6-Day Zanzibar Cultural Tour with Prison Island and Bawe Snorkelling

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the vibrant streets of Stone Town, rich in history and culture, with its narrow alleys and bustling bazaars
• 02 Swim with gentle sea turtles at the serene Mnarani Aquarium, a unique experience in Zanzibar
• 03 Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Bawe Island, discovering colorful reefs and an array of exotic marine life
• 04 Discover the aromatic spice plantations on a captivating Spice Tour at Spice Farms
• 05 Visit the fascinating Prison Island, home to giant tortoises, and dive into the island's intriguing history and beautiful landscapes

Embark on a 6-day getaway to Zanzibar filled with rich culture and scenic beauty. Explore the historic maze of Stone Town, discover the flavours of the Spice Tour, and snorkel among vibrant reefs near Bawe Island. Encounter giant tortoises at Prison Island and swim with sea turtles at the serene Mnarani Aquarium. Immerse yourself in Maasai traditions with a visit to an authentic village, rounding off an unforgettable island adventure.

You will have the chance to see, take pictures of, and feed the giant tortoises, which are the main attraction on Prison Island.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Zanzibar

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Zanzibar and Transfer to Stone Town

• After arrival, meet and greet our representative at Zanzibar Airport and transfer to Stone Town. Check in at Dhow Palace Hotel for leisure and an overnight stay.

2

Day 02

Stone Town Exploration and Spice Farm Visit

• You will start the tour in Stone Town of Zanzibar (Arabic: مدينة زنجبار الحجرية, romanized: madīnat Zanjibār al-ḥajariyya), also known as Mji Mkongwe (Swahili for "old town"), which is the old part of Zanzibar City, the main city of Zanzibar, in Tanzania. The newer portion of the city is known as Ng'ambo, Swahili for "the other side."
• Stone Town is located on the western coast of Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago. The heart of Stone Town mostly consists of a maze of narrow alleys lined with houses, shops, bazaars, and mosques. Since most streets are too narrow for cars, the town is crowded with bicycles and motorbikes. The seafront has wider streets and larger, more regularly placed buildings.
• Then you will be taken on a Spice Tour to the spice farms. Here, you will get a chance to taste tropical fruits, see spice plantations, and discover a variety of spice plants used as ornaments, flowers, medicine, and food spices. You will then be transferred back to your hotel for an overnight stay and leisure.

3

Day 03

Prison Island Visit and Bawe Island Snorkelling

• You will start with a boat trip to one of the islands located in Zanzibar called Prison Island. There is an old prison built in 1893, but it was later used as a quarantine hospital. You will have the chance to see, take pictures of, and feed the giant tortoises, which are the main attraction on Prison Island.
• Then you will go snorkelling at the second-largest coral reef barrier in the Zanzibar islands.
• The journey will lead you to the captivating Bawe Island reef, where you'll have the chance to swim alongside a multitude of vibrant fish species and discover the enchanting world of colorful starfish and graceful sea lions.
• After the tours, you will sail back to Stone Town mainland, and transport will be there to take you back to your hotel for an overnight stay and leisure.

4

Day 04

Leisure Day at the Hotel

• Spend your day at your hotel at leisure and stay overnight.

5

Day 05

Mnarani Turtle Aquarium and Maasai Village

• An excursion to the turtle aquarium is a must. Several of them can be found on the island of Zanzibar.
• The Mnarani Aquarium was built near the white lighthouse located in Nungwi, in a natural lagoon for scientific and nature protection purposes.
• When local fishermen find an injured hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the ocean, they catch it and take it to such an aquarium. The turtles are healed and then released back into the open water.
• The natural closed-off bay was formed so that visitors can swim with the turtles. You can even feed the animals if you buy food from the caretakers. The turtles do not hurt or bite; they tolerate the presence of people. It is a great experience for anyone.
• Then you will be taken to the Maasai Village, the first and only original Maasai village in Zanzibar. It was built by Maasai mums using authentic materials from the Maasai area in the north of mainland Tanzania, and it reflects their real home place, which they call "emanyatta."
• Here, you will have a short theoretical introduction to their history, culture, and tradition. Then you will be guided through the village, where you can meet the people and have the possibility to experience life in their village and some of their daily routine moments.

6

Day 06

Departure from Zanzibar

• Spend some leisure time at the hotel until it is time for your transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home (pickup will depend on your flight departure time).

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Pick-up and return airport transfers
• Pick-up and drop-off from the hotel for excursions
• All entrance fees to all entry points during tours and excursions
• Professional guide for all tours and excursions

What's Not Included

• Accommodation
• Medical insurance
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities for the driver/guide

What to bring

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Waterproof bag

Know before you go

• This package gives you 6 days and 5 nights to explore, experience, and enjoy your holiday on Zanzibar Island with the mentioned activities.
• Accommodation can be arranged by agreement with the customer.
• Our prices are for customers staying at Stone Town hotels. If your hotel is not around the Stone Town area, provide us with your hotel name and location, and we will reach you at an additional cost.

This package gives you 6 days and 5 nights on Zanzibar Island to explore, experience, and enjoy your holiday with activities such as the Stone Town Tour, Spice Tour, Prison Island, Turtle Aquarium at Nungwi, and Maasai Village.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Tour start

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.