Tanzania · TOURS IN ZANZIBAR

The 15 Best Things to Do in Zanzibar

195 tours  ·  from $13 a head

Zanzibar splits neatly into a stone city and a coastline, and the good days almost all involve a boat. These 15 cover the old town on foot, the spice farms inland, the sandbanks and the reef, priced and timed with honest pickup windows.

From Zanzibar: Mikumi Safari Day Trip with Flights and Meal - The early pickup and Zanzibar airport routine
1-Day Tours, Mikumi National Park Safaris, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Zanzibar, Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

From Zanzibar: Mikumi Safari Day Trip with Flights and Meal

1.Mikumi Safari Day Trip with Flights and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,470 reviews · from $451Our pick

Leave Zanzibar early, fly to Mikumi National Park, and spend the day in a shared safari vehicle with guides such as Salim, Amos, Elias, or Gabriel. Expect elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and more, plus a bush lunch, drinking water, and return flights. The day is long, but the flight makes Mikumi possible without a long road transfer.

“Both the guide, I believe he's name was Elias, and the driver were amazing. so welcoming, funny and professional. We've seen lots of animals and had really nice bush lunch. would recommend it to everyone, it was a highlight of our trip.”

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Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure departing from Kendwa or Nungwi - Starting in Nungwi or Kendwa
Bike & Quad Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure departing from Kendwa or Nungwi

2.Quad Bike Adventure departing from Kendwa or Nungwi

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,233 reviews · 4 hours

Ride a 2024 quad for about four hours from Nungwi or Kendwa, following roads and rough tracks to beaches near Kendwa and Kaskazini, then a local village. Guides such as Charles, Nick, and Robert have led guests through safety practice, village visits, and photo stops. Expect dust, fruit, drinks, and a lively cultural stop.

“Great! Really dusty at times but still a really good experience with all sorts of terrains and visiting of the village and the beaches. Coconuts and pineapples were also amazing in addition to the unlimited water you got from the guides. A definite recommend.”

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Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour, Prison Island with Lunch - Stone Town: coral-stone lanes and a difficult past
Lunch Experiences, Prison Island Tours, Spice Farm Tours, Stone Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour, Prison Island with Lunch

3.Stone Town, Spice Tour, Prison Island with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,219 reviews · 6 - 9 hours · from $68

You’ll walk Stone Town with a local guide, taste spices and tropical fruit at Jambo Spice Farm, enjoy a Swahili lunch, then boat to Prison Island to see giant Aldabra tortoises. Guides such as Hasan, Ibrahim, and Ussman are praised for clear storytelling. The day is busy, sunny, and best for active visitors.

“The spice tour was the best. You enjoy to see and hear about many details related to Zanzibar spices and nature. The Prison island and Stone town tours are ok, but not something fantastic. Lunch was simple but pretty god. All staff were welcoming and taking good care we enjoy the day. Our guide, Abdullah, shared many interesting details always checking if we are having good time or need anything. I would recommend this tour as a nice day in Zanzibar to learn many interesting facts about local culture.”

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From Zanzibar: Day Selous Game Reserve Safari with Flights - The first game drive, from 7:30 a.m. onward
Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Zanzibar, Selous & Nyerere Safaris, Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

From Zanzibar: Day Selous Game Reserve Safari with Flights

4.Day Selous Game Reserve Safari with Flights

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,025 reviews · from $470

You’ll fly about 30 to 40 minutes from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park, then spend the day in a shared 4x4 with an experienced guide such as Eli, Herman, or Steven. Expect lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and more, plus tea, a warm bush lunch, and an afternoon flight back.

“Everything was utterly amazing and outstanding. Eli our guide was unbelievably knowledgeable and entertaining too which was a wonderful bonus . The whole experience from start to finish was incredibly well organised and everyone was so kind and caring . We felt completely safe and do not visit Zanzibar without doing this day trip . It was run like clockwork . We did have a private Brand new jeep and we highly recommend doing the little extra if you can .. very very well worth the money .”

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Zanzibar: Prison Island and Nakupenda Boat Trip with Lunch - Prison Island’s cells and Aldabra tortoises
Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Nakupenda Sandbank Trips, Prison Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar: Prison Island and Nakupenda Boat Trip with Lunch

5.Prison Island and Nakupenda Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 882 reviews · 6 - 9 hours · from $39

From Stone Town, join guides such as Milano, Abdul, or Juma for a six to nine-hour boat trip to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. Visit old cells, see giant Aldabra tortoises, swim or snorkel, and eat a beachside seafood barbecue with fruit. Hotel pickup, equipment, drinks, and entry fees may be included depending on your booking option and date.

