Zanzibar Day Trip Review: Dolphins, Spice, & Prison Island

Zanzibar, is that a name that conjures up images of shimmering turquoise waters, powdery sands, and the aroma of exotic spices? I mean, like your typical dreamy island getaway. So, too it is a place brimming with activities and sights just begging to be explored. And one popular way to experience the island’s highlights is through a full-day tour. These tours often pack in experiences like dolphin watching, spice farm visits, and a trip to the historical Prison Island. But very are these tours really worth your time and money? What can you realistically expect, that, in terms of experience, and how do you decide which tour is a good fit for you? Let’s go have look.

Chasing Dolphins in Kizimkazi

The day usually begins early, almost before the sun properly peeks over the horizon. Usually, it starts with a drive to Kizimkazi, which is that small fishing village located on the southern coast of Zanzibar. What makes Kizimkazi well-known? Well, it’s the spot where you’re most likely to see dolphins swimming and leaping about in their natural environment. But hold on, that bit of paradise doesn’t always deliver as promised. Still, like finding the pot of gold, there are considerations.

First, the early start. Know, that it’s often necessary to beat the crowds and hopefully catch the dolphins when they’re at their most active. You will travel by local transport, which that in itself can be an experience, offering glimpses into village life as you trundle along. Once you arrive in Kizimkazi, like your typical adventurer, you will transfer to a small boat. These boats aren’t luxurious. So, too they’re usually quite basic, with just enough space for everyone. Then, is that where the anticipation begins to build.

Out on the water, as I was saying, it’s a mix of excitement and anxiety. The skippers use their experience and knowledge, yet it’s true that you have to consider luck, and they use this along with sonar equipment to track the dolphins. Very are sightings guaranteed? I mean, not at all. Still, more or less you have good chance to see them. You have to consider the dolphins, like any wild animals, they move according to their own rhythms. The time of year, water conditions, and, really, the dolphins’ mood can affect your viewing. Also, seeing a few dark fins briefly in the distance is very different from, as an example, being surrounded by a pod of playful dolphins. Still, typically, there is a reasonable chance.

If you are lucky enough to encounter them, I mean that it’s truly special. To think of them swimming around the boat, sometimes leaping and playing is, like, pretty amazing. It’s very true that guides often allow you to swim with the dolphins. So, know that this can be a very mixed experience, depending on the dolphins’ behaviour and how many boats are in the area. Now, can there be a bit of a scramble as everyone tries to get into the water at the same time? Sure! Like a crowded swimming pool, and it can be really hard to get a good view if there are several boats vying for the same space. Anyway, after spending some time with the dolphins, typically the boat will head back to shore, where that next part of the day will begin.

Aromatic Adventures at a Spice Farm

Following the dolphin watching, now, many tours will head to a spice farm. After the adrenaline of the dolphin encounter, really, it’s true that this offers a different type of sensory experience. As a matter of fact, Zanzibar is well-known as the “Spice Island,” and spice farms dot the landscape, now, and this presents that chance to learn about the island’s aromatic exports.

So, once you arrive, normally, you are greeted by a guide who leads you on a walking tour through the farm. During that time, that guide will point out different plants and explain their uses. Did you know that many of these spices are likely growing in your own kitchen cupboards right now? Really, just, you might see cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and, by the way, even more. The air is often thick with pungent scents, now. So, know that this is an amazing experience for your nose as you go have walk around. You see, for instance, how the plants are cultivated, harvested, and prepared for market.

Now, what I am saying is that the tours aren’t just educational; actually, sometimes, they can be quite entertaining, just, especially when the guides start showing off their skills. Now, that is things like climbing trees to collect fruit or weaving palm leaves into hats and baskets. I want to remind you too that you are actively encouraged to taste and smell everything. Now, sometimes that can include some spices you’ve maybe never encountered. As an example, one very common highlight, in some respects, is having fresh fruit and spiced tea.

Basically, the visit culminates in an opportunity to purchase spices directly from the farm. At the end of the day, you should know that prices are usually negotiable. Also, knowing the correct value and quality can be somewhat challenging for tourists. As a matter of fact, supporting the local farmers is really an attractive reason to buy something, just that you must make sure that you know your value.

History and Giants on Prison Island

Alright, after the spice farm, it’s quite true that most of these comprehensive tours usually include a trip to Prison Island, which is a short boat ride from Stone Town. Now, I would tell you to know it by its other name, “Changuu Island”. I would want you to also to remember that it has, by the way, a very interesting, pretty interesting, and a surprising history.

Originally, it should be said, like the place names says, as a prison for rebel slaves, anyway, but you might be amazed that the island never really served that purpose. Then again, it was later used as a quarantine station. Then, really it’s purpose was to prevent the spread of contagious diseases in Zanzibar. Today, seriously, it is well-known as a tourist attraction because of that history. Then there are the island’s most famous residents, like, in this case, a colony of giant Aldabra tortoises.

Honestly, one very appealing feature of Prison Island is the chance to get up close and personal with these very gentle giants. So, did you know some of them are over 100 years old? You will even see people buying bundles of leaves from local sellers to give to the tortoises for their snacking enjoyment. It is allowed for you to touch them, right, but still you’d have to respect their space and ensure that you handle them gently. So, do you also know that it makes a amazing photo opportunity?

Besides the tortoises, right, there is also the ruins of the old prison building. After that, you can see some of the quarantine station buildings which you can explore. I would want you to know that that kind of stuff offers a glimpse into the island’s history. By the way, the island itself is, like, very beautiful. Right, now it boasts a great sandy beach with crystal-clear waters. With that, usually there is that chance for a swim or, literally, just a snorkel before heading back to Stone Town. This really offers a great way to relax after a very busy day. Like your picture-postcard end to a tiring day.

Making the Most of Your Day Trip

Alright, to that, the combination of dolphin watching, spice farm visit, and Prison Island really makes this Zanzibar day trip well-rounded, which I’m saying is if all goes according to plan. Did you consider some important factors when thinking about it, that? I mean that doing some research can make or break it.

Basically, when choosing a tour operator, that they don’t have a solid and dependable name or good ratings and comments might be an obvious red flag. Anyway, by comparing various operators, actually you could save some hard earned money. Then it is likely that there will be some that don’t come off as high quality. You will get, like, a more fulfilling and satisfying adventure. If you like some of that free information, then maybe you could look for comments and ratings left by travellers who already went, it can be worth that look-see. That alone could save you. I mean that checking out these reviews before will really point you to a guide that goes over-the-top for customers, too it could identify bad service that should be avoided.

You know that how you gear up is a consideration, right? As an example, if you’re going to a sunny environment and on and near that blue ocean, that the day can include bright sun, which that can affect one’s vision as well as the usual considerations. Still, I would just recommend bringing sunglasses and sunscreen. Similarly to the sun issue, a lot of walking in the island will also expose the typical patron to bug-related discomfort, so now it will be smart to consider packing mosquito repellent. I mean that what is useful, that depends on each person’s needs. This is because some items have value to the person in a situation while the opposite might be true for somebody else. Anyway, maybe you will want some way of keeping important items close to the person. I would want to suggest some bag with you, right, in which you may decide you want to retain important or personal items with yourself at nearly every turn.

As a matter of fact, your own desires and the amount that it interests you will be a very strong consideration in how you rate a vacation or planned activity. It depends on, I mean, do you, for instance, have a strong and determined interest in being near animals and seeing how they exist. The way you are, still, will mean something in a circumstance that you are considering as well. Okay, that also can matter more than any details of the trip itself.