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A person crouching beside a large tortoise in a natural setting with trees in the background. 1
Two children interacting with a tortoise on a paved path in a natural setting. 2
A person petting a large tortoise in a natural setting with a wooden fence and greenery. 3
A person interacting with a tortoise in a natural setting with trees and foliage. 4
A person crouching next to a tortoise on a paved area with a thatched-roof structure in the background. 5
By ZANTIDES TOURS AND SAFARIS
Free cancellation available
Price is €40 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages

Overview

    • Meet the famous giant Aldabra tortoises on Prison Island
    • Enjoy a scenic boat ride across Zanzibar’s turquoise waters
    • Explore the fascinating history and attractions of Changuu Island
    • See giant tortoises up close and learn about their unique behaviour
    • Capture beautiful photos of Prison Island and the surrounding ocean views

Activity location

    • Prison Island
    • Zanzibar, Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • R5RR+9MJ, Mizingani Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania | Meet at the main entrance of Mizingani Seafront Hotel, Stone Town, Zanzibar. The guide will be waiting at the entrance and holding a Zantides Tours and Safaris sign for easy identification.
    • Zanzibar, Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Private Tour Only – No Entry Fees, No Transport

  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Private guided tour only. Entry fees are not included, and transport is not provided. Guests arrange and pay for their own transport to and from the meeting point.

Price details
€40.05 x 2 Adults€80.10
Total
Price is €80.10

Private Tour – Entry Fees Included, No Transport

  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Private guided tour with all entry fees included. Transport is not provided. Guests are responsible for arranging their own transport to the meeting point, between activities, and back to their accommodation.

Price details
€71.20 x 2 Adults€142.40
Total
Price is €142.40

Private Tour – Stone Town Guests Only With Entry Fees

  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Private guided tour a d entry fees included exclusively for guests staying in Stone Town. Due to narrow streets, some hotels may not be accessible by vehicle, so the guide may meet guests at their hotel and walk with them to the tour starting point.

Price details
€71.20 x 2 Adults€142.40
Total
Price is €142.40

Private Tour with Hotel Pickup (West Zanzibar Only)

  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Private guided Prison Island tour with hotel pickup and drop-off for guests staying in West Zanzibar. Includes boat transfer, Entry Fees and visit to the giant tortoise sanctuary.

Price details
€89.00 x 2 Adults€178.00
Total
Price is €178.00

Private Tour with Hotel Pickup (Anywhere in Zanzibar)

  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Private guided Prison Island tour with hotel pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Zanzibar. Includes boat transfer, entry fees and visit to the giant tortoise sanctuary for a complete experience.

Price details
€111.25 x 2 Adults€222.50
Total
Price is €222.50

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Boat transfer to Prison Island and back
  • Inclusions
    Professional local guide
  • Inclusions
    Entrance to giant tortoise sanctuary
  • Inclusions
    Guided island tour and history explanation
  • Inclusions
    Bottled drinking water
  • Exclusions
    Hotel pickup and drop-off ( unless if selected
  • Exclusions
    Food and drinks not mentioned in inclusions
  • Exclusions
    Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Exclusions
    Tips and service charge for guide/boat crew
  • Exclusions
    Travel insurance

Know before you book

    • Not allowed: Feeding animals, Littering
    • Not suitable for: People over 95 years
    • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
    • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

What you can expect

  • Discover the fascinating history and wildlife of Zanzibar on a memorable Prison Island Giant Tortoise Sanctuary Experience. Take a scenic boat ride across the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean to Changuu Island, commonly known as Prison Island, and explore one of Zanzibar’s most popular island attractions.

    Your experience begins with a boat journey from Zanzibar towards Prison Island. Enjoy beautiful views of the ocean, coastline, and surrounding islands as you travel across the water. The boat ride itself offers great opportunities to take photographs and enjoy the tropical scenery.

    When you arrive on Prison Island, meet your local guide and begin exploring the island. Learn about the island’s interesting history and discover the old buildings and structures that remain from its past.

    The main highlight of the experience is a visit to the Giant Tortoise Sanctuary. Prison Island is famous for its impressive Aldabra giant tortoises, some of which are very large and can live for many decades.

    Walk around the sanctuary and observe these remarkable animals up close. Watch them as they move around, rest, feed, and interact with one another. Your guide can share interesting information about the tortoises, including their appearance, behaviour, size, and long lifespan.

    Take your time to enjoy the visit and capture memorable photographs. The giant tortoises are one of the most distinctive attractions on Prison Island, making this experience particularly enjoyable for families, couples, wildlife lovers, and photography enthusiasts.

    After visiting the tortoise sanctuary, continue exploring the island and enjoy some free time to walk around, take photographs, and appreciate the surrounding scenery. If conditions allow, you may also have time to enjoy the clear waters around the island.

    Prison Island offers a fascinating combination of boat adventure, island scenery, history, and giant tortoises. It is an excellent choice for travellers who want to experience something different from Zanzibar’s famous beaches while discovering one of the island’s best-known attractions.

    Whether you are visiting Zanzibar for the first time or returning to explore more of the island, this experience provides an enjoyable way to spend time on the Indian Ocean and discover the unique character of Prison Island.

    Join us for a memorable Prison Island Giant Tortoise Sanctuary Experience and enjoy a scenic boat trip, fascinating island history, close-up encounters with giant tortoises, and beautiful Zanzibar views.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Prison Island
    • Zanzibar, Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • R5RR+9MJ, Mizingani Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania | Meet at the main entrance of Mizingani Seafront Hotel, Stone Town, Zanzibar. The guide will be waiting at the entrance and holding a Zantides Tours and Safaris sign for easy identification.
    • Zanzibar, Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • R5RR+9MJ, Mizingani Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania | Meet at the main entrance of Mizingani Seafront Hotel, Stone Town, Zanzibar. The guide will be waiting at the entrance and holding a Zantides Tours and Safaris sign for easy identification.
    • Zanzibar, Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania