2-Day Zanzibar History, Wildlife & Beach — Villa Included
From $390 / person
History, Wildlife & Beach — The Complete 2-Day Zanzibar Experience
UNESCO Stone Town Walking Tour
A guided walk through Zanzibar's World Heritage old town
Giant Aldabra Tortoises
Meet and feed giant tortoises, some over 100 years old
Traditional Boat Crossing
A 15–20 minute ride from Stone Town to Prison Island
Free Beach Day
Day 2 at Nungwi or Kendwa, with transfers included
Private Villa Overnight
1 night in our Swahili-modern villa with tropical garden and breakfast
Meals Included
Lunch on Day 1 and daily breakfast at the villa
2-Day Package Prices — All Inclusive of Villa & Breakfast
Price Per Person by Group Size
1 night villa accommodation · daily breakfast · Flexible — based on arrival time
| Group Size | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5+ People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | $390 | $270 | $230 | $210 | $210Best |
Accommodation cost is shared across the group — the more travellers, the lower the price per person. Price listed includes all excursions, accommodation and daily breakfast.
What Is Included in Your 2-Day Stone Town, Prison Island & Beach Stay
This 2-day package covers Zanzibar's history, its best-known wildlife encounter and its beaches. Day 1 combines a Stone Town walking tour with a boat trip to Prison Island to see the giant tortoises, with lunch included. You spend the night in our private villa with breakfast, and on Day 2 we take you to Nungwi or Kendwa for a free beach day. Prices run from $210 per person for groups of four or more to $390 for a solo traveller.
The Stone Town walk takes about 2–2.5 hours with your licensed guide, taking in the Old Fort, Christ Church Cathedral on the former slave market site, Darajani Market and the carved doors of the old town. From the waterfront a traditional wooden boat crosses to Prison Island (Changuu), where you spend about 1.5–2 hours with the Aldabra giant tortoises, see the old prison and quarantine buildings, and can swim or snorkel off the beach.
It is a good choice for families and first-time visitors who want variety in a short stay. It is the 2-day version of our 1-day Stone Town and Prison Island tour, with a villa night and a beach day added.
| Departure Point | Zanzibar Airport or your hotel |
| Departure Time | Flexible — based on arrival time |
| Group Size | Private & small groups |
| Languages | English & Swahili — expert local guides |
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Your 2-Day Zanzibar Itinerary — Stone Town, Tortoises & Beach
Day 1 is a full guided day; Day 2 is free time at the beach. Times are approximate and are planned around your arrival and departure.
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Day 1Morning · Pick-Up and Stone Town Walking Tour
We collect you from Zanzibar Airport or your hotel. Your guide leads a walk of about 2–2.5 hours through Stone Town: the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens, Christ Church Cathedral and the former slave market, Darajani Market, the carved doors of the old town and Kenyatta Road.
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Midday · Boat to Prison Island
From the Stone Town waterfront a traditional boat takes about 15–20 minutes to reach Prison Island. You spend about 1.5–2 hours there: feed the giant tortoises with leaves provided at the sanctuary, see the buildings put up in the 1890s as a prison and later used as a quarantine station, and swim or snorkel if you wish (snorkel hire about $10).
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Afternoon · Lunch and Villa Check-In
Back in Stone Town, lunch is at a local restaurant. You then transfer to our private villa to check in and spend the evening at leisure. Dinner is not included.
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Day 2Morning · Breakfast and Transfer to the Beach
Breakfast is served at the villa. Your driver then takes you to Nungwi or Kendwa on the north coast.
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Daytime · Free Beach Day
The day is yours: swim, snorkel (equipment can be hired locally), walk along the beach or have lunch at a beachfront restaurant (own cost).
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Afternoon or Evening · Departure Transfer
We drive you to Zanzibar Airport or your next hotel, timed to your onward plans.
Modern Luxury Zanzibar Villa — Where You'll Stay
Modern Luxury Zanzibar Villa | Private Pool & Spacious Living
Stay in our exclusive private Zanzibar villa — a beautifully designed Swahili-modern retreat set within lush tropical gardens. Your stay includes daily breakfast, fully air-conditioned living spaces, private pool access, and all the comfort you need to recharge between excursions. The villa is private, secure, and designed to feel like your own home on the island. It is in Shakani, a quiet coastal village in Zanzibar's West (Magharibi) district.
What Is Prison Island, and Why Visit?
Prison Island, or Changuu, is a small island about 5 km off Stone Town and the best place in Zanzibar to see giant tortoises up close. It is a short boat ride away, which is why it pairs so well with a Stone Town walk.
| What to know | |
|---|---|
| History | Buildings were put up in the 1890s as a prison, but they were never used for that; the island later became a quarantine station |
| Giant tortoises | Aldabra giant tortoises, first brought from the Seychelles in 1919; some are over 100 years old |
| Feeding | You can feed the tortoises leaves provided at the sanctuary, under staff guidance; please don't sit on or lift them |
| Swimming and snorkelling | Usually clear, calm water with coral nearby; snorkel hire costs about $10 |
| Time on the island | About 1.5–2 hours, enough for the sanctuary, a walk and a swim |
For more on the morning walk, read about Stone Town's landmarks on our Stone Town and Prison Island tour page.
Nungwi or Kendwa: Where Will You Spend Day 2?
