The 15 best things to do on Zanzibar

The 15 best things to do on Zanzibar (other than sun tanning and swimming in the Indian Ocean)

1. STONE TOWN – feel the history in the walls

You cannot skip a trip to Stone Town. Stown Town and its buildings are full of history and stories of the ancient times when Sultans, Arabs, Europeans and Zanzibaris wrote the history of this beautiful island. You will visit the Anglican Cathedral and the Slave markets, the Palace of the Sultans, Tip Tip’s House, the Old Arabic Fort, Forodhani Park and of course you will see many of the famous Zanzibar Doors while walking in the petite streets. We will show you Henna Art and bring you to the fruit and vegetable market.

2. SPICE TOUR – Zanzibar for mouth and nose

During your tour on our community supported Spice Farm ZITO you will get an interesting insight in the wealth of Zanzibar’s spices. From Cinnamon Tree with 3 different flavors to lemongrass, cloves or nutmeg tree, our island deserves its name as spice island. You have also the opportunity to learn the Swahili way of cooking, fruit tasting with home grown seasonal fruits and buy spices fresh from the farm.

EXCURSION OPTIONS

3. BUTTERFLY CENTER & JOZANI FOREST – our jungle and our unique monkeys

Feed the butterflies and watch them fly close at hand while enjoying the peace and quiet of nature.
Butterfly Center is a project to empower and support women and her childcare. During a guided journey through the forest, you will quickly learn about the different species of monkeys unique to Zanzibar (and yes, without a thumb). After your forest tour and a short hop to the other side of the national park, there is an opportunity to uncover the magical world of the Zanzibari Mangroves.

EXCURSIONS

• Jozani Forest & Butterfly Center (Half Day) *
• Zanzibar’s Nature & Community (Full Day – Jozani Forest & Seaweed Center excl. lunch) *
• Fauna & Flora served on Spices (Full Day – Jozani Forest & Spice Tour incl. Lunch on Spice Farm) *
• Zanzibar’s Nature and its Capitol (Full Day – Jozani Forest & Stone Town with lunch in Stone Town) *
• Fauna & Flora on the Rocks (Full Day – Jozani Forest & The Rock & Spice Tour excl. Lunch in Upendo) *
• Fauna & Flora served on Spices (Full Day – Jozani Forest & Spice Tour incl. Lunch on Spice Farm) *

*Marked excursions are part of our program

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4. PRISON ISLAND – quarantine hospital and giant turtles

Prison Island is so called because of its first usage as a prison, which was built in 1893. But in fact it was later used as a quarantine hospital and is nowadays the home to the giant tortoises which were banned from the city of Stone Town. Enjoy a 30-minute boat ride with a view of the Stone Town Skyline, after arriving on Prison Island your guide will teach you the history and introduce you to the giant tortoises.

EXCURSIONS

• Prison Island (Half Day)
• Prisoner of Stone Town (Full Day with lunch in town)
• Prisoner of Stone Town (Full Day – Stone Town & Prison Island with lunch in Stone Town)
• Prisoner served on spiced Stone Town (Full Day – Stone Town & Prison Island & Spice Tour with lunch in Stone Town) *
  
  *Marked excursions are part of our program

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5. 1000 HANDS OF ZANZIBAR NORTH

On this tour we will take you to places where you will understand the 1000 Hands of Zanzibar. You will visit the fish market of Mkokotoni, you will see how the locals make nails for their dhows, you will see how palm tree leaves are used to make baskets, hats, mats, etc.; you will see how Zanzibaris build new dhows and repair old dhows, you will also see how the famous Zanzibar doors are made. You will see the turtle sanctuary in Nungwi and you will see a typical village of Zanzibar and how they live in mud houses. We will show you the real and normal everyday life of a typical Zanzibari and what they do with their hands, it is incredible.

6. 1000 HANDS OF ZANZIBAR – South

On this tour we will take you to places where you will understand the 1000 Hands of Zanzibar in the Southern part of Zanzibar. We’ll take you to Makunduchi where you will see how rope is made out of rotten coconut husks – you will see the whole process; you will see how this rope is used to make boats, beds and chairs. You will then go to the Seaweed Centre in Paje and there you will see how seaweed is planted, grown and manufactured to get oils, soaps, etc. You will see the local mud houses too. We will show you the real and normal life of a typical Zanzibari and what they do with their hands, it is incredible.

7. THE ROCK – ‘THE’ place to take a picture

You will also head a little further Southeast to a beautiful beach club right opposite of the world famous “The Rock”! Relax and unwind on a superb beach. Take some pictures of this unique place, chill with the amazing view of the coral formations and have lunch if you want before you turn back around towards your hotel.

EXCURSIONS

• Fauna & Flora on the Rocks (Full Day – Jozani Forest & The Rock & Spice Tour excl. Lunch in Upendo) *
  *Marked excursions are part of our program

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8. SEAWEED CENTRE

On this tour you will visit the Seaweed Centre to learn about Seaweed farming, which is the second biggest industry on the island. Located in Paje, this social enterprise creates opportunities for female seaweed farmers to improve their healthy standard of living and engage in economic development activities that benefit the whole community. Depending on the tide you will see how the women harvest their seaweed and understand the hard work that encompasses a seaweed famer’s daily life.
Afterwards you will gain insight in the processing center and factory located in the village. Here you get the rare opportunity to see how the seaweed gets transformed into desirable beauty products like organic soaps and essential oils.

