!

Concluding our tour, we will return by boat to Stone Town, ending our journey at your hotel.