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Things to do in Zanzibar City

Our most recommended things to do in Zanzibar City

Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank

1. Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank

Your Zanzibar adventure begins with a visit to Prison Island, purchased in 1893 by Lloyd Mathews, the British First Minister of Zanzibar at the time. Mathews constructed a prison complex on the island which is still visible today, however no prisoners were ever housed on the island and instead it became a quarantine station for yellow fever sufferers. On the island, spend some time exploring the area and discover the collection of over 50 tortoises that live here, some of which are more than 100 years old. Learn about why the tortoises call the island their home, as well as taking photos and feeding them too. The island is also home to peacocks and small antelope too. Once you’ve explored the island, enjoy the opportunity to cool off from the hot weather with a refreshing dip in the surrounding crystal clear waters. Spend some time snorkeling in the water just off the island and search for colorful tropical fish and vibrant coral reef. After you’ve worked up an appetite from swimming, relax on the sandbank with a delicious lunch including a seafood BBQ, Swahili cuisine, cheese, tropical fruit, and more.

From Zanzibar: Nyerere Park and Selous Day Trip with Flights

2. From Zanzibar: Nyerere Park and Selous Day Trip with Flights

Explore the impressive Tanzanian nature and wildlife while joining us for a day safari to Selous/Nyerere National Park. Fly early morning from Zanzibar to Selous/Nyerere National Park, the largest protected game reserve on the African continent. Enjoy a full day game drive and a bush lunch during the break-time. Fly back to Zanzibar late afternoon. You will be picked up early in the morning at the hotel you are staying for a transfer to the airport. At around 06.30/07.30 your flight will depart from Zanzibar to Selous Game Reserve/Nyerere National Park, where you will arrive at 07.00/08.00. At 07.00/08.30 in the morning your shared safari game drive will start in the largest Game Reserve of the African Continent, with a mid-morning coffee/tea break at 10.30. During the game drive you will explore the wildlife and environment of Tanzania. Our driver guides have a lot of experience about the area and the wildlife and love to tell you everything about it. Experience an authentic safari bush lunch in the middle of the National Park! At 12.30 a warm lunch will be served at set tables in the bush. After lunch you will continue with the game drive till 15.30, when you will be driven back to the airstrip for your flight back to Zanzibar. Your flight will depart at 16.15 from the airstrip of Selous Game Reserve/ Nyerere National Park back to Zanzibar, where you will arrive at 17.05 and will be picked up and brought back to your hotel.

Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure Tour to a Local Village

3. Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure Tour to a Local Village

Meet your guide at the office of the activity provider then drive along the main road going to Pwani Majangani, for about 4 km. The tour usually stops for a few minutes at a local shop where you can buy some food to offer as a present to the village. After this small pit stop, you leave the tarmac road to ride the quad off-road through the rice fields, where your guide stops for about 15 minutes to explain the economy, culture, and habits of the villages in the middle part of the island. After this explanation, the excursion goes ahead through the environment of the island to arrive at the local village, where you'll stop for about 1 hour. Travelers will have the opportunity to stay with the children, play with them, and be in contact with the community of the village. After this first contact, your guide will offer guests local fresh fruits (Madafu, seasonal fresh fruit). Next, head to the House of Mad, a typical home in the rural village, as your guide discusses the life and culture of the Zanzibarian people. Before getting back on the quad, visit plantations of cinnamon, cloves, lemon grass, and other varieties, which are cultivated by the people of the village. You finally leave the village riding to Pwani Majangani to reach the fishermen's village. At the village, you will stop for a few minutes to explain the difference between the rural village and the community based on the coast of the Island. Following the sand road, passing through the fishermen's houses, you arrive at the beach where you will stop for a few minutes before heading back to the starting point.

Zanzibar: Stone Town 3-Hour Walking Tour

4. Zanzibar: Stone Town 3-Hour Walking Tour

After a greeting and short briefing, you will be heading to the old fort which is also known as the Arab fort, the house of wonders, and then to Forodhani Gardens, a darajani fruits and spice market, and the Zanzibar ferry terminal. The tour also includes visits to the Freddie Mercury house, Zanzibar Curio Shop, Jaws Corner coffee shop, and more. Visit the Anglican cathedral, also known as the former slave market which was used for centuries as a hub for the East African slave market, whereby slaves were hunted and abducted from Malawi, Congo, Zambia and other parts of east Africa. With your guide you will have enough time for some leisure time to explore the narrow streets alongside the curio shops. The tour will end after 3 hours.

Prison Island: Private Half-Day Tour

5. Prison Island: Private Half-Day Tour

This private guided half day tour can begin any time from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Meet your well-trained guide and boatman as your board your steam-engine wooden boat. Head to the prestigious island and enjoy the 30-minute journey.  Listen to the history of the island and discover the past centuries through the historical buildings, which have served many purposes over the years including a prison, chapel, and hiding place for slaves after the abolition.  Enjoy a swim or snorkel around the colorful coral rocks and turquoise waters. Play with giant tortoises and you may take photographs with these old precious creatures. If you do not have much experience or confidence in the water, you will be provided with a life jacket. 