“We had a really great day on this tour to Prison Island and Nakupenda. At Prison Island, visiting the turtle sanctuary was a wonderful experience. We had enough time to walk around, take photos and enjoy the place without feeling rushed, which we really appreciated. The guides were fantastic, very attentive and always ready to help. They brought great energy to the group and created a friendly and fun atmosphere during the whole excursion. At Nakupenda, the lunch was excellent and very generous. The setting is beautiful and the mood was relaxed and pleasant. Small note: there were some jellyfish in the water. Of course this is natural and not…”

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Skydive Zanzibar | Tandem Skydive - The climb to 10,000 feet
Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

Skydive Zanzibar | Tandem Skydive

6.Skydive Zanzibar | Tandem Skydive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 877 reviews · from $545Top rated

You’ll train briefly at Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel, then join an international instructor for a tandem jump from 10,000 feet. Expect about 30 seconds of free fall, 5 to 10 minutes beneath the parachute, and a landing on Kendwa’s white sand. Photos and videos arrive shortly after the jump. Miguel and Carlos are among the instructors praised by name.

“Great staff, amazing views and good price, i missed only second person to do video and photo as its much better experience like that!”

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Quad Adventures in Zanzibar: Nungwi / Kendwa - Setting off on a new CF Moto 520
Bike & Quad Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

Quad Adventures in Zanzibar: Nungwi / Kendwa

7.Quad Adventures in Zanzibar: Nungwi / Kendwa

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 640 reviews · 4 hours

Set out from Nungwi, Kendwa, or Kidoti on a new CF Moto 520 ATV. Ride to a quiet beach for swimming and photos, visit Kilimani village for local culture and dance, then finish at Kendwa with fruit and refreshments. Guides may include Robert, Nick, Costa, or Casmena, and hotel transfers, photos, and video are included.

“Excellent day. We went for the afternoon slot. Guides collected us on quads as we were staying in Nungwi. First beach stop is to a lovely sandbank then onto a village before finishing in Kendwa at sunset. Would highly recommend!”

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Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch - Getting to Muyuni Beach and onto the boat
Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching Trips in Zanzibar, Lunch Experiences, Mnemba Island Trips, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Trips in Zanzibar, Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch

8.Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 591 reviews · 3.5 - 5 hours · from $21Best value

Set out from Muyuni Beach or add hotel pickup for a half-day trip to Mnemba Atoll. Guides such as Khamis, Ali, Ramadan, and Fransic lead dolphin watching, snorkeling, and fruit stops. You may swim near wild dolphins, though busy boat traffic can affect the encounter.

“Fantastic!!! amazing experience and the tour guys that we were on the boat they were very friendly and helpful. 🙏🏽 Great team and the vibe was great 😊 Felt a bit sorry for the dolphin that we kept chasing but hopefully it has get used to it.”

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Zanzibar: Prison Island, Stone Town, & Spice Farm Tour - The morning pickup and road to the coast
Farms, Prison Island Tours, Spice Farm Tours, Stone Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar: Prison Island, Stone Town, & Spice Farm Tour

9.Prison Island, Stone Town, & Spice Farm Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 579 reviews · 8 hours · from $70

Spend about eight hours exploring Zanzibar with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, boat transport, Stone Town walks, Prison Island’s giant tortoises, and a spice farm visit with lunch. Guides such as Abdul and Isaac are praised for clear explanations, while the main caution is a late lunch and long hours in the sun.

“Der Guide Samiri was a very nice guy. All in all it was worth it.”

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Zanzibar: Prison Island & Nakupenda Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch - Prison Island’s tortoises and colonial ruins
BBQ, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Nakupenda Sandbank Trips, Prison Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar: Prison Island & Nakupenda Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch

10.Prison Island & Nakupenda Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 554 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $35

Join guides such as Salim or Bahama for a dhow trip from Stone Town to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. See Aldabra tortoises, explore colonial ruins, snorkel in clear water, and eat a fresh seafood barbecue with fruit. The $35 price excludes a $22 conservation and island-entry fee.

“Salim our guide was excellent and gave us lots of information. Lunch was plentiful and tasty. The snorkelling at Nakupenda wasn't great as the water was choppy and visibility was poor, but overall the day was very fun and well organised.”

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Zanzibar; Prison Island, Nakupenda, StoneTown Tour with BBQ - Getting to Stone Town and finding the boat
BBQ, Nakupenda Sandbank Trips, Prison Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar; Prison Island, Nakupenda, StoneTown Tour with BBQ

11.Prison Island, Nakupenda, StoneTown Tour with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 457 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $71

Spend 7 to 8 hours visiting Prison Island, Nakupenda Sandbank and Stone Town from a single boat and land tour. See Aldabra giant tortoises, swim, try snorkeling, eat a seafood or chicken BBQ, and hear local stories from guides such as Mohamed, Yasser and Suliman. Hotel pickup is optional, with several languages available.

“We had a wonderful tour today that included Prison Island, Nakupenda Island, and Stone Town. Everything was very, very good! The driver was on time, picked us up and brought us back perfectly on time. The food was delicious. The guides who accompanied us – the driver, the boat crew, and the city guide in Stone Town – were all very friendly and professional. The atmosphere throughout the day was beautiful, and we are truly thankful for this amazing experience.”

