Discover the History and Culture of Zanzibar: Stone Town Tour and Spice and Fruit Exploration”

6 Days
From $0
Activity Level
Light
Transport
4X4 Land Cruiser
Comfort Level
Luxury

Trip Overview

“Six Days in Zanzibar: Arrival, Exploration of Stone Town, Fruit and Spice Tour, Changuu Island Excursion, Swimming with Dolphins and Jozani Forest Walk, Departure

Itinerary

Welcome to Zanzibar: Stone Town Exploration and Spice and Fruit Tour

Upon arriving at the Zanzibar International Airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Al Johari hotel and transported to the hotel for a three-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

On the second day, you will go on a guided tour of Stone Town, a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 2000 due to its historical and artistic significance. Stone Town is a part of Zanzibar City located on Ungula Island, which used to be the capital of the Sultanate and a hub for spice and slave trade in the 19th century. During the tour, you will discover the unique architecture of Stone Town, which was influenced by various cultures including Arab, European, Persian, and Indian. You will also see the ancient coral stone buildings, huge carved wooden doors, and narrow passageways that were once used for the trade of slaves, ivory, and gold. Your guide will provide information on the Zanzibar doors, which are a historical treasure and depict the occupation and status of their owners.

On the third day, you will go on a spice and fruit tour where you will learn about the various spices and fruits grown in Zanzibar. Spices are an integral part of daily life on the island, used for food, traditional medicine, spiritual and cultural practices, cosmetics, tourism, and export. You will visit spice farms and see a variety of fruits such as papayas, mangoes, pineapples, and bananas sold by vendors on the streets and in markets. You will also have the opportunity to try the Durian, a fruit known as the “king of fruits”, which has a unique taste depending on its ripeness. You may also watch locals climb coconut trees and taste coconut water and the inner pulp. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try climbing a coconut tree yourself.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Al Johari hotel
Experience Changuu Island, Swim with Dolphins, and Explore Jozani Forest on Days 4 and 5

On days 4 and 5, you will have the opportunity to explore Changuu Island, also known as Quarantine Island or Kibandiko. This island has a rich history, having been used as a coral mine and a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s. In 1893, it was turned into a quarantine station for yellow fever cases, but it is now a government-owned tourist resort. While on the island, you can visit the prison cells and observe the collection of endangered Aldabra giant tortoises that call the island home. You can also snorkel in the surrounding waters.

On day 5, you will have the chance to swim with dolphins in the morning at Kizimkazi village. The bottlenose dolphin is the most common species in the area, and they can be observed fishing at sunrise. Swimming with the dolphins costs between USD 15-25, which includes a boat ride, conservation fee, and mask and flipper rental.

In the afternoon, you will go on a guided nature walk in Jozani Chwaka National Park, which was established as a conservation area for the rare Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey. You may also spot other animals such as chameleons, snakes, bush pigs, elephant shrews, suni antelopes, Sykes, Aders’ duikers, blue monkeys, and various bird species. After a full day of adventure, you can return to the hotel for dinner and reflect on your experiences.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Flame Tree Cottages
Day 6: Departure

On the last day of your trip, start off with a delicious breakfast featuring local flavors from Zanzibar. If you have some extra time, consider participating in a local activity or simply relax on the beach. In the afternoon, you will be transported to the Zanzibar International Airport for your flight back home.

Meals included: No Meals
Accommodation: No accmmodation

Expectations

AA Safaris has planned a trip to Zanzibar, an island located on the Swahili Coast of the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar is made up of several islands, three of which are inhabited by humans and the fourth being a coral island where seabirds breed. The island is known as the “Spice Islands” due to its production of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper. Tourism, raffia, and spices are the main industries on the island. The people of Zanzibar speak English, Swahili, Arabic, French, or Italian. The island is famous for its carved wooden doors and stunning architecture, which can be seen in Stone Town. In the city, you can explore the street markets and try local fruits, such as Durian, pineapples, and mangoes. You can also try your hand at climbing a coconut tree or go swimming with dolphins in the ocean. Afterward, visit the Jozani forest to see the rare Zanzibar Red Colobus monkeys and other animals like blue monkeys and suni antelopes. Be sure to take some time to relax at your luxurious hotel and enjoy the ocean breeze on the rooftop lounge.

Accomodations

Al Johari hotel
Spend your time in Zanzibar at this classic hotel located in the Stone Town, near the beach and the Old Fort. The 15 rooms are spacious and feature high wood-beam ceilings and 4 poster beds with mosquito nets. Start your day with a free continental breakfast at the rooftop bar and restaurant, which offers views of the Indian Ocean. In the evening, dine on a delicious meal of local spices, vegetables, poultry, meat and seafood at the rooftop lounge, where you can watch dhows sail by on the Indian Ocean. The hotel is conveniently located near the Zanzibar International Airport.
Flame Tree Cottages
Stay for two nights at Flame Tree Cottages, a family-run beach hotel located on the north coast of the island. This hotel is situated on the turquoise coastline of Nungwi and is a great place to relax and enjoy the beach. The hotel is close to some of the best diving spots in the area and you can also go swimming, snorkeling, and kite surfing. The guest rooms at Flame Tree Cottages are air-conditioned and feature a private entrance and outdoor dining area, as well as a private bathroom with a shower. The rooms also have a veranda and offer tea and coffee making facilities, as well as a toaster. You can relax in the hotel's private tropical garden, which fronts the famous north-west coast beaches.

Availability and Prices

Included
  • Transfers upon arrival and departure
  • Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
Excluded
  • All gratuities
  • Airfare to and from destination
  • Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Alcoholic beverages