Scenic Boat Journey
Travel from the Stone Town waterfront across the Zanzibar Channel
to Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island.
Combine a scenic boat trip to Changuu Island with a guided walk through
one of Zanzibar’s tropical spice farms during a convenient full-day tour.
The Prison Island and Spice Farm Combo Tour brings together
two different sides of Zanzibar: the historical and wildlife attractions of
Prison Island and the aromas, plants and agricultural traditions of a local
spice plantation.
On Prison Island, your guide will introduce the island’s former quarantine
facilities and its protected Aldabra giant tortoises. After returning to the
main island, continue by road to a spice farm for a guided walk among tropical
plants, fruit trees and aromatic crops.
Hotel pickup, return transportation, a local guide, boat transfers, standard
entrance fees for both attractions and applicable government fees are included.
Lunch, personal purchases and optional activities are not included unless they
appear separately in your booking confirmation.
Discover island history, giant tortoises and Zanzibar’s spice-growing
traditions without reserving two separate excursions.
Travel from the Stone Town waterfront across the Zanzibar Channel
to Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island.
Explore accessible parts of the historic complex and learn how the
proposed prison later became associated with quarantine.
Observe the island’s protected giant tortoises and learn about their
origins, long lifespan and responsible care.
Walk through a tropical plantation and discover how familiar spices
look before they are harvested and processed.
Smell selected leaves, bark, pods and seeds and taste available fruit
or spices when offered by the farm guide.
Transportation from your Zanzibar accommodation to both attractions
and back after the tour is included.
Changuu became widely known as Prison Island after a prison complex was
constructed there during the late nineteenth century. Although the buildings
were completed, the facility did not develop into a normal operating prison.
The island was subsequently used as a quarantine station for travelers arriving
from areas affected by contagious diseases. Its offshore position allowed
arrivals to be monitored before they continued to Zanzibar.
Your guide will explain the island’s changing role and show you accessible
parts of the historic buildings. Access may vary according to maintenance,
local restrictions and current operating conditions.
Prison Island is now best known for its Aldabra giant tortoises. The ancestors
of the island’s tortoise population were brought from the Seychelles during
the early twentieth century.
During the sanctuary visit, your guide will explain the animals’ diet,
behavior, lifespan and conservation history. Some tortoises are very large
and considerably older than many visitors expect.
Observe the animals calmly and allow them room to walk, feed and rest.
Sanctuary staff instructions must always take priority over old online
descriptions or photographs.
After returning from Prison Island, continue by vehicle to a local spice farm.
A farm guide will introduce the plantation and explain how different aromatic
plants grow in Zanzibar’s warm tropical climate.
Depending on the selected farm and season, you may see cloves, cinnamon,
vanilla, nutmeg, black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, lemongrass and
different tropical fruits.
You will learn how different parts of the plants are harvested and used in
food, drinks, fragrances and local household traditions.
Visitors should not pick, cut or damage plants independently. Touching,
smelling or tasting should take place only when the farm guide confirms that
the product is suitable.
Many farms offer packaged spices, tea, soap, oils or locally produced
souvenirs after the guided walk. Browsing and purchasing are optional.
Products purchased at the farm are separate from the tour price. Check the
ingredients, quantity, packaging and price before buying anything.
Travelers should also check the food and agricultural import rules of their
home country before carrying unpackaged spices, seeds or plant materials.
The order of the two attractions may change according to tide, weather,
boat availability, traffic, farm access and your pickup location.
Your driver will collect you from your Zanzibar accommodation at the
confirmed time and transfer you to Stone Town or the first attraction
selected for that day’s itinerary.
Meet your local guide, receive a short safety introduction and board
the boat for the journey to Prison Island.
Cross from Stone Town to Prison Island while enjoying views of the
coast and Zanzibar Channel. Journey time depends on the boat and sea.
Explore accessible parts of the old complex while learning about the
planned prison, quarantine station and changing role of the island.
