Zanzibar Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Tour: A Detailed Review

So, if you are thinking of things to do when you’re kicking back in Zanzibar, the Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank tour is almost always a winner, yet it’s important to see if it’s a good fit for your kind of travel style. Very many tourists rave about it, and for very good reason, so, let’s explore exactly what makes it such a popular choice, and whether or not it deserves a place on your Zanzibar must-do list. This review provides the lowdown, offering insights and tips to make your decision that much easier.

Setting Sail: What’s the Appeal of Prison Island & Nakupenda?

The allure of this tour very often lies in its offering of two very separate, unique experiences in just a single day. Prison Island, that’s also referred to as Changuu Island, comes with a really quite fascinating, and, a little grim history, it must be said, while Nakupenda Sandbank, whose name means “I love you” in Swahili, very nearly offers the chance to unwind on a pristine, really quite gorgeous sandbar. It’s the balance of historical intrigue with relaxation that tends to draw in so many.

As I was saying, it’s not everyday that you can begin the morning amongst giant tortoises on an island that was, at one point, to serve as a holding location for, you know, some rather unwell prisoners, and then find yourself later, splashing about in crystalline waters on a patch of sand, so small it disappears with the tide. The contrasting experiences are very much part of the adventure.

A Glimpse into History: Prison Island

Prison Island, now, it actually carries quite the misnomer; the “prison” that was meant to be was actually never put to use as such. Built way back in 1893, its purpose, interestingly, shifted from incarcerating rogue members of the public, to, a little, shall we say, conveniently, becoming a quarantine spot for yellow fever outbreaks. These days, the main draw for visitors would probably be the colony of giant Aldabra tortoises, so too it’s quite the captivating sight, it has to be said!

Getting up close with tortoises that could very easily predate your grandparents is quite something. You could, too, typically find yourself helping the wardens by feeding them handfuls of vegetation, gently stroking their weathered shells, it might be fun for you, or even snapping some photos, just remember, if that’s you thing, to treat the gentle giants with respect.

That being said, there’s very little else to do on the island itself, other than paying your respects to what’s left of the building’s ruins, from its former use as a place where the sick and downtrodden were housed, or just going to the gift store to have a gander at all the touristy-bits and bobs on display for those inclined to purchase those kinds of things. The experience itself may only take an hour, yet it really is quite an odd little piece of history, still.

Nakupenda Sandbank: Paradise Found?

From the historical touches and weighty creatures of Prison Island, the tour typically moves you on over to Nakupenda Sandbank, a place where “paradise” comes really quite close to seeming to exist in reality, still, the island tends to almost, or just about completely disappear at high tide, so, timing really is everything with your visit.

Once you get there, that is, presuming it is visible, you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by luminous turquoise water and seemingly impossibly white sand. This is where visitors just very much enjoy lounging, soaking up the African sunshine, splashing in the water, or going for a spot of snorkeling. Speaking of which…

Snorkeling in the Azure Waters

Many tours come including snorkeling gear, yet it is almost always wise to check, to avoid surprises. The waters all around Nakupenda are, just generally, speaking, crystal clear, thus very nicely providing for visibility for underwater viewing, you might catch some colourful fish or even some other kinds of more intriguing marine life, too.

Remember, too, reef-safe sunscreen if that is an option for you; helping protect the delicate ecosystem, even when swimming around casually, is pretty useful. So, too it is useful to check the conditions; if the tide is turning or if the sea is even slightly choppy, taking extra care is always sensible. The guides very often have great advice, so use their wisdom and common sense.

The Lunch Situation: What to Expect

Something that the tour really usually sells itself on, or that at least is offered as part of the deal, is a seafood lunch on Nakupenda Sandbank. Freshly grilled fish, lobster, squid, just maybe all featuring in the spread, so, a delight for lovers of seafood! So, too there are always the sides; rice, local fruits, and there’s that delicious Zanzibar bread that can easily be sampled as you unwind from your morning activities.

Just be sure that you double check what lunch contains if you, or anyone you might find yourself on vacation with has a particular dietary need, because tour operators really need to be told in advance so they could likely arrange something alternative. Vegetarian, vegan, or any other allergies, really; the more the operators know, the easier it can be made on you when the food is finally served.

