Stone Town, Prison Island and Spice Farm Tour – From South East Hotels
Explore Zanzibar’s cultural heritage, island scenery and spice-growing traditions on a privately guided excursion with Cruzeiro Safaris. Depart from your South East coast hotel for a guided Stone Town walking tour, a boat excursion to Prison Island and a spice farm visit. This combined day tour introduces Zanzibar’s historic streets, giant tortoises and aromatic tropical plants.
Tour Overview
- Destination: Stone Town, Prison Island and a spice farm, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
- Tour type: Privately guided cultural, island and agricultural excursion.
- Pickup: Your confirmed hotel on Zanzibar’s South East coast.
- Drop-off: Your pickup hotel, unless otherwise agreed.
- Transport: Road transfers and boat travel to and from Prison Island.
- Guide language: English.
- Minimum booking: Two adults.
- Schedule: Pickup time, total duration and the order of visits are confirmed after booking.
Detailed Itinerary
1. Pickup from Your South East Coast Hotel
Meet your guide at the confirmed hotel pickup point and begin your journey by road. Your guide will introduce the programme and explain the arrangements for the walking tour, island visit and spice farm experience.
The departure time depends on your hotel location and the confirmed attraction and boat arrangements. The following itinerary describes an indicative visit order, which may be adjusted on the day.
2. Guided Walking Tour of Stone Town
Explore Stone Town on foot with your English-speaking guide. Walk through narrow lanes and observe traditional architecture, carved wooden doors, local shops and everyday street life. Learn about the Swahili culture and trading connections that helped shape Zanzibar.
Your guide will introduce the landmarks encountered along the confirmed walking route, with opportunities for photographs where appropriate. Visits inside museums, religious sites or individual historic buildings apply only where listed in your confirmed programme.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing that covers shoulders and knees for this part of the excursion.
3. Boat Crossing to Prison Island
Continue to the boat departure point for your crossing to Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. Enjoy views of Stone Town’s waterfront and the Indian Ocean during the journey.
Your guide and boat crew will explain boarding arrangements. Departure times and the crossing depend on local operations, weather and sea conditions.
4. Guided Prison Island Visit
On arrival, explore the designated visitor areas with your guide and learn about the island’s historical background, including its former quarantine role. View historic buildings along the route and enjoy the coastal scenery.
Visit the giant tortoise area to observe the animals and take photographs while following the site’s rules. Respect staff instructions for any permitted interaction and allow the tortoises space to move freely.
After the scheduled visit, return by boat to the mainland and continue your excursion by road.
5. Guided Spice Farm Tour
Visit the spice farm selected for your confirmed programme. Walk with your guide through the growing areas and learn how spices and other tropical plants are cultivated, harvested and used in cooking and everyday life.
Depending on the farm and season, the plants introduced may include cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and other locally grown varieties. Your guide will help you recognise the plants through their appearance and, where permitted, their aromas.
Any fruit tasting, spice sampling or demonstrations depend on the farm’s arrangements and seasonal availability. These activities are included only where confirmed in your booking.
6. Optional Refreshment or Shopping Stop
If the schedule allows, there may be an opportunity to purchase refreshments or packaged spices. Purchases are optional and payable separately.
Meals and drinks are excluded unless specifically stated. Please request a meal stop when enquiring if you would like one incorporated into the programme.
7. Return Transfer to Your Hotel
After completing the scheduled visits, travel back to your South East coast hotel. The return time depends on your hotel location, traffic, the boat schedule and conditions on the day.
What Is Included
- Return hotel road transfers from your confirmed South East coast hotel.
- Road transfers between the scheduled mainland stops.
- English-speaking guide.
- Scheduled attraction entrance fees as specified in the confirmed programme.
A return boat crossing is required for the Prison Island visit. Whether the boat fare is included in the quoted package price will be stated in your booking summary.
What Is Not Included
- Meals and drinks unless specifically stated.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses and optional shopping.
- Additional attraction visits or activities outside the confirmed programme.
Booking Conditions and Child Rates
Rates are valid for travel from 1 January to 31 December 2027 and are subject to availability. A minimum of two adults is required per booking. Children are charged 75% of the applicable adult price. Please provide children’s ages when requesting a quotation.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes suitable for town streets and farm paths.
- Light clothing that covers shoulders and knees for Stone Town.
- Sun protection, a hat and drinking water.
- Insect repellent for the farm visit.
- A camera or phone with a protective cover for boat travel.
- Money for optional refreshments, shopping and tips.
Important Information
This excursion involves walking, uneven surfaces and boat boarding. Please advise Cruzeiro Safaris of any mobility requirements before booking so suitability can be checked.
The visit order may change according to attraction availability, traffic, weather and sea conditions. Spice plants, produce and demonstrations vary with the farm and season. Swimming and snorkelling are not included in the stated programme.
The tour is privately guided. Exclusive vehicle or boat use applies only where expressly confirmed, and other visitors may be present at the attractions.
Book with Cruzeiro Safaris
Send Cruzeiro Safaris your preferred travel date, South East coast hotel name, number of adults and children, and any special requirements. Your quotation and booking confirmation will specify the final inclusions, boat fare arrangements, pickup time and scheduled visits.
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