Day 2 is spent on the north coast, at Nungwi or Kendwa. Both beaches are on the north-west tip of the island, about an hour's drive from Stone Town, and both have a small tidal range, so the sea stays close enough to swim at almost any time of day. On the east coast, by contrast, the water can retreat a long way at low tide.
| Nungwi | Kendwa | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | The northern tip of Zanzibar | Just south-west of Nungwi on the west coast |
| Atmosphere | Livelier, with a fishing village, dhow builders, restaurants and beach bars | Quieter and more spread out, with a long, wide beach |
| Swimming | Good at most tides; some sections are rocky | Some of the best tide-independent swimming on the island |
| Things to do | Village walks, the Mnarani turtle aquarium, sunset dhow cruises, water sports | Swimming, relaxing, sunset on the beach, boat trips towards Mnemba |
| Best for | Travellers who want food and activity choices | Travellers who want space and calm water |
Your driver takes you to the beach after breakfast, and the day is yours: swim, snorkel, walk, eat at a beachfront restaurant or simply rest. Water sports, boat trips and meals on the beach are paid locally.
For more detail on every coast, read our Zanzibar beach guide.
What Should You Pack for Two Days?
Pack for two very different days: a guided excursion on Day 1 and a beach day on Day 2. Your main luggage can stay at the villa overnight.
- Light clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for Stone Town
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals with good grip
- Swimwear and a towel in your day bag for Prison Island and Day 2
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone on the boat
- Some cash in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings for snorkel hire, optional museum entry, beach lunch and tips
Good to Know
- Ask before photographing people, especially in Stone Town and in villages
- Swimwear is for the beach and hotel; cover up when you walk through villages or towns
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in the street during daylight hours
When Is the Best Time for This 2-Day Package?
The package runs all year. June to October is cooler and drier, which is ideal for the Stone Town walk and the boat crossing. December to February is hot, with calm seas and excellent beach days. In the long rains of April and May showers are common, and if the sea is too rough for the boat, your guide adjusts the plan on the day.
| Months | Weather | What it means for this package |
|---|---|---|
| June – October | Dry, sunny and cooler | Ideal for walking, boat trips and beach days; the busiest season, so book early |
| November | Short rains, usually brief showers | Fine for touring; quieter and greener |
| December – February | Hot, humid and mostly dry | Excellent beach weather and calm seas on the west coast; busy over the holidays |
| March – May | Long rains, heaviest in April and May | Lower prices and fewer visitors; expect showers, and some beach hotels close |
Our Zanzibar travel guide covers the seasons month by month.
How Does This Package Compare with Our Other 2-Day Packages?
All four of our 2-day packages share the same villa night, breakfast and free beach day; only the Day 1 excursion changes. Choose the one that matches what you most want to see.
| 2-day package | Day 1 excursion | Best for | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Town, Spice Farm & Beach | Stone Town walking tour, spice farm tasting, lunch | Culture, history and food | $195–$375 |
| Stone Town, Prison Island & Beach (this package) | Stone Town walking tour, dhow ride, giant tortoises, lunch | History plus wildlife | $210–$390 |
| Prison Island, Jozani & Beach | Giant tortoises, red colobus monkeys, mangrove boardwalk, lunch | Wildlife lovers and families | $220–$400 |
| Safari Blue & Beach | Full-day dhow trip, two snorkel stops, sandbank seafood lunch | Ocean, snorkelling and seafood | $230–$410 |
The lower price applies to groups of four or more and the higher price to a solo traveller. Compare every option, including the 1-day tours and longer stays, on our 2-day Zanzibar packages page.
Questions About the Stone Town, Prison Island & Beach 2-Day Package
Pick-up from the airport or your hotel, all transfers, a guided Stone Town walking tour, the boat to and from Prison Island, the Prison Island entrance fee, lunch on Day 1, one night in our private villa with breakfast, transfers to and from the beach on Day 2, a licensed guide and bottled water.
$210 per person for groups of four or more, $230 for three, $270 for two and $390 for a solo traveller. The price falls as your group grows because the villa, transport and guide are shared.
About 1.5–2 hours on the island, plus the boat ride of about 15–20 minutes each way. That is enough time to visit the tortoise sanctuary, walk around the island and swim or snorkel.
Yes. That combination is our 2-day Stone Town, spice farm and beach package, from $195 per person.
We adapt the plan. A late arrival usually means Day 1 covers either Stone Town or Prison Island, with the other moved to the morning of Day 2 and less time at the beach. Share your flight details and we will plan the best order.
Yes. Feeding the giant tortoises is a highlight for children of all ages, the boat ride is short and the beach day suits families. We can slow the pace of the Stone Town walk for younger children.
Yes. The water around the island is usually clear and calm, with coral nearby. Snorkelling equipment can be hired on the island for about $10.
Yes. The Prison Island entrance fee and the tortoise sanctuary visit are included. Optional extras are snorkel hire and paid museums in Stone Town, such as the slave market museum (about $3–5).
Yes. The 3-day Stone Town, Prison Island and Nungwi package adds a day of swimming with turtles at Salaam Cave and Jozani Forest and a second villa night, from $320 per person.
Cancellations made more than 7 days before the start date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days may incur a partial fee, depending on bookings already made on your behalf. We recommend travel insurance.