Stone Town
A THOUSAND YEARS,
Two days inside the old town — Swahili, Omani, Persian and Indian history layered into a warren of coral-stone alleys too narrow for cars, with a spice farm and the old slave market on the itinerary.
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Spice farm included
- Walking distance
Year-Round Sunshine
Protected Reefs
UNESCO Old Town
Direct Operator Pricing
What you are walking through
THE CROSSROADS OF THE
For a thousand years the monsoon winds brought traders from Arabia, Persia, India and the African mainland to this harbour, and each left something behind. A Hindu temple, an Anglican cathedral and an Omani fort stand within minutes of each other.
It is also a town with a hard history. The cathedral is built directly on the site of the largest slave market in East Africa, and our guides do not skip over that.
- A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000
- Over 500 carved doors, each marking the trade and status of its household
- Guided honestly, including the slave market memorial
Day by day
YOUR ITINERARY
Price from
On request
per person, private group
2 Days
Duration
1,000+
Years of history
1
Arrive, walking tour, night market
Checked into the old town, then out on foot in the late afternoon — the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, the slave market memorial, and as many carved doors as your guide can get you lost among.
- Afternoon walking tour
- Forodhani night market
2
Spice farm and departure
Out to a working spice farm to crush and taste clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla, with a farm lunch. Then a free afternoon and your transfer.
- Spice farm and lunch
- Onward transfer
What you came for
THE HIGHLIGHTS
The Carved Doors
More than five hundred survive. Brass studs came from India to deter elephants, lotus carvings marked a merchant.
Spice Farm Tour
A working farm outside town where you crush, smell and taste the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla that named the Spice Islands.
Forodhani Night Market
The waterfront gardens fill with grills every evening — Zanzibar pizza, grilled octopus and sugarcane juice pressed in front of you.
Freddie Mercury House
Farrokh Bulsara was born here in 1946. The house is now a small museum, a two-minute detour from the main route.
Old Fort & House Of Wonders
The Omani fort dates from 1699. The House of Wonders was the first building in East Africa with electricity and a lift.
The Alleys Themselves
No cars fit. You will get lost, repeatedly and on purpose — it is the best thing about the place.
Timing it right
WHEN TO COME
Stone Town works year-round, but heat and festivals shift with the season.
June - October
Dry and comfortable
Lower humidity makes walking the alleys genuinely pleasant. The busiest season, and when the film festival runs in July.
December - February
Hot and vivid
Humid and intense, but the light is extraordinary and the night market is at its liveliest.
March - May
Long rains
Heavy afternoon downpours, but the town is at its emptiest and hotel rates drop sharply. Mornings are usually clear.
A look at it
STONE TOWN IN PICTURES
No surprises
WHAT'S IN,
Included
- Airport or ferry transfers on Zanzibar
- Accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- All guided excursions in the itinerary
- Entry fees for Stone Town sites and the spice farm
- English-speaking local guide throughout
- Bottled water on all excursions
Not included
- Flights to Zanzibar (booked separately)
- Lunches and dinners unless stated
- Travel insurance
- Watersports, diving and spa treatments
- Tips and personal spending
- Anything not listed under Included
Before you ask
STRAIGHT ANSWERS
How do I get to Zanzibar from the Serengeti?
Direct flights run daily from Seronera airstrip and from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Ninety minutes, and it saves a full day of driving plus a ferry.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzanian visa covers it. You will pass a short immigration check and need proof of travel insurance.
What should I wear in Stone Town?
Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim and Stone Town is conservative. Shoulders and knees covered is both respectful and cooler. Beachwear is fine at the resorts.
Which beach should I choose?
Nungwi and Kendwa in the north have minimal tidal variation so you can swim at any hour. Paje and Jambiani on the east have dramatic tides and suit kitesurfing.
Stone Town
READY WHEN
Send your dates and group size. We confirm availability and hold your place with a $200 deposit.