Prison Island Zanzibar Tour – Giant Tortoises & Historic Island Experience
The Prison Island Zanzibar Tour is one of the most popular excursions in Zanzibar, offering visitors a unique combination of history, nature, and relaxation. Located just 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town, Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, is a small but fascinating destination in the Indian Ocean.
A highlight of the Prison Island Zanzibar Tour is the opportunity to see the famous giant Aldabra tortoises. Some of these tortoises are over 100 years old, and visitors can observe them up close, feed them, and learn about their conservation. The island serves as a sanctuary for these remarkable creatures, making it a memorable experience for animal lovers.
The Prison Island Zanzibar Tour also offers insight into the island’s history. Originally intended to be a prison for rebellious slaves in the late 19th century, the building was later used as a quarantine station for people arriving in Zanzibar. Today, visitors can explore the historic ruins and learn about the island’s past while enjoying beautiful ocean views.
Beyond history and wildlife, the Prison Island Zanzibar Tour provides a chance to relax on white sandy beaches and swim in clear turquoise waters. Snorkeling is also a popular activity, as the surrounding coral reefs are home to colorful fish and marine life.
Perfect as a half-day trip from Stone Town, the Prison Island Zanzibar Tour combines culture, wildlife, and coastal beauty, making it an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting Zanzibar.
Morning
Begin your day at 8:00 AM by departing from Zanzibar City and taking a boat ride to Prison Island Zanzibar. As you cruise along, take in the stunning views of the ocean. Arrive at the island around 9:00 AM and step ashore. Join a knowledgeable local guide for a fascinating tour of the island’s history. At 10:00 AM, visit the Tortoise Sanctuary, home to some incredible giant tortoises. Learn about their conservation efforts and have a chance to interact with them. Afterward, enjoy some leisure time at 11:00 AM on the beautiful beaches.
Afternoon
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant around 12:00 PM. Treat yourself to traditional Zanzibar dishes, including fresh seafood. After lunch, gear up with snorkeling equipment and get ready to swim. Relax on the Island and explore the colorful marine life with the provided snorkeling gear.
Evening
At 5:00 PM, return to Zanzibar City, concluding your enriching trip to the Island. As you journey back, reflect on the memorable experiences of the day while enjoying the picturesque views of the ocean. Upon arrival in Zanzibar City, your guide will ensure your safe return and bid you farewell mark the end of your prison island tour.
Price Includes/Excludes
Price Includes
- Expert Guidance: A knowledgeable and English-speaking guide will be by your side throughout the day trip. (Guides in other languages are available upon request, just let us know!)
- Entrance Fees: Entrance fee to Prison Island and the Tortoise Sanctuary.
- Delicious Lunch & Drinks: Lunch at a local restaurant, featuring traditional Zanzibar dishes including fresh seafood.
- Transport: Boat ride from Stone Town, Zanzibar to Prison Island and back.
Price Excludes
- Tipping: Tipping your instructor is a kind gesture to acknowledge his or her hard work and excellent service. While tipping is not mandatory, it is certainly appreciated.
- Additional Food & Drinks: Alcoholic beverages (except those included at 5-star accommodations) and other drinks outside your meal plan are not covered.
- Travel Logistics: Flights, travel insurance, and visas are not included.
- Snorkelling price: Snorkelling is an additional activity that can be booked separately.
- Snorkelling Gear: Equipment for exploring the coral reefs not included, but can be rented at an additional cost.
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, personal shopping, and other incidental costs are your responsibility.
- Feeding the giant tortoises: You might be able to purchase food to feed the giant tortoises.
Our Zanzibar FAQs
Yes, you can participate in activities like traditional dances and beadwork. These activities offer a hands-on experience of Maasai culture.
The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is usually held in July. It showcases films from Africa and beyond, promoting the work of filmmakers from around the world. The festival also includes workshops, discussions, and cultural events.
Absolutely! You’re warmly welcome to join and enjoy these festivals. These events provide a great opportunity to experience local culture and Zanzibar’s traditions firsthand. Contact Us to arrange any of the cultural festivals in Zanzibar based on your budget and preferences.
A stay of at least 3 to 7 days is recommended. This allows you to explore the main attractions, such as Stone Town and the beautiful beaches, and relax. A longer stay gives you the chance to fully immerse yourself in Zanzibar’s culture and relax in stunning beaches.
Zanzibar offers romantic activities for honeymooners like sunset dhow cruises, private beach picnics, spice tours, candlelit dinners on the beach, snorkeling, and exploring historic Stone Town. It’s a perfect destination for a memorable honeymoon.
Yes, you can explore Zanzibar in 3 days. Day one, tour Stone Town and enjoy a sunset dhow cruise. Day two, visit a spice farm and relax at Nungwi Beach. Day three, explore Kendwa Beach and Prison Island. This itinerary covers the highlights, offering a glimpse into Zanzibar’s culture and scenery but to fully experience Zanzibar, a stay of at least 5 to 7 days is ideal.