Observe the protected Aldabra giant tortoises and learn about their
origins and care while following all sanctuary rules.
Travel back to the Stone Town waterfront and continue by vehicle to
the spice farm.
Meet the farm guide and receive an introduction to the plantation,
seasonal plants and walking route.
Discover available spice plants, herbs, tropical trees and fruits
while learning how they are cultivated and harvested.
Smell selected plants and taste available spices or fruit when they
are offered and approved by the farm guide.
Browse available spices or locally made products. Purchases are
optional and paid separately.
Meet your driver after the farm visit and return to your hotel or the
previously agreed drop-off location.
Select your pickup location, number of travelers and preferred date.
Pay the displayed booking deposit online to confirm your reservation.
Pay the remaining balance in cash directly to the guide on the tour
day. Your booking confirmation and pickup information are sent after
the deposit has been received.
The complete experience normally lasts approximately 6–7 hours.
Total timing varies according to your hotel location, traffic,
tide, sea conditions and pace of the farm visit.
Yes. Pickup from your Zanzibar accommodation and return
transportation after the tour are included.
Yes. The Spice Farm may be visited first when tide, weather, boat
availability, traffic or other logistics make that order preferable.
Yes. The standard Prison Island and Spice Farm entrance fees are
included, together with the applicable fees shown in your booking.
A prison complex was constructed during the late nineteenth century,
but it did not develop into a normal operating prison. The island
was later used primarily as a quarantine station.
Visitors must follow sanctuary staff instructions. Do not touch
or independently feed the tortoises. Feeding is allowed only when
staff authorize it and provide appropriate food.
No guaranteed swimming or snorkeling activity is included in the
standard tour unless it appears in your booking confirmation.
Depending on the selected farm and season, you may see cloves,
cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, black pepper, cardamom, turmeric,
ginger and tropical fruits. Individual plants are not guaranteed.
Selected spices or fruit may be offered when available and approved
by the farm guide. Tell the guide about allergies before tasting.
No. Lunch is excluded from the standard combo tour. A meal should
be considered included only when it is separately selected and
shown in your booking confirmation.
No cooking demonstration or cooking class is guaranteed in the
standard tour unless it is specifically arranged and confirmed.
Many farms sell packaged spices and locally made products.
Purchases are optional, paid separately and subject to current
availability and the farm’s prices.
Travel by boat to historic Changuu Island, observe its Aldabra giant tortoises
and discover Zanzibar’s aromatic crops during a guided spice farm walk.
Pickup from your Zanzibar accommodation, transfer to Stone Town and the selected spice farm, and return to your hotel after the combined tour.
A guided Zanzibar combo experience featuring a boat trip to Prison Island, its historic quarantine complex and Aldabra giant tortoises, followed by a guided walk through a tropical spice farm. The tour order, plants and tastings may vary according to local conditions and seasonal availability.
Here is a proposed itinerary for your day tour to Prison Island and Spice Farm in Zanzibar. Please note that this is a rough estimate, and the actual times may vary depending on weather, road conditions, and individual tour pace.
Notice: Depending on certain conditions or at your request, the order of these tours may change.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel. Make sure to bring your sunblock, hat, sunglasses, and a bottle of water. Don’t forget your camera!
Enjoy a boat ride from Stone Town to Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. On the way, you’ll see the beautiful coastline of Zanzibar. Upon arrival, explore the historical island, home to the Aldabra giant tortoise sanctuary.
Spend an hour exploring the island, learning about its history as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s and a quarantine station for yellow fever cases during colonial times. Get up close with the Aldabra giant tortoises. Some of them are over 100 years old!
Enjoy the boat ride back to Stone Town. Capture some great photos of the Zanzibar coastline and prepare for the next leg of your tour.
Your guide will take you to a local spice farm. Here, you will have the chance to experience a different side of Zanzibar, far removed from the beaches and hotels.
