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Zanzibar City
Outdoor activities

Outdoor activities

Our most recommended Zanzibar City Outdoor activities

From Zanzibar: Selous Game Reserve Day Safari with Flights

1. From Zanzibar: Selous Game Reserve Day Safari with Flights

Explore the impressive Tanzanian nature and wildlife while joining us for a day safari to Selous/Nyerere National Park. Fly early morning from Zanzibar to Selous/Nyerere National Park, the largest protected game reserve on the African continent. Enjoy a full-day game drive and a bush lunch during the break time. Fly back to Zanzibar late afternoon. You will be picked up early in the morning at the hotel you are staying for a transfer to the airport. At around 06.30/07.30 your flight will depart from Zanzibar to Selous Game Reserve/Nyerere National Park, where you will arrive at 07.00/08.00. At 07.00/08.30 in the morning your shared safari game drive will start in the largest Game Reserve of the African Continent, with a mid-morning coffee/tea break at 10.30. During the game drive you will explore the wildlife and environment of Tanzania. Our driver guides have a lot of experience with the area and the wildlife and love to tell you everything about it. Experience an authentic safari bush lunch in the middle of the National Park! At 12.30 a warm lunch will be served at set tables in the bush. After lunch, you will continue with the game drive till 15:30, when you will be driven back to the airstrip for your flight back to Zanzibar. Your flight will depart at 16.15 from the airstrip of Selous Game Reserve/ Nyerere National Park back to Zanzibar, where you will arrive at 17.05 and will be picked up and brought back to your hotel.

Prison Island: Private Half-Day Tour

2. Prison Island: Private Half-Day Tour

This private guided half day tour can begin any time from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Meet your well-trained guide and boatman as your board your steam-engine wooden boat. Head to the prestigious island and enjoy the 30-minute journey.  Listen to the history of the island and discover the past centuries through the historical buildings, which have served many purposes over the years including a prison, chapel, and hiding place for slaves after the abolition.  Enjoy a swim or snorkel around the colorful coral rocks and turquoise waters. Play with giant tortoises and you may take photographs with these old precious creatures. If you do not have much experience or confidence in the water, you will be provided with a life jacket. 

Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure Tour to a Local Village

3. Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure Tour to a Local Village

Meet your guide at the office of the activity provider then drive along the main road going to Pwani Majangani, for about 4 km. The tour usually stops for a few minutes at a local shop where you can buy some food to offer as a present to the village. After this small pit stop, you leave the tarmac road to ride the quad off-road through the rice fields, where your guide stops for about 15 minutes to explain the economy, culture, and habits of the villages in the middle part of the island. After this explanation, the excursion goes ahead through the environment of the island to arrive at the local village, where you'll stop for about 1 hour. Travelers will have the opportunity to stay with the children, play with them, and be in contact with the community of the village. After this first contact, your guide will offer guests local fresh fruits (Madafu, seasonal fresh fruit). Next, head to the House of Mad, a typical home in the rural village, as your guide discusses the life and culture of the Zanzibarian people. Before getting back on the quad, visit plantations of cinnamon, cloves, lemon grass, and other varieties, which are cultivated by the people of the village. You finally leave the village riding to Pwani Majangani to reach the fishermen's village. At the village, you will stop for a few minutes to explain the difference between the rural village and the community based on the coast of the Island. Following the sand road, passing through the fishermen's houses, you arrive at the beach where you will stop for a few minutes before heading back to the starting point.

From Zanzibar: Half-Day Prison Island Tour

4. From Zanzibar: Half-Day Prison Island Tour

Visit Prison Island on a private 3-hour tour, and discover the rich history and beautiful natural surroundings of this location. Meet your guide in Zanzibar, or select the option including hotel pickup, then enjoy the ride to the island on a traditional dhow. Learn how this small island gained its name and explore the place that is now home to more than 50 tortoises, some over 100 years old.   Feed the tortoises and take up-close pictures with them, as you keep a look out for the peacocks and antelope that also live there. After discovering the island and its history, take the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters off the coast amongst tropical fish and colorful coral. At the end of your tour, return to Zanzibar, where you’ll be dropped off in the city center, or at your hotel.

Zanzibar: North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour

5. Zanzibar: North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour

The most popular beaches of Zanzibar are in Nungwi. This is mostly because the tides do not have such a huge impact on the beach. But, did you know that Nungwi is also the capital of local dhow manufacturing? Find out all about how these impressive sailing vessels are made and get the chance to see local craftsmen in action. Later, enjoy lunch including one complimentary drink at a local restaurant. After that, experience a real turtle sanctuary. Here, turtles are treated and healed of any illnesses before being released to the ocean. Get the chance to swim with these incredible animals and feed them.  All fees paid here contribute towards turtle welfare and the education of tourists on their impact on the local environment.

Stone Town: Stone Town and Prison Island Private Day Trip

6. Stone Town: Stone Town and Prison Island Private Day Trip

See the National Museum of Zanzibar (rebuilt in 1883) and the Arab fort while passing along bazaar streets towards the famous Freddie Mercury house. See the old slave market, fruit market, and spice market — don’t miss the classic Zanzibar curved doors decorating the stone town.  After you have explored Stone Town, you’ll have an opportunity to take a short break before heading to Prison Island. Prison Island is also known as Changuu Island, the nickname came from the island being used by some sultans of Zanzibar to detain enslaved people. While you are on this island, you can swim and take pictures with giant tortoises. 

Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour and Prison Island Day Tour

7. Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour and Prison Island Day Tour

Take a walking tour of Stone Town, visit an organic spice farm, and explore the historic Prison Island all in one day on a full-day, guided tour of Zanzibar. Meander through a labyrinth of chaotic alleyways between towering limestone houses, and interact with Aldabra tortoises. Start your day with a walking tour of Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City. Relive the grander age of this port city as you stroll through the twisting streets and look at former palaces, Sultan’s Palace, and Arab mansions. Get an insight into the tragic history of slave trading. After your walking tour, drive to the plantation and learn why Zanzibar is known as “Spice Island”. Smell, touch, and even taste some of the crops grown on this Island and find out what the spices were originally used for. Finally, take a boat ride offshore to Prison Island, home to large land tortoises that were imported from Seychelles. Get to touch and feed these creatures living in a sanctuary. Also, learn about the island’s historic use as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s.

Zanzibar: Stone Town 3-Hour Walking Tour

8. Zanzibar: Stone Town 3-Hour Walking Tour

After a greeting and short briefing, you will be heading to the old fort which is also known as the Arab fort, the house of wonders, and then to Forodhani Gardens, a darajani fruits and spice market, and the Zanzibar ferry terminal. The tour also includes visits to the Freddie Mercury house, Zanzibar Curio Shop, Jaws Corner coffee shop, and more. Visit the Anglican cathedral, also known as the former slave market which was used for centuries as a hub for the East African slave market, whereby slaves were hunted and abducted from Malawi, Congo, Zambia and other parts of east Africa. With your guide you will have enough time for some leisure time to explore the narrow streets alongside the curio shops. The tour will end after 3 hours.

Zanzibar: Stone Town & Spice Farm Tour with Lunch

9. Zanzibar: Stone Town & Spice Farm Tour with Lunch

Begin your private tour in Stone Town, a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying Swahili culture, giving a unique mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. For this reason, the town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Start by exploring the Old Slave Market site and Anglican Church, before strolling through the narrow streets towards the City Market. Marvel at the fresh products and fruits and watch how locals buy and sell anything here. Observe the hustle and bustle of the fish auction. After this, take a sightseeing tour of the main buildings in Stone Town including the Palace Museum and the House of Wonder, which is the largest and tallest building in the town, also known as Bait-al-ajab. Continue on to see the Old Fort, Tippu Tip, and of course, the most famous, Freddie Mercury’s House. Also visit the Peace Memorial and Natural History Museum, amongst other attractions.  Next, learn about one of the main industries in the region: spices. Discover how the islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. For this reason, the Zanzibar Archipelago, together with Tanzania's Mafia Island, is sometimes called the "Spice Islands". There are many spice farms in Zanzibar and for the next portion of the tour, you will visit a real organic spice farm. When you arrive, the spice farm guide will describe how the spices are grown and used as medication and flavor in dishes. See spices like vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg, and many more. It will be possible to touch, smell and taste the spices and herbs directly from plants. Later, take the opportunity to join a cassava leaf harvest, make coconut milk, and practice some cooking. Even more, a coconut tree climber will pick some fresh young coconut fruits for you to try. End the trip with lunch at the spice farm and the opportunity to purchase spices from the shop (cash only).

Mnemba Island Tour, Prison Island, Jozani Forest, The Rock

10. Mnemba Island Tour, Prison Island, Jozani Forest, The Rock

Enjoy a complete full day tour to get to know a breathtaking highlights of Zanzibar, experiencing the natural beauty of Zanzibar with all your senses. Save time and optimize a good value for money. Explore Mnemba Island Atoll Zanzibar! Enjoy Snorkeling, swim with playful Dolphins, and relax on a shallow water Sandbank. Discover natural beauty of Prison Island! Witness The giant tortoise which is an iconic Zanzibar species. Visit Jozani Forest where you will interact in close proximity with our beautiful and friendly Red Colobus Monkeys. Visit The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar! One of the most iconic views of Zanzibar! We have exclusive surprise added values, free upgrades, and extras to make sure that this excursion is your special getaway in Zanzibar. Lunch at The Rock Restaurant is extra supplement.

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Zanzibar City

Zanzibar City

Frequently asked questions about Zanzibar City Outdoor activities

What are other things to do than Outdoor activities that are worth visiting in Zanzibar City?

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Other Sightseeing Options in Zanzibar City

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What people are saying about Zanzibar City

Customer service was great for the little hiccups I had. Boat driver was amazing. Guide was good and nice. At the end i was ready to not be haggled anymore after the boat ride to do other things in very touristy spots. Overall great experience with get your guide and will use it again.

Hyggelige og behjelpelige folk. Spesielt fornøyd med vår guide som kun hadde jobbet knapt en måned. Anbefales å ta denne aktiviteten tidlig på dagen slik som vi gjorde. Bra sammensatt og man opplevde mye på kun 3 timer! Marta og Ingrid.

This activity was the highlight of our trip. We really enjoyed it. Our guide was great. I recommend this tour it is an eye-opener. A big Thank you to our guide, Laura and Jo

Very much enjoyed the tour and the guide Juma is excellent. He is very kind, informative and knowledgeable.

Very nice activity. Great guide, her name is Aziza and driver Jumy.