Zanzibar Prison Island & Nakupenda Beach Tour Review: Worth It?

So, you are thinking about visiting Zanzibar and weighing up different tour options, eh? That’s a grand idea, since Zanzibar has a ton to offer! Let’s get into a closer peek at one of the most talked about day trips, Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach. Actually, many folks traveling to Zanzibar consider these hotspots as “must-sees.” But very honestly, are they truly worth carving out your valuable vacation time for, plus the money? This review goes deep into my own experiences, provides the gritty details, and offers recommendations to assist you to decide if this tour is correct for you. That way, you know what you are getting.

A Little About Prison Island (Changuu Island)

So, first things first, let’s chat a bit about Prison Island. Funnily, the name is quite deceiving. Like, can you believe that Prison Island has certainly never truly functioned as an actual prison? No, seriously! Apparently, way back in the 1860s, the island was meant to house troublesome prisoners from Zanzibar, plus, get this, folks coming from different colonies. Very quickly, the plans shifted. Instead, the island turned into a quarantine station so yellow fever epidemics could be dealt with in Zanzibar. A little odd, but there you have it! Later, the island earned its fame thanks to the Aldabra giant tortoises that reside there, they’re very old animals given as a gift from the British governor of Seychelles. Nowadays, you can swing by and observe these impressive animals up close plus get a cool snippet of Zanzibari history.

Nakupenda Beach: A Vanishing Sandbank

Nakupenda Beach! So, this spot is interesting to say the least, is that Nakupenda translates directly to “I love you” in Swahili. Honestly, it’s as cute as it gets! Usually, it isn’t your typical beach that you can stroll down whenever you wish. Basically, it’s that it is a sandbank that makes its presence known according to the tides. Pretty special, right? Folks flock here particularly for the experience of being on a beach that’s pretty much popping up out of nowhere in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Honestly, there’s tons of opportunities for taking remarkable photographs, sunbathing, and experiencing the crystal-clear waters, all bundled together in one place.

The Tour Experience: What to Really Expect

Alright, so let’s walk through what a typical tour actually involves. We started pretty early, so that we could beat the big crowds. Generally, transportation was provided directly from our hotel. Very convenient that the first stop was Prison Island. Once there, you usually have time to check out the tortoises. So, it is not just a brief flyby but also observing them, and grabbing pictures. After Prison Island, the boat usually sets its course towards Nakupenda Beach. What I discovered to be super cool was when arriving at Nakupenda, the tour people promptly started putting up umbrellas and setting up a temporary seating location. Usually, this touch offered a comfortable spot to sit, relax, and take pleasure in the beauty all around, I felt particularly appreciated! Plus, this became our spot to tuck into a tasty seafood lunch – often grilled fish, lobster, plus several local sides. Honestly, the lunch was not just tasty but it gave us the chance to get acquainted with other travelers on our tour.

Things That I Liked

• The Giant Tortoises: Being around these ancient creatures was genuinely unforgettable. Like your chance of actually interacting with them makes it additional unique.
• Nakupenda’s Beauty: So, seriously, the novelty of relaxing on a sandbank surrounded by blue waters is truly hard to actually beat. That location is incredibly serene, by the way.
• Tasty Lunch: So, enjoying a seafood lunch right on the beach, by the way, adds a special touch of local flavor.
• Well Managed: Usually, the tours are managed pretty efficiently with transportation and activities coordinated well, generally. That allows one to just relax.

Things That Could be Better

• Crowds: Seriously, Nakupenda could be very busy, which, as you would think, does somewhat diminish that sensation of isolation and serenity, in a way. That becomes even more true at peak times.
• Limited Shade: Without the umbrellas provided by your tour guides, you would think there would not be a bunch of natural shade readily available at Nakupenda. It is kind of a good plan, so just be sure that you slather on tons of sunscreen!
• Prison Island History: So, to tell the truth, the story of Prison Island may be displayed a bit better. Arguably, a lot of people go mostly for the tortoises as a substitute for actually getting involved in that local story.

Is the Lunch Included Worth It?

So, let’s chat regarding the included lunch. It is actually a point of conversation on pretty much these tours, but usually in my experience, that seafood lunch at Nakupenda had a considerable “wow” aspect. In short, that freshness and taste of seafood were superior when set against the stunning backdrop. So, that became not simply a meal but a true event! I thought that most tour people handle allergies well or offer something suitable if, for instance, you’re not much of a seafood admirer. Overall, so in my opinion, getting lunch included usually delivers great convenience and improves the all-around experience. Pretty good perk.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tour

• Come Early: Starting your tour very early will benefit you since you want to actually avoid huge crowds. You might think, therefore, that that is an infinitely more peaceful experience.
• Bring Sunscreen: The sun at Zanzibar, wow, so the sun is often mighty intense! Arguably, protect the skin very carefully, okay?
• Wear Water Shoes: Therefore, the beach has many coral fragments. Arguably, that keeps the feet comfy when going swimming.
• Negotiate Prices: Basically, feel absolutely free negotiating trinket prices and souvenirs bought around Prison Island.
• Respect the Tortoises: That way, avoid startling or bothering them; actually observe them delicately. The animals must be treated very well, that is very key.
• Confirm Tour Inclusions: Be very certain to double-check the tour contains anything that is quoted, namely transfers, charges for entry and meal expenses. You can save your time!

Other Options for Similar Experiences

So, you may choose other things should this individual trip seem like it’s no right up that lane. So, for one, consider visiting Chumbe Island to go snorkeling at a private atoll reserve for anything quieter that focuses so much on that ecosystem. To provide the best scuba, usually Mnemba Atoll is an alternative, if this individual spot is the direction that you want to go with. Basically, with no individuals but rather coral gardens and marine life! Consider trips such as sandbank expeditions which you would think do a lot in order to achieve similar escapes from other regions across Zanzibar in case it really is peace and quiet that one strives after especially.

Overall Recommendation

Basically, in case you ask, would you think, is the Prison Island-Nakupenda Beach tour “worth it?” I might say in the affirmative. By and large, this combination has many special stories (particularly, getting pretty up-close together with torts together with appreciating that temporary phenomenon around Nakupenda beach. However there needs to be awareness of that crowdedness as is also that opportunity not to have adequate shadiness on Nakupenda seaside while arranging so this vacation stays as enjoyable as may reasonably be anticipated through those being provided or supplied in return for making their time to make sure of sun shield plus finding their ways round busy conditions particularly.

If such tips could happen when planning travels; those touring activities is expected only at most likely not even the bare minimum so which this trip gives excellent blend concerning nature experience blended with beach enjoyment – rendering sure unforgettable trip through individuals that see a few finest offerings located near shores or coastal boundaries placed just outside Zanzibar!

Tour Prices

So, the rate varies, yet one tour usually spans anywhere from $30-$80 USD, nearly. You also see that rates fluctuate using exactly whatever that one bundle comprises plus some business doing any of arranging often!

Getting to Stone Town

Alright, Stone Town must be explored but it doesn’t have connections. You must know ways which ensure a good time or seamless experience! Therefore Stone town offers transport ranging primarily buses being referred frequently by any phrase of Dala Dalas where buses remain really minimal for travelers however quite popular along regional circles

Frequently Asked Questions