Stone Town and Prison Island Tour
Explore the alleys, carved doors and history of Stone Town on foot, then sail to Prison Island to meet its famous giant tortoises.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Route
- Stone Town walking tour – boat to Changuu (Prison Island) – Stone Town
- Start / end
- Starts and ends at your hotel in Stone Town (pick-up from other parts of Zanzibar on request)
- Best time
- The tour runs year-round; mornings are cooler for walking, and the drier months of about June to October and December to February are most comfortable.
- Trip style
- Private guided walking tour with a licensed Stone Town guide, plus a shared or private boat to Prison Island.
Tour overview
Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, mosques, churches and bustling markets shaped by centuries of Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influence. Exploring it with a knowledgeable local guide brings its layered and sometimes painful history to life.
Your walking tour passes the seafront landmarks, including the Old Fort and the House of Wonders, and continues to Darajani Market and the site of the former slave market, now home to Christ Church Cathedral and a moving memorial. In the afternoon, a short boat ride takes you to Changuu, better known as Prison Island, home to a colony of Aldabra giant tortoises, some of them over a century old.
This tour is perfect at the start of a Zanzibar holiday, for history lovers, families and anyone curious to see more than the beach.
Highlights
- Guided walk through UNESCO-listed Stone Town
- Old Fort, Forodhani Gardens and the House of Wonders area
- Former slave market site, cathedral and memorial
- Lively Darajani Market and spice stalls
- Boat trip to Prison Island and its giant tortoises
- Optional swim and snorkel near the island
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Stone Town walking tour and Prison Island
Meet your guide at your hotel at about 9:00 am and set off on foot through Stone Town's winding lanes. Pass the Old Fort and the seafront House of Wonders, currently under restoration, and admire the famous carved doors and old merchant houses. Visit Darajani Market for spices, fruit and fish, then the site of the former slave market, where Christ Church Cathedral and the slave trade memorial and exhibition tell a sobering story. After a lunch break in town, walk to the beach for the boat ride of about 20 to 30 minutes to Prison Island. Meet the Aldabra giant tortoises, see the old prison buildings and swim or snorkel before returning to Stone Town by about 4:30 pm.
What is included
- Licensed English-speaking Stone Town guide
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Stone Town hotel
- Entry to the slave market memorial and exhibition
- Return boat trip to Prison Island
- Prison Island entry fee
- Snorkeling mask and fins for the island stop
- Bottled drinking water
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Transfers from north or east coast hotels (available at extra cost)
- Tips for your guide and boat crew
- Entry to optional museums not listed
- Travel insurance
- Personal purchases
Good to know
- Dress modestly in Stone Town, covering shoulders and knees, out of respect for local customs.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; the alleys are narrow and uneven.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in the market.
- The order of the day may be reversed depending on tides and boat schedules.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the walking part of the tour?
The Stone Town walk takes about 2.5 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops. The area is flat, but the lanes can be busy and warm.
Can we touch or feed the tortoises?
Visitors can usually get close to the tortoises, and caretakers may offer leaves for feeding under supervision. Please follow staff guidance to keep the animals healthy.
Can the tour be split over two days?
Yes. The Stone Town walk and Prison Island trip can be booked as separate half-day tours if that suits your schedule better.
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