
Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar worth booking?
Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar is a 3-hour experience in Zanzibar City, Tanzania, from $235 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (9)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $235 per person
Delve into the history of Stone Town, an atmospheric city that has served as the cultural heart of Zanzibar. Constructed from coral stone during the 19th and 20th centuries, it was later declared a World Heritage site. With your guide you'll also visit Changuu, aka Prison Island, once used to accommodate prisoners obtained from World War II and now home to giant tortoises.
What you get
About this experience
Delve into the history of Stone Town, an atmospheric city that has served as the cultural heart of Zanzibar. Constructed from coral stone during the 19th and 20th centuries, it was later declared a World Heritage site. With your guide you'll also visit Changuu, aka Prison Island, once used to accommodate prisoners obtained from World War II and now home to giant tortoises.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- All activities
Not included
- Drinks
- Lunch (meals range from USD $15-30)
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Prison Island - Changuu Private Island
After hotel pickup from your hotel, set out with your guide on a walking tour of UNESCO-listed Stone Town, Zanzibar's historical center. Explore some of the world's narrowest streets during your introduction to the cosmopolitan archipelago, which combines African traditions with cultural influences from around the world.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
From Town Hotels
Pick up from Town Hotels to the Spice and Prison Tour. Lunch NOT Included. Minimum of 2 people. Please make sure you have selected the correct pick up location otherwise you will pay the difference. Pickup included
From Central, Fumba,
Pick up from Central Hotels, Fumba, Mangapwani and Chuini Hotels to the Spice and Prison Tour. Lunch NOT Included. Minimum of 2 people Pickup included
From North/South East and West
Pick up from North Hotels, North East, South East and South West Hotels to the Spice and Prison Tour. Lunch NOT Included. Minimum of 2 people 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 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cruzeiro Safaris Kenya
Know before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- To avoid delays, please make sure you have selected the correct hotel, otherwise you will be asked to pay the difference upon pickup in cash
- Please verify your hotel in the list below and select your package according to your hotel location: STONE TOWN HOTELS: Al Johari Hotel, Asmini Palace Hotel, Dhow Palace, Khole House, Kisiwa House, Maru Maru Hotel, Mashariki Palace, Park Hyatt, Tembo House, The Swahili House, The Zanzibar Grand Palace, Zanzibar Palace, Zanzibar Serena Inn, Africa House, Tausi Palace Hotel, Hiliki house, Double Tree by Hilton (stone town) NORTH HOTELS: African View, Amaan Bungalows, Diamond Gemma Del Est, Diamond Star of the East, Double Tree by Hilton Nungwi, Essque Zalu Zanzibar, Flame Tree Cottages, Gold Zanzibar, Hideaway of Nungwi, Kilindi, Nungwi Inn, Ras Nungwi, Royal Zanzibar, Tanzanite Beach Resort, The Z Hotel, The Zanzibari, Mnarani, Sun Set Kendwa NORTH EAST HOTELS: Bluebay Beach resorts, Che Che Vule, Dream Of Zanzibar, Kasha Boutique Hotel, Mapenzi Beach, Matemwe Beach House, Matemwe Logde, Matemwe Retreat, Melia Zanzibar, Neptune Pwani Beach Hotel, Ocean Paradise, Shooting Star, Sultan Sands, Villa Kiva, Azanzi SOUTH HOTELS: Swahili Beach Resorts, Karamba Beach Resorts, Unguja Lodge, Breezes Beach Club, Baraza, Arabian Nights, Arabian Nights Annex, Casa Del Mar, Kichanga Lodge, Dongwe Ocean View, The Palm, Bahari View Lodge, Spice Island Hotel, Ras Michamvi, The Residence, Karafuu Beach Resort, Kisiwa on the Beach, Konokono, Sea View Boutique, Dhow Inn CENTRAL HOTELS: Tamarind Hotel, Pongwe Beach Hotel, Pongwe Bay, Uroa Bay FUMBA & MANGAPWANI HOTELS: Fumba beach lodge, Sea Cliff Resort & Spa, Hakuna Matata
Photos


What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Tour of StoneTown
My sister and I really enjoyed this tour - it was comprehensive and fun, particularly the trip out to the Prison Island where we learnt a lot about slavery. Stone Town is a great place to visit and following this tour, we felt comfortable in wandering around the area on our own.
via Tripadvisor
day trip
This was a day trip from our hotel, there are limited things to see as most of the history is gone, but the large tortoise's are amazing some up to 189 years old and large, you get to be up close to them
via Tripadvisor
Stone town tour &prison island with OMY.
This tour is fantastic don't miss this trip when you are in zanzibar actul we start city tour with our guide omy .alot of history and informations abt stone town and zanzibarian culture you will think like you back at school. we visit place like former east africa slave market ,palace museum old fort ,market etc.then we head to prison island we feed huge giant tourtoise and visit prison building also we did snocling at prison island. We highly recommend to booking with omy as your tour guide he is funny guy with good services. You can wasap him +255778881543
via Tripadvisor
Island is a paradise but Tortoises should be treated more right..!
I was fascinated the island itself, real paradise.. And i was thinking they are ”protecting“ the tortoises around but as i made a research i found out that they only make money out of them.. So sad, that they don’t even get proper health assistance as some of them have cracks on their shells and missing some parts of it.. if they can only be assisted properly they could’ve live more than how they were living at the moment..
via Tripadvisor
Review for Cruzeiro Safaris
Although the Stone Town walking tour and Prison Island visit were both great (our guide Masoud was also very good, props to him), I must say customer service skills in general for Cruzeiro Safaris is lacking. They ask you to specify where you'll stay during booking as they don't go to all locations, yet there was no field to fill this out in a form, nor do they give you a contact email where you can provide this information at. Weeks prior to our trip, we had our tickets and confirmation number, yet the night before the trip we still didn't know whether we'd be picked up as we'd had very little luck contacting Cruzeiro Safaris. Once in Tanzania -two weeks before the trip with Cruzeiro- we called the number listed on Trip Advisor and had what can barely be considered as a conversation with a person who barely spoke any english; he/she promised they'd call back, this never happened. Over the following days we tried calling back from a local number, but had no answer. Finally, the night before our tour our hotel was able to get through to them and confirm our pickup after having to repeat our information several times as it was clear they were having trouble understanding even when spoken to in swahili. Again, this review is for Cruzeiro Safaris, NOT the tour in itself or our guide Masoud which were great, but the experience leading into it was very lacking and I definitely would NOT book with them again nor would I recommend this company if you're not into ambiguity, lack of interest, and poor customer service skills.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $235 to $297
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Cruzeiro Safaris Kenya, who run 4 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.8.
See everything Cruzeiro Safaris Kenya runsWhy this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Zanzibar City.
How much does Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar cost?
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Prices start at $235 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 Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 9 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 Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar?
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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 Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar?
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Around 3 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar 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 Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; and All activities. Not included: Drinks; Lunch (meals range from USD $15-30); and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 90 listed pickup locations in and around Zanzibar City. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar 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 Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar?
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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.
What happens to Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar 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 Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar?
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Across 9 reviews averaging 3.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Full-Day Stone Town and Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including From Town Hotels, From Central, Fumba,, From North/South East and West. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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