Zanzibar Spice Tour
In days past, Zanzibar was known as a spice island, exporting cloves, vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom across the world. The spices were brought over from Asia and South America and flourished in the tropical climes. Nowadays the plantations are a trib-ute to the island’s past, swapping spices for tourism, combining both in a spice tour, one of the most popular excursions on the island.
Depending on the season you are visiting, you can find anything from vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, lemon grass, cloves, ylang ylang, cumin, garlic, ginger, coriander, pepper, allspice, tamarind, chilli, oregano and more! Fruits can include banana, pineapple, jack fruit, custard fruit, oranges, star fruit, tangerine, passion fruit, mango, avocado, pear, papaya, grape fruit and many others.
from £ 35 per person
Stone Town City Tour
Follow the trail of the sultans, slaves and explorers in the winding streets of Stone Town. Your guide will tell you about the events that shaped Zanzibar, leading you through the buildings where it all happened, such as the former Slave Market and Anglican Cathedral, the House of Wonders and the Sultans’ Palace Museum, the Old Arab Fort
The City Tour is very flexible and can be adapted suit your interest and time frame, if you’re a shopaholic, culture vulture or history buff. If you want to hunt for antiques and souvenir shop, follow David Livingstone’s time in Zanzibar and walk the path of the slave trade, your guide can recommend and develop routes and itineraries that will optimise your time and get the most out of your trip.
from £ 35 per person
Jozani Forest Tour
In the south of the island, Jozani Forest is a wonder and delight, with tales of Zanzibar leopards, medicinal cures and stunning scenery.
The forest is home to a number of endemic species, including the Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey.
The monkeys have become acclimatised to people and allow you to get close to them to take photographs as they eat, play and jumping from the treetops.
from £ 40 per person
Prison Island
Prison Island gets its name from the prison built to condemn Zanzibari citizens to the isolation of the island, looking out at the coast. Previously owned by an Arab to house his rebellious slaves, the prison was never used, and the island is now home to a tortoise sanctuary, prison ruins and hotel.
Prison Island is 20 minutes away from Stone Town by boat and has spectacular coral reefs to enjoy while snorkelling. Giant tortoises shuffle through the trees, with the patience that old age brings you. Originally thought to be from the Comoros Islands and Seychelles, some of these tortoises are said to be over 100 years old. Stately and lumbering, the tortoises have even been known to take children on a ride.
You can explore one of the hiking trails, snorkel in the crystal clear waters in search of colourful tropical fish darting through the reef or soak up some sun on the powder white beach. Thatched bandas are dotted along the waterfront, available for hire if you wish to stay for the night. The Prison Island excursion is a great companion to a morning city tour. After an eventful morning of walking through the busy streets of Zanzibar, you can enjoy this slow and relaxing island excursion.
from £ 30 per person
Kizimkazi Boat Trip – Dolphin spotting
Take a one hour drive from to Stone Town to Kizimkazi, on Zanzibar’s southcoast for a day of dolphin spotting. Kizimkazi is home to large numbers of bottle-nosed and spinner dolphins, beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish.
On arrival, you’re given a short saf ety briefing and the dos and don’ts when faced with these wild animals. Then, you board a traditional ocean going dhow and set sail on the Indian Ocean in search of dolphins.
You can get as close as 10 to 20 metres away from the dolphins. Sleek and grey, they jack-knife through the water, sometimes showing off with jumps and twists. In the past, some tourists have been lucky enough to swim and snorkel with these magical animals. However, the dolphins aren’t tame, and can be shy and elusive. Although visitors see dolphins on the majority of outings, there are no guarantees. Whether you’re fortunate enough to see dolphins or not, you can enjoy two hours sailing and taking in the sights of the ocean. There’s superb snorkelling in the pristine coral reef and swimming in the clear, warm water of the Indian Ocean. You’ll return to the beach for lunch, where you can swim in the shallower waters and talk to the crew, who can tell you sea stories about the one that got away.
from £ 75 per person
Safari Blue
A full day excursion on a traditional sailing dhows, Sa-fari Blue starts from Fumba, the perfect starting point to explore Menai Bay, an official Conservation Area. Home to beautiful uninhabited islands, the area is stunning, frequented by humpback and bottlenose dolphins.
