Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour
Traveler rating
3.3/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour worth booking?
Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour is a 3.5-hour experience in Zanzibar City, Tanzania, from $130 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.3/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 49 / 100
- Rating
- 3.3/5 (3)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $130 per person
Once upon a time, Stone Town was the hub to one of the world’s last open slave markets, and one of the biggest slave markets in the world; the Swahili Coast presided over by Arab traders was active until it was shut down by the British in 1873. The slaves were shipped here in dhows from the mainland, crammed so tightly that many fell ill and died or were thrown overboard. Uncover the ancient slavery past on this tour as this excursion begins at the Dhow Harbour in Malindi, where slave ships brought their human cargo from Bagamoyo to Zanzibar. Then discover Livingstone’s House and House of Tippu Tip, explore the home of the notorious Arab slave trader and then on to the Anglican Church built at the old slave market. A short drive to Mbweni will bring you to Mbweni ruins, formerly a school for freed slave girls. Explore Mangapwani slave caves. Walk through the caves, which stored hundreds of slaves kept waiting for the monsoons and the arrival of the dhows to be exiled away from home.
What you get
About this experience
Once upon a time, Stone Town was the hub to one of the world’s last open slave markets, and one of the biggest slave markets in the world; the Swahili Coast presided over by Arab traders was active until it was shut down by the British in 1873. The slaves were shipped here in dhows from the mainland, crammed so tightly that many fell ill and died or were thrown overboard. Uncover the ancient slavery past on this tour as this excursion begins at the Dhow Harbour in Malindi, where slave ships brought their human cargo from Bagamoyo to Zanzibar. Then discover Livingstone’s House and House of Tippu Tip, explore the home of the notorious Arab slave trader and then on to the Anglican Church built at the old slave market. A short drive to Mbweni will bring you to Mbweni ruins, formerly a school for freed slave girls. Explore Mangapwani slave caves. Walk through the caves, which stored hundreds of slaves kept waiting for the monsoons and the arrival of the dhows to be exiled away from home.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Visit Dhow Harbour in Malindi, where slave ships brought their human cargo from Bagamoyo to Zanzibar. The scent of cloves hangs heavy in the air as stevedores load and unload sacks of the region's most valuable crops. Every day you'll spot dhows arriving from the mainland with deliveries of flour and other goods not available on the islands. Fishermen deposit their catch here early in the morning.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Explore Dr. Livingstone House!!! David Livingstone is probably the best-known of all the 19th century European explorers in Africa. Many of his journeys began and ended in Zanzibar, and he lived in this house before departing on his final journey to identify the source of the Nile. The house was built around 1860 by Sultan Majid and is located on the northeast side of Stone Town. It was used by Livingstone and other missionaries and explorers such as Burton, Speke, Cameron and Stanley as a starting point for expeditions into eastern and central Africa during the second half of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, the house was used by members of the island's Indian community for a variety of purposes. In 1947, it was bought by the colonial government and became a scientific laboratory for research into clove diseases. After independence and the revolution it became the Zanzibar headquarters of the Tanzania Friendship Tourist Bureau.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Tippu Tip's House is a historical building in Stone Town, Zanzibar, located in Suicide Alley in the Shangani ward near the Africa House Hotel and Serena Inn, about 3–5 minute walking time from the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens. It is the house where the powerful merchant and slave trader Tippu Tip (1837–1905) lived. The building was a private residence until the Zanzibar Revolution and was later converted into a block of flats. The large decorated carved wooden door, as well as the black and white marble steps, still testify the great wealth of the historical owner of the house.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Anglican Zanzibar Diocese
Visit Zanzibar Former Slave Market! Zanzibar was home to one of the largest slave markets in the world. Although the slave trade took place all over the island, three major markets saw the bulk of these inhumane transactions. The market in Stone Town was infamous for being the most brutal. The pit and the Slave Market Memorial is in the same location where enslaved people were gathered to be brought and sold. This memorial was created in 1998 by Clara Sornas of Scandinavia. On one side of the memorial is a mansion housing the slave cellar, one of fifteen low-ceiling chambers. Dim, suffocating, and with no toilets, these chambers were crammed with enslaved people, where they awaited the auction block. Captives were summoned to the yard and marched to the pit. There, they would be inspected by potential buyers.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Mangapwani Slave Chamber
The Slave Chamber in Mangapwani is about 20 km north of Stone Town and 2 km north at the coast from the Mangapwani Coral Cavern. The chamber was originally built by Mohammed bin Nassor Al-Alwi, a prosperous slave trader, to store his slaves. The Chamber is a underground cell that was cut out of the coralline rock, with a roof on top. Boats from Tanzania would unload their human cargo on a secluded beach, separated from the main Mangapwani Beach by coral-rock outcrops. The slaves were kept here until it was time to take them into Zanzibar Town for sale at the Slave Market. Many historians believe that even after the slave trade was abolished in 1873 by a signed treaty, the coral cavern was still used as a place to hide slaves and the slave trade continued illegally for many years.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Africa & Beyond Tours & Travel Ltd
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 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
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Disappointed
The first thing our guide said was we could do part of the tour to the slave cave because it had been closed for two years! We said then why was it on the tour description? We wanted to go! We did go but we had to wait for the supervisor to leave then the security guard let guard let us in. Also the guide was not as knowledgeable as he should be about Zanzibar. Eg. Question why do some Muslim women wear masks? He said they are shy instead of “ primarily as an expression of religious devotion, modesty, and personal identity.” He also didn’t know much about the slave trade. If we hadn’t gone to the church/ museum to read for ourselves we would have gotten almost no information.
via Viator
Wonderfull to see
Enock is a professional tour guide in Zanzibar, no one compares to him, we did a wonderful tour in #stone town&prison island, #nakupenda #visit#Zanzibar with #Enock#tour#guide
via Tripadvisor
Good tour and tour guide. Watch out for the vendors on the street
Very good tour. It would’ve been 5 stars but the street vendors were very aggressive. Also some man grabbed my wife on the shoulder while she was taking pictures. Our tour guide was excellent
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Africa & Beyond Tours & Travel Ltd, who run 29 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 49.3.
See everything Africa & Beyond Tours & Travel Ltd runsWhy this scores 49
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Zanzibar City.
How much does Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $130 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 Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 3.5 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 Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 49 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.3/5 across 3 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 Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour?
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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 Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour?
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Around 1 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 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour 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 Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour?
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Included: Private transportation; Bottled water; On-board WiFi; All Fees and Taxes; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 128 listed pickup locations in and around Zanzibar City. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. 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 Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour?
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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 Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour 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 Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 3.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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