Things to Consider Before You Book

Like your experience really may hinge on these; here are some quite important things to consider, so too the time to do your homework, if only just a little, still, can really reward you once you’ve arrived on your fancy, new tour.

Timing is Key: High tide basically means there’s very little, if any beach available on Nakupenda, hence your experience would quite easily be determined, maybe even ruined, just simply by the timing of your visit. Confirm you, or the tour provider knows to plan your arrival, to ensure the sandbank is visible.
Sun Protection is Necessary: Seriously, the Zanzibar sun is really quite intense! Bringing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen would definitely prevent sunburn, and probably general heatstroke.
Footwear: The sand, though gorgeous, can, naturally, get quite hot, therefore water shoes or sandals could almost certainly save your feet.
What is, or is not Included: Typically these sorts of tours usually, often include transport from your hotel, yet be very careful and be sure to clarify everything so that hidden, unwelcome charges could likely be dodged. Snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, very many tour guides really are nice and offer extras if asked nicely!

Is the Prison Island & Nakupenda Tour Right for You?

Whether this tour actually fits your fancy actually may hinge on exactly what you are looking to achieve during your trip. Those that are intrigued by historical sights and also crave that “relaxing beach paradise” would typically find this to be perfect.

Family getaways could just love the combination of meeting interesting animals and fun in the water. People that tend to like things calm might feel at odds in such a typically “touristy” environment and may just quite prefer an option that comes with getting even further off the beaten track, if that can be an option. No two people or preferences really can be identical, can they?

Alternatives to Consider

If for you, these sorts of destinations seem just too mainstream, or you aren’t fond of typical trips and experiences that often come including hordes of tourists, maybe it would probably be worthwhile to consider your alternatives? These can be something a little more quiet, and maybe more unique to your desired vibe, very much so, that is!

Safari Blue: Just so that you know, this really is a pretty popular boat trip that involves a number of snorkeling stops, seeing a mangrove lagoon, and just enjoying an authentic seafood barbeque on one of the islands.
Jozani Forest Tour: Maybe if you’d typically rather spend time walking around in some woodlands and enjoying nature, the chance to glimpse the indigenous red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest actually may suit you down to the ground, especially if, like your writer here, you have quite a big passion for wildlife.
Spice Farm Tour: If all of this relaxing is too much for you, yet you want an enriching experience, so, too a Spice Farm visit, the clue is in the title, really could well get you on the road to expanding both your culinary palette and all your olfactory delights, that’s definitely going to involve trying all types of spices!

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your Trip

As a matter of fact, when done right, the Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank tour would actually provide you with a pretty unforgettable experience, combining history, wildlife, relaxation, that really could offer just something for basically everyone. Checking ahead, really carefully considering when to book, taking any necessary safety precautions are generally speaking all the necessary things for the memories of those turquoise waters and friendly tortoises to be, and remain, very precious ones for years to come!

FAQ about Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank Tour

What should I wear for the Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank Tour?

I mean, consider breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen, which might actually make a lot of sense to wear because the weather is warm; as I was saying, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and a cover-up or a light shirt and shorts. So, too is some headwear, for example, such as a hat or even a bandana for keeping yourself shaded from those strong sunshine rays! Very few folks take too many clothes, so it’s probably wise to travel a little lighter.

What is the significance of Prison Island?

Prison Island’s past may easily prove itself quite a unique part of its identity: It started out originally, basically, as a spot to keep rebellious prisoners held captive. Almost certainly it’s actually far more famous, now, for being, almost or basically in every case, just like, a sanctuary for ageing Aldabra giant tortoises, basically adding just something fascinating and slightly touching to, at least, a little bit of history about the site.

Is lunch provided on the Nakupenda Sandbank?

Seemingly, tour packages tend to include a generous, lavish lunch, just freshly made by the ocean at the sandy shoreline of Nakupenda, so don’t panic! Typical choices will often come including all varieties of seafood such as grilled fish, squid or lobster, not forgetting tropical seasonal fruits along with regular soft drinks being part of the experience when you’ve got those pangs from walking around meeting so many creatures.

What’s the best time to visit Nakupenda Sandbank?

As I was saying, to make the most of your visit be sure that you know of tide times! I mean if you are lucky enough to arrive when tide waters are down it lets your good self have way much bigger area just so that way you could stroll on those sands for many yards and yards plus make all sorts of incredible photos too showing beauty beyond words!

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