4-Day Zanzibar Wildlife & Beach Package — 3 Nights Villa

From $920 / person

Tortoises, Monkeys and the Beach — One Activity a Day

Giant Aldabra Tortoises

Feed giant tortoises at the Prison Island sanctuary

Jozani Red Colobus

An endangered monkey found only in Zanzibar

Boat to Prison Island

A 15–20 minute ride from the Stone Town waterfront

Beach Day at Nungwi or Kendwa

A free day on the north coast, with transfers

3 Nights Private Villa

Our Swahili-style villa with a pool and garden

Daily Breakfast

Breakfast cooked fresh at the villa each morning

4-Day Package Price — 3 Nights Villa & Breakfast

Price Per Person

3 nights villa accommodation · daily breakfast · flexible start based on your arrival

From $920 per person

The price includes the excursions listed, all transfers, 3 nights in our private villa and daily breakfast. Send us your group size and travel dates for an exact quote.

Everything Included in Your 4-Day Zanzibar Wildlife & Beach Stay

This 4-day package is built around Zanzibar's two best-known wildlife encounters, with one activity a day and plenty of time to relax. On Day 1 you take a boat to Prison Island to meet the giant tortoises. Day 2 is a guided walk in Jozani Forest to see the red colobus monkeys and the mangroves, with the afternoon free, and Day 3 is a free beach day at Nungwi or Kendwa. You spend three nights in our private villa with breakfast, and Day 4 is a free morning before departure. The package costs from $920 per person.

Prison Island (Changuu) is a 15–20 minute boat ride from Stone Town and home to a sanctuary of Aldabra giant tortoises, first brought from the Seychelles in 1919. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar's only national park, is the best place to see the Zanzibar red colobus, an endangered monkey found nowhere else.

It suits families, wildlife lovers and photographers who prefer a slower pace. If you are short on time, the 3-day Prison Island, Jozani and beach package fits both wildlife sites into one day and adds swimming with turtles.

Departure Point Zanzibar Airport or your hotel
Departure Time Flexible — based on arrival time
Accommodation 3 nights in our private villa in Shakani
Languages English & Swahili — expert local guides
Includes
  • Airport or hotel pick-up and final drop-off
  • All transfers between the villa, excursions and the beach
  • Boat to and from Prison Island
  • Prison Island and Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park entrance fees
  • Guided forest trail and mangrove boardwalk
  • 3 nights in our private villa with daily breakfast
  • Licensed guide (English & Swahili) and bottled water on excursion days
Excludes
  • International flights and visa fees
  • Travel insurance and Zanzibar's mandatory visitor insurance
  • Meals not listed, and drinks
  • Optional activities such as snorkel hire, water sports and sunset cruises
  • Tips and personal expenses

Your 4-Day Zanzibar Wildlife Itinerary — Day by Day

One guided activity a day, with plenty of free time. Times are approximate and are planned around your arrival and departure.

  • Day 1
    Arrival · Pick-Up and Prison Island

    We collect you from Zanzibar Airport or your hotel and drive to the Stone Town waterfront, where a traditional boat takes about 15–20 minutes to reach Prison Island. You spend about 1.5–2 hours with the giant tortoises, see the old prison and quarantine buildings, and can swim or snorkel (snorkel hire about $10). Afterwards you check in at the villa.

  • Day 2
    Morning · Jozani Forest and Mangrove Boardwalk

    After breakfast, drive to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. Your guide leads you along the forest trail to find the red colobus monkeys, which are often seen at close range, then along the raised boardwalk through the mangroves. The afternoon is free at the villa.

  • Day 3
    Full Day · Free Beach Day at Nungwi or Kendwa

    After breakfast your driver takes you to the north coast. The day is yours: swim, snorkel (equipment can be hired locally), walk the beach or book a sunset dhow cruise (extra cost). You return to the villa in the late afternoon.

  • Day 4
    Morning · Free Time and Departure

    Enjoy a final breakfast and a slow morning by the villa pool. We then drive you to Zanzibar Airport or your next hotel, timed to your flight.

Modern Luxury Zanzibar Villa — Where You'll Stay

Bed & Breakfast Included · 3 Nights

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.

Take a video tour of the villa
Free Wi-Fi
Air Conditioning
Tropical Garden
Private Pool
Private & Secure
Transfers Included
Daily Breakfast Included — Start every morning with a fresh, hearty breakfast before your excursions begin.

Which Wildlife Will You See?

The package is built around two animals you can't see anywhere else in such numbers: the giant tortoises of Prison Island and the red colobus monkeys of Jozani. You may see several other species along the way.

AnimalWhereWhat to know
Aldabra giant tortoisePrison Island (Day 1)Some are over 100 years old. You can feed them leaves provided at the sanctuary, but please don't sit on or lift them.
Zanzibar red colobusJozani Forest (Day 2)Endangered and found only in Zanzibar. They must not be fed or touched; keep a few metres away.
Sykes's monkeyJozani ForestA larger, grey-blue monkey that is often seen near the forest trail
Ader's duikerJozani ForestA small, shy forest antelope that is rarely seen
Reef fishPrison IslandVisible if you snorkel in the clear water off the island

For more on both sites, see our Prison Island and Jozani tour page.