Zanzibar: North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour

6. Zanzibar: North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour

The most popular beaches of Zanzibar are in Nungwi. This is mostly because the tides do not have such a huge impact on the beach. But, did you know that Nungwi is also the capital of local dhow manufacturing? Find out all about how these impressive sailing vessels are made and get the chance to see local craftsmen in action. Later, enjoy lunch including one complimentary drink at a local restaurant. After that, experience a real turtle sanctuary. Here, turtles are treated and healed of any illnesses before being released to the ocean. Get the chance to swim with these incredible animals and feed them.  All fees paid here contribute towards turtle welfare and the education of tourists on their impact on the local environment.

Zanzibar: Swimming with Dolphins and Snorkeling Private Tour

7. Zanzibar: Swimming with Dolphins and Snorkeling Private Tour

Get picked up from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and head to the Matemwe fishing village or Kizimkazi village depending on conditions and hotel location, where you will be met by the captain. Here, start your journey to meet and have a chance to swim with dolphins. The captain will take the boat to locations well-known for dolphin spotting while maintaining a respectful distance. The well-equipped boat will travel to several spots to ensure time for dolphin watching and scenic snorkeling. Enjoy the beauty of the coral and the brightly colored fish. Along the way, savor some delicious snacks and fruits. After the tour, you will be brought safely to shore before being dropped off at your hotel.

Zanzibar: Changuu Island and Stone Town Tour with Lunch

8. Zanzibar: Changuu Island and Stone Town Tour with Lunch

The tour begins with a private boat trip to Changuu Island, also known as Prison Island or Turtle Island. The island earned its name after it was purchased in 1893 by the British First Minister of Zanzibar who constructed a prison complex here. Although no prisoners were ever housed on the island, it was eventually used as a quarantine station for yellow fever sufferers, and later became home to more than 50 tortoises who still live there today. On the island, enjoy some free time to explore the beauty of this wild paradise, and get up close to the tortoises that roam freely. Some of the tortoises here are more than 100 years old, and you can even get close enough to feed them and take photos. You can also find peacocks and antelope on the island, then cool off in the crystal clear waters during a snorkel session in search of marine life, colorful fish, and coral reef. After your visit to Changuu Island, head towards one of the most historically prominent and artistic destinations in East Africa, Stone Town. Upon arrival, admire the fascinating architecture of the town, which dates back to the 19th century, and reflects the diverse influences of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European cultures. Learn about how the town earned its UNESCO World Heritage status, and then visit the Old Slave Market and the City Market. Here you can shop for almost anything whilst soaking up the authentic East African atmosphere and meeting the locals. Once you’ve wandered through the market it’s time to visit the Palace Museum, the local House of Wonder, and of course Freddie Mercury’s former home. There’s also time for a trip to the Peace Memorial and the Natural History Museum before ending the tour with a delicious local lunch at a traditional restaurant.

From Stone Town: Private Tour to Prison Island

9. From Stone Town: Private Tour to Prison Island

Visit Prison Island on a private 3-hour tour, and discover the rich history and beautiful natural surroundings of this location. Meet your guide in Zanzibar, or select the option including hotel pickup, then enjoy the ride to the island on a traditional dhow. Learn how this small island gained its name and explore the place that is now home to more than 50 tortoises, some over 100 years old.   Feed the tortoises and take up-close pictures with them, as you keep a look out for the peacocks and antelope that also live there. After discovering the island and its history, take the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters off the coast amongst tropical fish and colorful coral. At the end of your tour, return to Zanzibar, where you’ll be dropped off in the city center, or at your hotel.

Zanzibar: Jozani Forest National Park and Dolphin Encounter

10. Zanzibar: Jozani Forest National Park and Dolphin Encounter

Begin your experience early, as the morning is the best time to spot dolphins. Start in the Matemwe fishing village, which is one of the oldest capitals on Zanzibar Island. While looking out for dolphins, dive in to snorkel among the wonderful coral reef and the variety of colorful fish and marine creatures. If the dolphins are in a good mood, you can witness them goofing around.  As you will be in their natural habitat, there is no guarantee you'll have the chance to swim with the dolphins; your guide will do their best to ensure they are comfortable so you can enjoy their beautiful energy, whether up close or from a distance.  The trip to Zanzibar Jozani Forest national park involves a visit to the high, dense groundwater forest. Home to the red colobus monkey, a rare species only found in Zanzibar, take the opportunity to get up close to the wild animals. Other animals within the park include blue monkeys, elephant shrews, and bushbabies. Proceed then to the mangrove, through which the conservation authority has built a bridge to allow visitors to observe the wildlife without trampling on it.  Next, stop at a local restaurant for a Swahili table buffet lunch. Before heading back to your hotel, make a short stop at the community project, Zanzibar Butterfly Center. Even though the site is not so big, it is a lovely place to relax and enjoy the moment before ending your experience.

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What people are saying about Zanzibar City

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 564 reviews

Unmissable!!! Palace of Versailles is of infinite cultural wealth, stroll through history, its narratives and beauties. Walking through the most well-kept gardens in the world also becomes an unspeakable experience, you have to come to delight in so many wonders!!

Magnificent moment! We were lucky enough to be driven by Harmad who was fantastic; he accompanied us everywhere we went, taught us a lot about the local culture… what a pleasure to meet people like him! Many thanks to Harmad for everything.

Such a beautiful experience. The atmosphere was relaxing, and the food was absolutely delicious. One of my favourite experiences in Zanzibar. Ahkmed was the best guide too!

Guide was friendly and knowledgeable. He went the extra mile to make sure we saw as much as we could during our tour.

Very nice visit Nice trip through time Lots of people at that time (end of July)