Duration
Full day (about 6 hours)
Difficulty
easy
Departure
09:00 AM Daily
Group Size
Small Group / Private
Best Months
Year-round (Peak: Jun - Oct)
Prison Island and Stone Town Day
You start with the boat to Prison Island, about 30 minutes from Stone Town, to see the giant tortoises and the ruins.
The Expedition Narrative
You start with the boat to Prison Island, about 30 minutes from Stone Town, to see the giant tortoises and the ruins. After a break, you return to Stone Town for a guided walk through the old streets, markets and the waterfront.
The day is a good first introduction to Zanzibar. It is hot in the middle of the day, so we keep the walk for the afternoon, and you can end with dinner at Forodhani Gardens.
Daily Itinerary & Travel Movement
Your step-by-step journey from departure point to arrival and return.
Pickup and boat
A driver collects you and takes you to the waterfront for the boat. Times are approximate.
Giant tortoises and ruins
The boat takes about 30 minutes. A guide shows you the giant tortoises and the ruins.
Break and swim
Rest, swim and eat before the boat returns.
Lunch in town
Lunch in Stone Town while the heat of the day passes.
Guided walk begins
From about 3pm the heat drops. We see the places that close at 5pm first.
Streets, markets and waterfront
You walk the old streets, the markets and the waterfront.
Optional dinner
End with dinner at Forodhani Gardens, then return to your hotel.
Activity Specifications & At-A-Glance
Prison Island (Changuu)
East Africa Reserve
easy
Comfortable Pace
Full day (about 6 hours)
Roundtrip Experience
100% Protected
Flexible Reschedule
Who This Experience Is Best For
Carefully designed to be seamless, comfortable, and tailored to diverse travel styles.
Equipment & Services Provided
What's included
What Travelers Should Bring
Recommended personal clothing, gear, and essentials for maximum comfort and safety during your experience.
Timing, Schedule & Pickup Protocol
Scheduled daily departure: 09:00 AM Daily.
Do Prison Island first and Stone Town in the afternoon, when the heat drops. See the Stone Town page for the sites to visit before 5pm. Pickup time: we confirm it by WhatsApp the evening before.
Exact hotel or resort pickup time is confirmed the evening before departure by your local safari coordinator via WhatsApp and verified at your hotel front desk.
Complimentary pickup from Stone Town and major coastal beach resorts across Zanzibar and Tanzania.
Frequently Asked Questions & Guarantees
What is the weather cancellation & reschedule policy?expand_more
Are park fees, permits, and conservation levies included?expand_more
How does hotel or lodge pickup work?expand_more
Price on request
Choose your date and guests and send an enquiry. We reply with the price and availability.
Custom Safari Coordination?
Our local desks can connect this excursion seamlessly with your lodge and safari transfers.
Complementary Experiences in Tanzania & Zanzibar
Half day (about 4 hours)Michamvi PingweLunch at The Rock Restaurant
The Rock is a restaurant built on a rock in the sea at Michamvi Pingwe, on the east coast. You arrive by a short boat ride at high tide, or on foot across the sand at low tide, and sit down to a seafood lunch with the water all around you. The menu is built on seafood with Zanzibar ingredients and an Italian touch: grilled seafood platters, lobster, the fish of the day and a coconut tiramisu. The tide decides how you arrive, so we check it before we set the time. Tables need a reservation, and we make it for you. Meals are paid at the restaurant, and the prices are higher than in the beach cafes. Many guests follow the lunch with a walk on the quiet beach at Pingwe.
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A trek starts early with a briefing and a guide. You walk through thick forest on steep paths to find a gorilla family, which can take from a couple of hours to most of a day. When you find them, you spend one hour with them from a safe distance. Porters can carry your bag. The walk can be hard, wet and muddy. Visitors must be at least 15 years old and healthy, with no cold or flu, because gorillas can catch human illness. Permits are limited and cost a lot [ADD: current UWA permit price]. Sightings are very likely but never guaranteed.
Full dayVolcanoes National ParkVolcanoes National Park Gorilla Trek
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