Nungwi or Kendwa: Where Will You Spend Your Beach Day?

Day 3 is a free day 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.

NungwiKendwa
AtmosphereLivelier, with a fishing village, dhow builders, restaurants and beach barsQuieter and more spread out, with a long, wide beach
SwimmingGood at most tides; some sections are rockySome of the best tide-independent swimming on the island
Optional extrasSnorkelling trips, the Mnarani turtle aquarium, sunset dhow cruisesSnorkelling, diving and sunset dhow cruises

Your driver takes you to the beach after breakfast and collects you in the afternoon. Water sports, boat trips and meals on the beach are paid locally. Our Zanzibar beach guide compares every coast.

What Should You Pack for Four Days?

Your luggage stays at the villa for all three nights, so on excursion and beach days you only need a day bag.

  • Closed shoes or trainers for the Jozani forest trail
  • Light, breathable clothing and insect repellent
  • Swimwear and a towel for Prison Island and the beach
  • Reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses
  • A camera with a zoom lens if you have one, for the monkeys
  • Some cash in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings for snorkel hire, meals and tips

Good to Know

  • Ask before photographing people, especially in Stone Town and in villages
  • Swimwear is for the beach and the villa; 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 4-Day Package?

The package runs all year, and the tortoises and monkeys can be seen in every season. June to October is cooler and drier, which makes the forest walk most comfortable. December to February is hot, with calm seas and excellent beach days. In the long rains of April and May the forest trail can be muddy, so closed shoes are important.

MonthsWeatherWhat it means for this package
June – OctoberDry, sunny and coolerIdeal for excursions and beach days; the busiest season, so book early
NovemberShort rains, usually brief showersFine for touring; quieter and greener
December – FebruaryHot, humid and mostly dryExcellent beach and swimming weather; busy over the holidays
March – MayLong rains, heaviest in April and MayLower prices and fewer visitors; expect showers

Our Zanzibar travel guide covers the seasons month by month.

How Does This Package Compare with Our Other Zanzibar Packages?

All three 4-day packages include three nights in our private villa with breakfast and one guided excursion a day, so the pace stays relaxed.

4-day packageGuided excursionsFree timePrice per person
Stone Town, Spice Farm & BeachDay 1: Stone Town walking tour
Day 2: spice farm
Day 3 at the beach; free morning on Day 4From $820
Prison Island, Jozani & Beach (this package)Day 1: Prison Island giant tortoises
Day 2: Jozani Forest red colobus
Day 3 at the beach; free morning on Day 4From $920
Safari Blue & KendwaDay 1: arrival and a free afternoon
Day 2: full-day Safari Blue
Day 3 at Kendwa; free time on Day 4From $1,050

Short on time? Our 3-day packages fit two activities into each excursion day and include swimming with turtles at Salaam Cave. For more beach time, see the 5-day packages, or compare every option on the 4-day Zanzibar packages page.

Questions About the 4-Day Prison Island, Jozani & Beach Package

What is included in the 4-day Prison Island, Jozani and beach package?

Pick-up from the airport or your hotel, all transfers, the boat to Prison Island, the Prison Island and Jozani entrance fees, a guided forest trail and mangrove boardwalk, a free beach day with transfers, three nights in our private villa with daily breakfast, a licensed guide and bottled water on excursion days.

How much does the package cost?

The package costs from $920 per person. Send us your group size and travel dates for an exact quote.

How is this different from the 3-day package?

This package visits Prison Island and Jozani on separate days and adds a villa night, so it is more relaxed. The 3-day package fits both into Day 1 and adds swimming with turtles at Salaam Cave.

How much time do we spend on Prison Island?

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.

What wildlife can we see in Jozani besides the red colobus?

Jozani is also home to Sykes's monkeys, Ader's duikers (small, rarely seen antelopes), bush babies, chameleons and many forest and coastal birds. Your guide will point out whatever is active on the day.

Can we touch or feed the animals?

You can feed the giant tortoises the leaves provided at the sanctuary, under staff guidance. The red colobus monkeys must not be fed or touched; keep a few metres away and follow your guide's instructions.

Is this package suitable for children?

Yes. Children love feeding the tortoises and watching the monkeys, the forest trail is easy and the relaxed pace suits families. Please tell us children's ages when you book.

Where do we stay?

All three nights are in our private villa in Shakani, a quiet coastal village in Zanzibar's West district. It has a pool, a tropical garden, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and daily breakfast, and it is used only by your group. All transfers between the villa, the excursions and the beach are included.

Can we add Stone Town?

The Prison Island boat leaves from the Stone Town waterfront, but a guided Stone Town walk is not included. The 4-day Stone Town, spice farm and beach package covers it, or ask us when you enquire.

What is the cancellation policy?

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.