Enjoy a local meal at the Spice Farm. The lunch typically features dishes made with spices grown on the farm. This is an excellent opportunity to taste the unique flavors of Zanzibar. (Check the additional services at the end of the tour booking)
After lunch, you’ll be taken on a guided tour around the spice farm. Discover how spices are grown and harvested, and learn about their uses in local cuisine and medicine. You will get to see, touch, and taste a variety of spices such as clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and many others.
The Spice Farm also offers a variety of spice-based products, such as soaps, lotions, and cooking spices. You might want to pick up a few souvenirs to remember your trip.
At the end of the tour, you will be transported back to your hotel, with memories of a day full of history, culture, and nature.
Please make sure to check with the tour company for the exact schedule and offerings, as they can vary.
We will drive towards your hotel.
Please note: The itinerary might be slightly adjusted depending on weather conditions and logistics, but we guarantee that all mentioned activities will be covered. Depending on certain conditions or at your request, the order of these tours may change.
The total price consists of two parts: the Booking Deposit that you pay at the time of booking and the Remaining Balance that you pay in cash directly to the guide on the day of the Tour/Activity. Please specify all the details and choose the desired date in the booking box on the right-hand side to check the exact pricing and availability.
To confirm your booking, you must pay the Booking Deposit using a credit, debit card, or PayPal. Once the payment is made, you will receive your Tour Voucher and your booking confirmation.
On the Tour/Activity day, you must pay the Remaining Balance directly to the Tour/Activity guide by presenting your Tour Voucher. It is not mandatory to present the voucher in physical form. Please note that the Tour/Activity provider only accepts cash payments for the Remaining Balance.
We require a deposit to secure your booking and ensure the high-quality preparation and personalized experience of your Zanzibar tour. This confirms your commitment to the tour and enables us to arrange necessary logistics, such as transportation, meals, and the engagement of expert local guides, to deliver an exceptional experience tailored to your interests.
There is no cancellation fee if you cancel your tour booking at least 14 days before the scheduled departure. If you cancel between 13 and 3 days before the scheduled departure, a 50 percent cancellation fee is charged from the paid deposit.
If you cancel within two days of the scheduled departure or don’t arrive at the meeting point on time, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee from the paid deposit.
You set the time with the guide after booking.
Drop-Off always at the original departure Pick-Up Point, but you can ask our guide to take you to another place if you wish.
Please have a look at our map:
Yes, you’ll have the unique opportunity to interact and get up close with the friendly giant Aldabra tortoises on Prison Island.
Yes, the tour includes all entrance fees to Prison Island and the spice farm, providing a hassle-free experience.
We provide comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles for transportation to Prison Island and the spice farm, ensuring a pleasant journey.
Absolutely! You’ll be able to purchase fresh spices directly from the spice farm to take home as souvenirs.
We really enjoyed this tour. The boat trip to Prison Island was nice and seeing the big turtles so close was amazing. After we visit the spice farm and learned many things about vanilla, cloves and local fruits. Our guide was friendly and explain everything very good.
The Prison Island and Spice Farm Tour was brillant! Booking from, easy enough. Prison Island had amazing history and the giant tortoises! The Spice Farm was like nothing we’ve ever seen. Smells were amazing. Guides were great, knew a lot. This tour is a must-do in Zanzibar, for sure.
Booked the Prison Island & Spice Farm Tour onlne. Really easy. The tour was amazing! Loved Prison Island, especially the tortoises. The Spice Farm was a feast for the senses, so many spices and fruits. Guides were knowledgeable and spoke good English. This tour gave a real taste of Zanzibar. Highly recommended!
I recently had the most captivating experience on the Prison Island and Spice Farm Combo Tour in Zanzibar, where I was taken on a delightful journey through history and nature, discovering the fascinating story of Prison Island’s giant tortoises and immersing myself in the aromatic world of Zanzibar’s spice heritage, making it a truly unforgettable and enriching adventure. The knowledgeable guides, picturesque landscapes, and the chance to interact with these majestic creatures and learn about the island’s spice trade made this tour an absolute must-do for anyone visiting Zanzibar!