Prison Island & the old quarter on footPrison Island, the giant tortoises and Stone Town on foot

• Free cancellationUp to 24 hrs beforeFull refund up to 24 hours before
• 5 hoursBack by 14:00Back in Stone Town by 14:00
• Hotel pickupIncludedIncluded in and around Stone Town
• Live guideEN, FR, DEEnglish, French, German
• Max 12 guestsSmall enough to hear the guideSmall enough to hear the guide

What you'll do

A short boat ride out to Changuu, where the Aldabra tortoises — some of them older than the country — live in a walled enclosure, then back across the channel to walk the old quarter with Asha: the carved doors, the fish market, the old dispensary and the alleys that do not appear on any map.

• The Aldabra tortoises at Changuu, some over a century old
• Snorkelling off the island’s north beach
• The carved doors of Shangani and Malindi
• Darajani market and the old dispensary

The day, hour by hour

1. 09:00Pickup and walk to the jetty

   From your hotel, or from the Forodhani gardens if you are already in town.

2. 09:30Boat across to Changuu· 30 min

   A flat, short crossing. Life jackets for everyone.

3. 10:00The tortoise sanctuary and the beach· 1 hr 30

   You can feed the tortoises. Snorkelling gear is on the boat if you want the reef off the north beach.

4. 12:00Stone Town on foot with Asha· 1 hr 45

   The doors, the market, the old dispensary, and a stop for spiced coffee in Jaws Corner.

5. 14:00Back to your hotel

   Or we leave you in town if you would rather stay for lunch.

Where we pick you up

Good to know before you book

• The walking half is roughly 2 km on uneven coral-rag streets, with no shade in places.
• Modest dress — shoulders and knees covered — makes the old quarter easier for everyone.
• Children love the tortoises; there is no minimum age.
• Fridays are busier in town because of midday prayers, so we walk a different route.

Questions people ask

Can we skip the boat and just do the walk?

Yes. Tell us when you request and we will price it as the Stone Town walk alone, at $25 per person.

Is the entrance fee really not included?

It is collected in cash at the landing by the island warden and we are not permitted to collect it for you. Bring $4 each in small notes.