EXCURSIONS

• Seaweed Center (Half Day) *
• Zanzibar’s Nature & Community (Full Day – Jozani Forest & Seaweed Center excl. lunch) *
  *Marked excursions are part of our program

9. Sunset Cruise ex Stone Town

After embarking from Stone Town you will enjoy a peaceful cruise along the shores of Stone Town with snacks and drinks and music to embrace our famous Sunset. When the winds are good, you will even sail in the Indian Ocean

EXCURSIONS

• Sunset Cruise ex town (Half Day)
• Stone Town & Sunset Cruise town (Half Day – Stone Town followed by Sunset Cruise

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10. TUMBATU – the mystique Island

Tumbatu is one of Zanzibar’s best kept secrets, as to enter the island you need special permission. Watumbatu are living as a very close, self- supporting community. Tumbatu has only one road to walk on but no scooters or cars. Even though they are living on the island where in the 11th century the Shiraz built the first stone building in the entire Zanzibar Archipelago. After arriving at the beach of Jongowe, you will see how the Watumbatu prepare their fishing nets, fish traps and how they build and maintain their boats – all by hand! In a short walk you will arrive at the school of Jongowe and learn about who built the school and the importance of the huge and old Baobab trees to the
community. You will see the difference between new and old sections of the village, and you will visit the house of a fisherman’s family. We will show you the unspoken secrets of Tumbatu, as they are world famous for witchcraft.

EXCURSIONS

• Tumbatu (FD with packed lunch) *
  *Marked excursions are part of our program

TUMBATU – special information:
As Tumbatu is a very special excursion and only possible based on the trust of the elders with their community of Tumbatu, we would like to provide a little extra information for the benefit of all, of which you should pay attention:

1. Please note that you may have to walk knee deep in the sea, while entering the boat or reaching the island, depending on the tides. Therefore, you need waterproof shoes and clothes which can be wet, but no beach wear!
2. The Watumbatu are very religious and do not accept our type of clothes. You have to wear a Kanga around your hip and for women a scarf/ kanga to cover your hair! NOT allowed is beachwear or shoulder free T shirts! Best is a wide trouser or long pair of shorts with a Polo Shirt or T Shirt!
3. Photographs are only allowed after you get the permission from our guide! No photographs without permission
4. Based on the type of the excursion, we are not able to serve you a normal lunch. Therefore please note that we only provide packed lunch with soft drinks. Only packed lunch with soft drinks
5. As you probably heard, it is very rare to get permission for Tumbatu, therefore we expect you to follow the rules of the guide and show respect at any time. Many of the Watumbatu have never been on Unguja! Show respect to the Watumbatu at all times and follow the rules of the guide.

*Marked excursions are part of our program

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11. Made in Zanzibar – 3 x SOCIAL ENTERPRISES in Zanzibar exporting worldwide

Learn about our Zanzibari production gems and be able to buy even on whole sell prices.

CHAKO – collects glass bottles from hotels and turns them into beautiful artifacts, which are exported to foreign countries. Besides getting the tour to understand how and what they do, you will also get to participate in making your own “something” from a bottle.

1001 Organics – a small factory collecting, cleaning, preparing and packing spices, ready to export – which are fully organic grown on their partner farms. You will learn to make your own Chai masala mixture using a blend of different spices.

ZALT – you will visit the production of ZALT which is using the hand harvest sea salt from their Pemba farmers. In their production they refine the salt with different spices. Make your own salt.

EXCURSIONS

• Made in Zanzibar (Half Day – only mornings possible)

12. STONE TOWN SERVED AT NIGHT – just magic

We are embracing the magic of our capital Stone Town at Night during a 4 course 4 venue guided walking tour. You will see Stone Town in a different perspective and pass also by our Forodhani Night Market.

13. Mena bay, Mangroves and Khwale Island

Leaving from Fumba, you are heading on a traditional wooden dhow towards your first snorkel stop. On the way you will hopefully meet Dolphins, playing around in the shallow Marine Park of Menai Bay. The reefs surrounding the sand bank are your second snorkelling trip; the underwater world will seem very different compared to your first stop. Enjoy the short trip with your boat towards your final stop where you reach the beautiful island Kwale, and our crew will be waiting for you! Depending on the tides you may stop in a very special place, where our boats are taking you into the world of an island full of mangroves for a swim. The tidal lagoon has centuries of history stored in its coral. It’s a different swimming experience with warm waters and a stunning location for photographs

EXCURSIONS

• The Safari Blue Classic Tour (full day on a shared boat with lunch)
• The Safari Blue Vasco da Gama (full day on a private boat with luncch)

14. CATAMARAN tour to Tumbatu reef

Leaving from Nungwi or Kendwa you are heading on this majestic 50ft Voyage Catamaran towards Tumbatu Lighthouse. Enjoy a nice snorkel stop, drinks and snacks on board while you embrace the Indian Ocean on a beautiful sailing catamaran. Late in the afternoon you are heading back to shore, where you will disembark in the sunset.

EXCURSIONS

• Catamaran (Half Day or Full Day on private boat)

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15. ZANZIBAR A LA CARTE – Car on disposal

Explore the island with your own English-speaking driver and if wanted even your personal guide in the language you require. You can enjoy the day and visit and see whatever you like. Our vehicles can take up to 6 people and are available for you for up to 8 hours.

EXCURSIONS

• Standard Car on Disposal (4 hours – 1-4 guests or 5-6 guests / with or without guide)
• Standard Car on Disposal (8 hours – 1-4 guests or 5-6 guests / with or without guide)
• Luxury Car on Disposal (4 hours – 1-3 guests / with or without guide)
• Luxury Car on Disposal (8 hours – 1-3 guests / with or without guide)

How to book?

All of the above excursions we can pre book for your Zanzibar stay. Contact us for prices and bookings.