An old carved wooden door sits within a weathered stone archway in a Zanzibar alley.

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Stone Town and the North Coast: A Zanzibar Long Weekend

Stone Town's old quarter, a morning with Prison Island's giant tortoises, and a final night on Nungwi's beach.

Enquire about this trip See the day by day

Duration3 Days / 2 Nights

Group size2 – 8 travellers

Best monthsJune – October and December – February, outside the long and short rains

From$720 per person sharing

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The Trip in Short

Zanzibar rewards a short trip as much as a long one, provided you split the time properly between Stone Town and the coast. This long weekend spends its first day in the old quarter (narrow lanes, carved doors, the House of Wonders), crosses to Prison Island the next morning for its giant tortoises, and finishes with a night on Nungwi’s beach at the island’s northern tip.

It is built for travellers who have a Kilimanjaro climb or mainland safari on either side of it and want a genuine change of pace rather than another set of game drives.

Official visitor information for Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania is published by the Tanzania Tourist Board.

Highlights

Guided walk through Stone Town's UNESCO-listed old quarter
House of Wonders and the former slave market site
Aldabra giant tortoises on Prison Island
Snorkelling off Prison Island's reef
Sunset at Nungwi beach on the island's northern tip
Forodhani Gardens night food market

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Where You Go, Stop by Stop

Day 1

Arrival, Stone Town

Day 2

Prison Island, transfer to Nungwi

Day 3

Nungwi, departure

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Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Stone Town

Airport pickup and check-in, then a guided walk through Stone Town's tangle of coral-stone lanes: the House of Wonders, the Sultan's Palace, and the quiet, deliberately unmarked site of the former slave market. Evening at Forodhani Gardens, where the seafront food stalls open after dark.

Day 2: Prison Island and North to Nungwi

A short boat crossing to Prison Island for its Aldabra giant tortoises, some over a century old, and reasonable snorkelling on the fringing reef. After lunch, the drive north to Nungwi, where the beach is wide, white and busy with dhow builders working on the sand.

Day 3: Nungwi and Departure

A free morning to swim or walk the beach before the transfer back to the airport, timed to your flight.

From

$720

Enquire about this trip

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What the Price Covers

Included

Airport transfers
English-speaking guide for Stone Town and Prison Island
Boat transfer to Prison Island
Prison Island entry fee
2 nights accommodation (Stone Town and Nungwi)
Daily breakfast
Ground transport between Stone Town and Nungwi

Not included

International and domestic flights
Lunches and dinners not stated
Alcoholic drinks
Tips and personal expenses
Travel insurance

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Before You Book

Do I need extra time in Stone Town?

One full day covers the main sites at a comfortable pace; history or architecture enthusiasts often wish for a second.

How rough is the crossing to Prison Island?

It is a short, sheltered fifteen-minute boat ride, calm in typical conditions.

Why Nungwi rather than Paje or Kendwa?

Nungwi sits closest to Stone Town and has the most beachfront restaurants and dhow-building activity to watch: Kendwa next door is quieter, Paje is further south and better for kitesurfing.

Is Zanzibar a separate visa from mainland Tanzania?

No: the same Tanzania visa covers both, though immigration checks happen again on arrival at Zanzibar's airport or port.

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Where This Trip Goes

Mnemba Atoll

Zanzibar · Island

A small coral atoll off Zanzibar's northeast tip, its protected reef holding the best diving and snorkelling within reach of the island.

Nungwi & Kendwa

Zanzibar · City

Zanzibar's two main beach towns on the island's northern tip, Nungwi lively and tide-affected, Kendwa quieter with swimmable water throughout the day.

Zanzibar

Country

A spice-trade island off Tanzania with a UNESCO old town, beach towns on three coasts and the best diving in the region at Mnemba Atoll.

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Stone Town and the North Coast: A Zanzibar Long Weekend