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Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour, Prison Island with Lunch - Stone Town: coral-stone lanes and a difficult past
Lunch Experiences, Prison Island Tours, Spice Farm Tours, Stone Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice tour & Prison Island with Lunch

12.Stone Town, Spice tour & Prison Island with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 453 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $55

Spend a full day moving from Zanzibar’s fragrant spice farms to historic Stone Town and Prison Island. You’ll taste Swahili food, meet giant tortoises, ride a boat, and learn from guides such as Fahad, Ali, Mazi, Haji, and Hasan. The $55 price includes transport, lunch, soft drinks, and most listed entrance costs, but check your exact option before booking.

“The trip included a visit to the Spice Farm, a tour around Stone Town, and Prison Island. It was absolutely beautiful and extremely enjoyable. Our tour guide, Fahad, made the experience fun, engaging, and full of interesting information. I highly recommend this tour everything was easy, well organized, and enjoyable.”

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Zanzibar: Transparent Kayak and Drone (with Pickup Included) - Starting from Nungwi Beach
Kayaking & Canoeing, Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar: Transparent Kayak and Drone (with Pickup Included)

13.Transparent Kayak and Drone (with Pickup Included)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 427 reviews · 1 hour · from $45

Meet your instructor at Nungwi or Kendwa, then spend about 40 minutes paddling a transparent kayak off Nungwi Beach. You can see the seabed below while a drone captures aerial photos and video. Staff help with poses, paddling, and safety. Pickup, drinks, equipment, and drone footage are included.

“incredibly caring people. it was very important to them that the water and weather was good. I got collected on a quad so I feel I got 2 activities in 1 😁 such nice people and the photos were sent to me very quickly and turned out great. thank you so much to everyone.”

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Mnemba Island snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin - Snorkeling Around Mnemba’s Coral Reefs
Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching Trips in Zanzibar, Mnemba Island Trips, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Trips in Zanzibar, Tour Reviews, Tours in Zanzibar

Mnemba Island snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin

14.Mnemba Island snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 412 reviews · from $55

Set out from Mama Mia Restaurant, Nungwi, or Kendwa around 8:30 AM for a four-hour boat trip with Captain Barnaba Excursions. Look for dolphins, snorkel Mnemba’s coral reefs, and visit a sandbank if the tide allows. Equipment is provided, pickup is available, and groups are limited to eight people.

“We did this trip again on our last day to chance it :)) ...and we were able to swim with dolphins this time! it was breathtaking seeing them swimming underwater.... We also had a chance this time to go to the sandbank! Of course the snorkeling was great too. it was so nice to book it with the same guys again!”

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Stone town Private walking tour - The old slave market and Anglican Cathedral
Private, Stone Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Zanzibar, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Zanzibar

Stone Town Private Walking Tour

15.Stone Town Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 371 reviews · from $26

Spend about two hours walking Stone Town with a private guide such as Mohammed, Imran, or Ally. See the Old Fort, former slave market, markets, cathedrals, museums, Hamamni Baths, and Freddie Mercury’s former home while getting practical advice on food, tuk-tuks, shopping, and navigating the maze. Pickup is available from Stone Town hotels by request.

“Mohammed O. was a fantastic guide! Easily the best tour guide we had on Zanzibar! He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. The walking tour was a perfect mix of history, culture, and sightseeing. Mohammed made sure to go to all of the important Read more”

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New in Tours in Zanzibar

★ 4.2Parasailing Experience with InstructorFrom $9517 reviews
★ 5.0Jet Ski Experience from Kendwa Beach21 reviews
★ 4.8Stonetown Historical Walking Tour & Traditional LunchFrom $6022 reviews
★ 4.0Sunset Dhow Cruise ExperienceFrom $3922 reviews
★ 4.43-Day Selous Safari Trip with FlightsFrom $1,55022 reviews
★ 4.82h-Quad Zanzibar: Explore the heart of zanzibar by Quad22 reviews
★ 4.0Tumbatu Island Private Snorkeling Adventure TourFrom $7826 reviews
★ 4.0Swimming with Turtles at Salaam Cave AquariumFrom $5626 reviews
★ 4.2Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transferFrom $11027 reviews
★ 4.3Prison Island, Nakupenda, Stone Town Trip with BBQFrom $4125 reviews
★ 4.7Half Day Trip on Nakupenda with Prison IslandFrom $5527 reviews
★ 5.0Nakupenda SandBank & Prison Island (Changuu Island)From $25026 reviews
★ 4.5Luxury Spice Tour With LunchFrom $4524 reviews
★ 5.0Prison island toursFrom $12024 reviews
★ 5.0Stone Town Historical and Cultural Walk with Ally JapeFrom $6023 reviews

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Safari Tours149Kilimanjaro Treks62Stone Town Tours62Snorkeling31Spice Farm Tours30Walking Tours33
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