The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry seasons, from June to October and December to February. The weather is perfect for beach activities, sightseeing, and outdoor adventures. These months offer sunny skies and warm temperatures, ideal for exploring Zanzibar.
Yes, beach weddings are possible in Zanzibar. We can help you arrange a beautiful beach ceremony for your special day. A beach wedding offers a picturesque and unique setting for exchanging vows, making your wedding in Zanzibar unforgettable
Yes, the Mwaka Kogwa festival celebrates the Shirazi New Year. It involves traditional rituals, music, and dance, and takes place in July. The festival is an important cultural event for the Shirazi community and offers a unique sight into Zanzibar’s customs and traditions
Nungwi and Kendwa Beach are popular areas for honeymooners. They offer luxurious accommodations, stunning beaches, and a range of activities. These areas are known for their vibrant yet romantic atmosphere, perfect for couples seeking a memorable honeymoon in Zanzibar.
Yes, when visiting mosques or religious sites, wear long sleeves and long skirts or pants. Women should also cover their heads with a scarf. This dress code shows respect for the religious and cultural significance of these sites in Zanzibar
Yes, many festivals and events occur during the dry season. This includes the Zanzibar International Film Festival in July and the Sauti za Busara music festival in February. These events enhance the cultural experience for visitors during these months.
Yes, you can wear a swimsuit on the beach. However, cover up when leaving the beach area to respect local customs. Wearing a cover-up or changing into more modest clothing when away from the beach is appreciated in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar offers a range of accommodations, including luxury resorts, boutique hotels, beachfront villas, and budget guesthouses. There’s something for every budget and preference. Each type of accommodation provides a unique experience in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar offers a mix of rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. You can enjoy relaxing on beaches, exploring historic sites, and engaging in local traditions. The island’s unique blend of Swahili, Arab, and European influences create a fascinating experience in Zanzibar.
It’s respectful to wear modest clothing in public places. Cover your shoulders and knees, especially when visiting villages and religious sites. This shows respect for the local customs and traditions in Zanzibar.
Yes, there are many budget-friendly options like guesthouses and hostels. These provide basic amenities at affordable prices. Budget accommodations are perfect for travelers who want to explore Zanzibar without spending too much.
Zanzibar has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. It has two rainy seasons, from March to May and November to December. During the rainy seasons, heavy rains can affect travel plans, while the dry seasons are more pleasant for visitors.
No, you don’t need to wear traditional clothing. Just dress modestly and comfortably for the climate. Lightweight and breathable fabrics are ideal for the warm weather in Zanzibar.
Reviews
Verified Excellent and exceptional experience! My experience couldn't be better and I couldn't recommend Nyange more! They are excellent and I'm super satisfied with everything.I booked my climbing to Kilimanjaro with them and everything was perfect from the starting communication to the very last second I was with them.I'm a woman solo traveler and I felt safe every single time.All the staff is very nice, helpful and attentive. They really make the phrase "come as a client, leave as a friend" come true, I'll miss everyone! Special thanks to my guide in Kilimanjaro: Amnaay (if you wanna go with him, I assure you'll have a fun and pleasant time! He knows a lot, is very encouraging and literally held me when I couldn't walk anymore. I don't know if I could reach the summit without him and all the other guys that came with me - the cooker, waiter and porters, everyone special, very professional and has their space in my heart).They arranged everything I needed: my commuting from the city center to the farm (their farm is amaaaaazing, beautiful and the room was super comfortable and clean and with a breathtaking view of Kilimanjaro. All the delicious food they make is local - with ingredients from the farm), even in my last night Amnaay asked them if they could cook Ugali for me, and they did!The owner, Praise, is also very caring and himself always make sure that everything is ok, always having nice conversations, asking if I need something, etc.I could be here writing a review of 50 pages only speaking good things about them. Highly recommend! It was for sure the best experience in my life and thanks for them!Posted onVerified Highly Recommend Nyange Adventures - a life changing experience I highly recommend Nyange Adventures. Amina coordinated our tour and was extremely helpful, communicative, and accommodating. We did a 9-day safari and 3-days in Zanzibar all coordinated through Nyange Adventures for our honeymoon. It was the perfect amount of time if you plan to do both Central Serengeti (most popular) and Northern Serengeti (Wildebeest migration in September), which we did. I wish we had more time in Zanzibar, and we could have easily spent 5-7 days there and scuba dived. Our safari was exceptional because our guide, Joseph, was top notch. Joseph is so kind and professional. He went out of his way to make sure we had an incredible experience. Joseph knew where to go, when to wake up, and he was just as excited to see the wildlife as we were, which made it even better. Our stays were mid-tier, and we always had a shower and bathroom. Some stays were better than others, admittedly, but the food was always delicious and the hospitality of the staff was incredible. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the car and on bumpy, wild, and remote roads... remember that is what a safari entails. Be patient and let go of control. In order to access once-in-a-lifetime nature, you have to rough it a bit. We enjoyed learning more about the history of Tanzania (Tan-gan-ika) and Swahili culture. Do not skip the tribe immersions (we met the Hadzabe, Datoga, and Masai tribes). Pay your white people tax and spread USD tips around. Bring a lot of cash with you as we had trouble accessing ATMs. I wish we brought more cash, so we didn't have to waste time figuring out how to pay once we arrived. Amina warned me, but I didn't understand and if I went again, I would bring even more USD. Hadiya was our guide in Zanzibar. We did a walking tour with her. She was very informative, kind, and helpful. Skip the spice tour if you can... it is a big tourist trap. After a safari, you might want some time to decompress at these incredible beaches. Be prepared that the tides are strong and occur in the middle of the day. Amina booked a perfect hotel for us - the Sunshine Marine Lodge. In Zanzibar, it really matters where you stay! My only regret is not scuba diving. We ended our days on safari with a campfire and a dancing ceremony. I would highly recommend learning Swahili words and using Swahili language with locals. There is a lot to learn from the people who live in Tanzania - every person we met had a unique story and shared more about their way of life. Be patient. Embrace their culture and learn something. I really didn't want to leave and I can't wait to go back. I think about this experience every day.Posted onVerified Best team ever! I can honestly say that this was one of the best experiences I have ever had traveling. It was made special because of the amazing people who supported our trek up Kily- from our awesome guides, Amnaay and Musa, to Oscar, our chef, who prepared delicious meals to Steve, our waiter,who ensured all of our needs were met to Mohammed who ensured our tents and sleeping quarters were up to snuff and ever porter who supported our hike. Everyday I looked forward to seeing our team on the mountain, they always had smiles on their faces and were cheering us along the way. We became family as we shared time together and I learned to trust my team. Nyange Adventures is top notch and I highly recommend Nyange for your trek up Kily!Posted onVerified Trip of a lifetime in the Ngorongoro crater with Rashidi Spent three days with Rashidi at the Ngorongoro crater and had the time of a life. Rashidi is an excellent guide. Not only can he spot the mammals, sometimes from kilometers away. But he can spot birds too. He can recognize the calls and finds them when they are hidden in thick bush. His English is great and he is knowledgeable about the land and people as well. We saw giraffes, lions, elephants, rhinos, serval cats, water buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, plus over 30 species of birds! Can’t recommend this company and Rashidi enough.Posted onVerified Overnight guide tour to Ngorongoro Crater We had a very last minute opportunity with 3 extra days on a Tanzania mission trip and Nyange did a beautiful job arranging two nights at Ngorongoro Crater with a full day of birding and wildlife in the Crater. They welcomed us at Kilamanjaro International Airport and drove us to Dodoma and the end of the three days. Arrangements were great. Praise was very prompt with queries and helping get myself my wife and three friends all set up. Rashid was our guide and driver, took excellent care of us and demonstrated great guiding skills identifying birds large and small along with really good wildlife finds including 3 rhinos and a Serval Cat. I would highly recommend this group to anyone.Posted onVerified Roof of Africa From the Safari to Kilimanjaro to ZanzibarEverything was arranged and sorted by these guysWhat a truly spellbinding experience into the heart of TanzaniaOne for the booksExtremely reliable company and staffPosted onVerified Terriffic Tanzania We had the most amazing, interesting and memorable adventure in Tanzania. We had a 12-days adventure meeting tripes, local people in the villages, safari tours, waterfalls and farms. We had Francis Boniphase as our guide during the entire trip. He is very friendly and is curious to learn and give his knowledge to us. We also met the owner of the Nyange (Praise Nyange) who gave us some awesome experiences on his farm.Posted onVerified Made it with Nyange! My son and I just reached the summit on the 8 day Lemosho climb with the fabulous crew of Nyange. Special shout out to our guide Amnaay and the assistant guide Henry, without whom we would not have succeeded. On summit day, they carried our day packs, kept us at a steady pace (believe me, that is a good thing), when at several points I was ready to give up. We were one of the first ones to get there just in time to watch to most glorious sunrise. Then, they pretty much held on to us on the rapid and harrowing decent. I found Nyange hightly recommened in Stedman's book. It is a small local outfit that supports KPAP. The owner, who was once a porter, even came to say hi to us during our last day in Moshi. There are lots of operators, a couple of them had huge groups of trekkers, and I am sure they all do a fine job, but I chose to go with a local company and I am so glad I did. And, don't let anyone tell you Kilimanjaro is easy. It was very, very hard!
