Escape to the idyllic islands of Zanzibar, where pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a rich tapestry of culture and history await you. Our Custom Zanzibar Tours offers a unique, tailor-made experience designed to match your interests and requirements, ensuring an unforgettable adventure in this tropical paradise.
Day Tours Start $160 pp (min 2)
For those of us who pine for a holiday on an exotic island paradise, it’s hard to do better than Zanzibar. There’s so much to do and see here, there’s no chance of getting bored.
Because the sights of Zanzibar are so wide and varied, we’ve constructed 3 separate Day Tours. You can do all 3 or just one or two. There is a minimum require of 2 people to start a tour.
Just let us know what suits you.
Stone Town, evinces both old world charm and its checkered colonial history. The past presence of the Portuguese, the influence of various Sultans from Oman, who were responsible for most of the imposing buildings made of white stone and also the British element can all be keenly felt.
What you’ll see in Stone Town
1 The Palace Museum: The current palace was completed around 1910. And stands on the site of an early palace, that was destroyed in the Anglo-Zanzibar (the shortest war in history at 38 minutes). The first palace was occupied by a series Sultans, who ruled in Zanzibar from 1698 to 1890 at which time Zanzibar became a British Protectorate, by 1963 Zanzibar was given its independence. No longer the home of the Sultan it now operates as a museum, and provides valuable insights into the family life of the rich and famous Sultans.
2 The Old Fort: is located on foreshore of Zanzibar’s town beach and in view of the famous Forodhani Gardens (which comes alive at dusk, the exotic food available here is extraordinary and an evening meal here is not to be missed). The Omani Fort (late C17th) was built on the ruins of an earlier Fort of the Portuguese. Ironically it was built to defend Zanzibar from its former colonisers, the Portuguese. In the late 1990s the amphitheatre was built and is now used for cultural events. Here you can wonder through grounds and soak up its rich history.
3 Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, was built on the site of the infamous Zanzibar Slave Market and completed in 1879. The site was selected by Christian missionaries in order to make a statement of protest about the injustice and horror of slavery. By 2013 the Cathedral was in such a bad state of repair that the European Union generously provided funds to restore the building to its former state.
Within the grounds of the Cathedral lies the East African Slave Trade Exhibition. The displays within the exhibition evinces a profound sense of the evil of slavery, which sadly, flourished in Zanzibar during the Sultanate from 1830 to 1873, at which time the British Navy ended this iniquity. You’ll be deeply moved by what you see and read here. It’s a call to never let this happen again.
4 Then time for a delicious lunch at our favourite local restaurant (included in the tour).
5 After lunch we’ll take a walk through the narrow coble stone streets of Zanzibar to Freddy Mercury’s House, which was the family home, until they moved to England 1963.
6 The climax this day of adventure is a short boat trip to Prison Island. Where you watch the giant tortoises saunter over the sandy shore, or take a swim, or just walk around the ruins of the old prison.
What’s Included:
Pickup and drop back within Zanzibar City. All entrance fees. Lunch. Boat travel
Our first stop is the Butterfly Centre about 30 kms south-east of Zanzibar city. This large netted enclosure is home to an extensive and varied array of butterflies. The vibrant and diverse colours displayed on their wings is absolutely amazing.
The inhouse tour guide will take you through the life-cycle of these beautiful and delicate creatures. From their silver cocoons, to the holding the leaves which the caterpillars to munch on, and to the mature butterflies you’ll be enthralled. Photo opportunities abound, the symmetrical designs, the juxtaposition of the vivid and bright colours on their wings are seminal for those looking for new ideas in design. The tour takes about 40 minutes.
Our next stop is Jozani Forest just a few minutes drive from the Butterfly Nursery. On account of the loss of native habitat from the colonial period, the government decided to set aside a nature reserve of about 50 square kms, in 1984.
Around 2005 it became a National Park in which we will find some unique fauna and flora. In particular the Red Colombus monkey is found in this forest. There are estimated to be about 5000 of them in the Jozani Forest. The Red Colombus is pretty chilled, it won’t accost you or run away, and is happy to sit, relaxed in a tree branch or play, while you take some photos.
It’s also home to a few species of antelopes and in particular the endangered species Alders’ duiker. A small to medium, brown antelope, colonies have been found only in the dense forests of Zanzibar and Kenya. Although hard to find they have been spotted in the Jozani forest.
The final point of interest in the Jozani forest are the trees. The forest is compromised of some remarkable vegetation; primarily the ancient Mahogany trees which are over 100 years old and up to 30 metres in height, there’s a relaxed stroll through the Jozani Mangrove Forest, on purpose built boardwalk.
In this forest you’ll learn a lot about how the locals use the various plants for medical treatments, we could call it nature’s pharmacy. And there are three types of trees that grow in the mangrove wetland, each distinguished by their specific root system but all growing together as one ecosystem. The ecological benefits of these wetlands in maintaining a balanced environment will be fully explained.
Please bring closed shoes and insect repellant, you’re going need them.
Our day tour will be completed with a meal at the iconic Rock Restaurant. The Rock established in 2011is the realization of Nigel Firman’s and Andrea Brunetti’s dream to build a community focused restaurant which blends the exotic island’s culinary history with Italian cuisine.
The ingredients for all the dishes on the menu are sourced locally, which means that the seafood and fish are harvested from the surrounding reefs, and your patronage supports our local fishermen. Moreover, the spices come from Zanzibar’s spice farmers.
You’ll be delighted the meals offered on the menu, which coalesce traditional Italian cooking techniques with the vibrant flavours and aromas of Zanzibari cuisine, while being immersed in the tropical ambience of the azure blue waters surrounding the Rock Restaurant.
If you’re looking for an immersive tropical island experience, which includes sailing and water activities, then this is the best Zanzibar has on offer. The adventure starts from Fumba, located in the south western corner of the island. You’ll glide across the pristine waters of Menai Marine Park in a superbly handcrafted wooden dhow, the visibility is amazing giving you a crystal clear view of the marine-life below and especially the dolphins. You can snorkel with them if you chose or just watch these magnificent creatures glide effortlessly through the water beneath.
There’re a few small islands to explore within the park, as well as an exclusive swimming spot within the mangrove lagoon, an excellent chance to just cool off and relax. We also include a delicious Swahili seafood BBQ, combined some exotic island fruit for lunch.
Our tour operator has been operating here for over 28yrs, and is committed to giving back to the community, exclusively employing locals and to preserving this pristine environment. That’s why traditional water-craft are used and not motor boats.
Snacks and drinks, likewise snorkeling gear, as well as transport there and back, are all included in the tour. This tour is a full day tour. Bring some sunscreen and a hat.
Thanks your interest in our tours. We’ll get back ASAP with an answer to your inquiry.
