A melting pot of African, Indian, European and Arabic influences, Stone Town is a fascinating place to explore. Take a tour of this UNESCO-listed site and you'll be regaled with tales of famous residents, polish your haggling skills in the market, then visit the infamous Prison Island – a former slave colony now home to families of the giant tortoise.
Follow your guide on a tour of the Zanzibar capital and you'll stop by must-sees like the old slave market and Forodhani Gardens – a small park that boasts big views over the city. Practice your bargaining skills in Darajani bazaar and hear about famous residents of the city such as Farrokh Bulsara – also known as Freddie Mercury. There's also a pit stop at the Tanzanite Museum, where you'll explore the history of Tanzania's famous Tanzanite gemstone, a unique treasure found only in the country.
With a name like Prison Island, you'll be surprised at what a little slice of heaven this is. Now a conservation site for rare giant tortoises, you can meet the creatures, visit the Prison Island Museum, where you can learn more about its history, and then chill out on the beach and take a dip in the Indian Ocean before catching the boat back to shore.