
Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 27 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet worth booking?
Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet is a 7-hour experience in Zanzibar City, Tanzania, from $137 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 27 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (27)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $137 per person
Embark on a full-day premium adventure that captures the best of Zanzibar — from the historic streets of Stone Town to the turquoise waters of Nakupenda Sandbank and the giant tortoises of Prison Island. This trip offers a comfortable private transfer, a dedicated guide, boat trips, and a buffet lunch on a white-sand beach. It’s designed for guests who want a smooth, luxurious, and memorable experience. Tour Highlights; 1) Visit Prison Island (Changuu Island) – meet the giant tortoises and learn the island’s history. 2) Relax and swim at Nakupenda Sandbank, one of Zanzibar’s most beautiful beaches. 3) Enjoy a fresh buffet lunch with seafood and vegetarian dishes. 4) Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a local guide.
What you get
About this experience
Embark on a full-day premium adventure that captures the best of Zanzibar — from the historic streets of Stone Town to the turquoise waters of Nakupenda Sandbank and the giant tortoises of Prison Island. This trip offers a comfortable private transfer, a dedicated guide, boat trips, and a buffet lunch on a white-sand beach. It’s designed for guests who want a smooth, luxurious, and memorable experience. Tour Highlights; 1) Visit Prison Island (Changuu Island) – meet the giant tortoises and learn the island’s history. 2) Relax and swim at Nakupenda Sandbank, one of Zanzibar’s most beautiful beaches. 3) Enjoy a fresh buffet lunch with seafood and vegetarian dishes. 4) Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a local guide.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Drinks: Bottles of water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Novida, etc.
Not included
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Prison Island - Changuu Private Island
At Prison Island, you will able to See Aldabra Giant Tortoise, Peacocks, Dik-dik (species of small Antelope), Prison ruins, etc. An interesting fact about the Aldabra Giant tortoise is that they can live for more than 200 years. The Oldest one at Prison Island is 197 years old. They are one of the world's longest-living animals. Prison Ruins: This is a building that was erected in 1983 to host the Central Prison of Zanzibar. The Jail construction Started in 1893, In the same year, They had been a Cholera Epidemic in Egypt, and shortly afterward Bubonic Plague in Bombay. Since Zanzibar was the Main East African Port, Authorities decided That the Prison and other Erected Buildings were to keep in readiness as a Quarantine Station to proper control measures for vessels and their passengers to avoid the risk of an Epidemic in the Zanzibar Archipelago.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Nakupenda Beach Nature Reserve
Nakupenda is a name given to a Sand Bank that is located nearby the StoneTown, after the Prison Island trip we will go to Nakupenda Sand Bank where you will relax, swim and do Snorkeling. It is one of the best beaches in Zanzibar. Also, we will have a buffet based on your Selection, either Seafood Buffett or Vegetarian that will be fresh prepared at the Sandbank
120 minutes here
Stone Town
Stone Town is well known for its architecture (Buildings and narrow streets) also is one of the oldest cities in Africa and a former Trading destination in East Africa. On this tour, we will explore the Historic City of Stone Town sights which includes; Anglican Cathedral (former Slave market, House of Wonders (National museum in Zanzibar), Palace Museum, the Old Fort, Hamamni Baths, Catholic Cathedral, Freddy Mercury House, Darajani Market, and other sights.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
Pickup from Stone Town
Stone Town, Zanzibar: The price includes a tour price with a pickup from any Hotel in Stone Town. Pickup included
Pickup from Other Areas
Zanzibar: The price includes a tour price with a pickup from any Hotel in Zanzibar. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The Sultan Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 27 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
27 verified traveler reviews for Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Brilliant!
A brilliant trip and so well balanced, we got picked up by Karim in a very comfortable vehicle from Riu Jambo to take us to Stone Town where we got onto our boat to the beautiful Nakupenda for a swim and a delicious seafood lunch, just perfect! We then went across to Prison Island, our guide was amazing and very respectful to the environment and the giant tortoises. We then went to stone town and another brilliant guide, who pointed out all the best places and super personalised to for what you need. A great tour and another comfortable journey back with Karim. I would highly recommend 👌
via Viator
Fantastic Tour
This tour was fantastic and very worthwhile! I would say it’s probably worth skipping prison island as not much to do there. Nakupenda was absolutely the highlight and our captain Ibrahim was fantastic and super fun to be around. He did an amazing job on the bbq on Nakupenda and there was an abundance of food with a really amazing selection of sea foods and tropical fruits. The tour of stone town was interesting. Sayid was very knowledgable and gave us a lot of information about the history. Nakupenda sandbank was 100% the star of the tour, you must visit it during your trip to Zanzibar!
via Viator
Tanzania Girl’s Trip
Salum was very informative, prompt and eager to help. He, along with those that helped us made us feel safe and made our experience a great one! I recommend this company. Swan
via Viator
Great Excursion
What a great excursion. Prison Island, Nakaupenda and Stone Town. Hamed and his two colleagues gave us a great tour. Nothing was too much for them. The food was amazing and Hamed's knowledge of the area was first class. Would highly reccommend Sultan Tours.
via Tripadvisor
Fun and informative tour
We enjoyed our trip with Sultan Tours. The tour was us and one other couople. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed the sea food buffet stop on Nakupenda. If you plan to swim there, bring your own snorkel gear to see the reefs, snorkel gear is not included in the tour. My only feedback is that I would suggest doing the stone town tour earlier in the day, and the Prison Island / Nakupenda stops 2nd. It's hard to pay attention to a super informative and interesting tour while sandy and sunburned from a beach day. Sultan also offers very reasonably priced private car service to/from the airport. Much better rates than what the hotels and local taxi companies were offering.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $137 to $282
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by The Sultan Tours, who run 15 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.0.
See everything The Sultan Tours runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Zanzibar City.
How much does Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet cost?
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Prices start at $137 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Zanzibar City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Zanzibar City is not rushed.
Is Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 27 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Zanzibar City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Zanzibar City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Zanzibar City and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Zanzibar City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Zanzibar City?
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On Outty we rank every Zanzibar City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour, Stone Town Heritage Walk with local Guide, Zanzibar Adventure Quad with Sunset and Transfer Included. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Zanzibar City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet?
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Included: Private transportation; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Lunch; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Drinks: Bottles of water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Novida, etc. Not included: Entrance fees; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 271 listed pickup locations in and around Zanzibar City. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Zanzibar City. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet?
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Across 27 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, food and drink, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Pickup from Stone Town, Pickup from Other Areas. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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