On arrival at Fumba, clients are given a briefing on Safari Blue and then you board your dhow and you’re off to explore the bay. Dolphins are sighted on approximately 90% of trips. Anchor is dropped at the Kwale sandbank, where sunshades are set up and guests have the chance to go snorkelling in the coral reefs, helped by the guides.
After snorkelling, you’ll be offered refreshments to whet your appetite before heading to Kwale Island, for lunch under the tamarin d trees. Drinks are served throughou the day and lunch is a buffet of grilled fish, lobster, calamari, c hicken and rice, with a tasting of tropical fruits.
After lunch, you can sunbathe, snooze or visit the beautiful mangrove lagoon. Depending on the tide, you may be able to take a swim in the lagoon. For the adventurous, join the crew to sail in an “ngalawa”, a local outrigger canoe but be careful not to tip the boat! Then it’s back to Fumba for around 5:30pm.
from £ 95 per person
Sandbank Picnic
Experience the way Livingstone felt discovering untouched land and sail away with us to sandbanks around the magnificent island of Unguja, Zanzibar. Come on board our traditionally crafted dhows, put your feet up and allow our staff to pamper you as the Sultans of Zanzibar were once upon a time.
We set sail to find an untouched sandbank an hour away from Stone Town. Swim in the crystal clear blue water around the sandbank and snorkel to discover a whole new underwater world filled with marine life and corals of brilliant colours. Tables are set out on the golden sand and a five star seafood lunch extravaganza, prepared by the talented chefs from the Zanzibar Serena Inn will await you. After lunch relax on the sandbank listening to the hush of waves lapping against the shore o r discover more underwater life around it and listen to stories from our crew about sailing the seven seas. Then sail off to Prison Island. It is now home to a tortoise sanctuary, the prison ruins and a hotel. Watch the giant tortoises shuffle through the trees, with the patience that old age brings. We will slowly sail back to Stone Town, after a day of relaxation and fun. This excursion is suitable for anyone, from those who wish to completely relax to those who want adventure and excitement…Karibu onboard with us for a day!
from £ 65 per person
Sunset Dhow Cruises
Step onto the deck of our vessels, relax and let us sail you away on a magical sunset cruise to end your day. Our sunset cruises leave Stone Town in the late afternoon to cruise along the coast, slicing through the clear turquoise water.
The sounds of the bustle of busy people in Stone Town grow faint in the distance until they seem only in a memory. Musi-cians take over playing songs of love and loss, as the bu tler serves canapés and keeps your glass topped up with your choice of a selection of beers, wine and sodas, encouraging you to sink back into the cushions and enjoy the romance of Africa while watching the scenery drift by.
Onboard our dhow we also have a personal guide who will accompany you on your cruise and give you a tour of Stone Town from the water. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about Zanzibar.
The blue green of the sea contrasts against the clear blue sky. The sun sets, changing the sky from shades of pinks and blues to magnificent golden colours, as you sail back towards the glimmering lights of Stone Town in the distance, the wind gently blowing you back to shore. Returning to Stone Town in the evening to the shores of Serena Hotel, we guarantee blissful relaxation after hours of luxurious sailing around the beautiful island of Unguja.
from £ 40 per person
Princess Salme Tour
Princess Salme. Rebel, outcast, revolutionary? Salme sent shockwaves through Zanzibar, teaching herself to write, conspiring in a plot to overthrow her brother, becoming pregnant and eloping to Germany with a young merchant, Heinrich Ruete and writing the sensational Memoirs of an Arabian Princess.
This tour takes you to Mtoni Palace, where Salme was born in 1844, the daughter of Sultan Said and one of his secondary wives. She spent her childhood in the palace, served by slaves and playing in the gardens. You’ll then head to Marhubi Palace, built by Sultan Barghash, Salme’s older brother, who she helped to escape after a failed attempt to overthr ow their brother, Sultan Majid. From here, you’ll travel to Stone Town, where the princess lived in a relative exile, unmarried and shunned by her family for her role in the intrigue. The Palace Museum has a room dedicated to Salme’s life and writings. Your guide will take you to her house, where her romance with Heinrich Ruete began across the balconies, resulting in secret trysts and meetings in the countryside. The tour ends at the Gallery Bookshop, where you can buy Salme’s book, Memoirs of an Arabian Princess, available in many languages.
from £ 30 per person
