Zanzibar Tour Review: Jozani Forest, Stone Town, Prison Island

Zanzibar, with its aromatic spice scent in the air and history clinging to every corner, it’s more than just some island paradise. The ‘Zanzibar Jozani Forest Stone Town Tour Prison Island’ package gives you a very small taster of this multifaceted appeal. If you’re thinking about visiting, so that you know, my breakdown of this trip may just help you plan an adventure that’s truly special. Getting ready for a packed day trip that showed some of the highlights this island had to show, that’s what it did.

Into the Lush Embrace of Jozani Forest

We started, that’s right, in Jozani Forest. Now, this place, so you understand, feels completely different to the white-sand beaches most folk seem to associate with Zanzibar. Think deep greens, chatter and bustle of monkeys all over, and very humid air. The main reason folk visit here is that they want to spot the Red Colobus monkeys which are unique only to this place.

These monkeys, a bit like mischievous toddlers that they are, they were very interesting. Our guide, rather engaging with stories and very knowledgable facts, knew exactly where that the groups usually hang out, and pretty soon we were watching this small group of creatures swinging through the trees, paying very little attention to us all with the big cameras, basically, doing a bit of tourist-gawking. Actually learning more of the nature and ecology of Zanzibar – which is, to be fair, what you may want. It isn’t solely white-sand beaches, you know?

But, anyway, the forest’s charm goes deeper than simply monkeys. We took a turn on a boardwalk right into the mangrove swamp area. Very strange and alien looking, they’re a totally diverse habitat with trees adapted specially just to survive in the saltwater. In a way, it feels magical walking amongst such natural ingenuity. We heard stories of how the mangroves acted as a very important natural coastal defense that protect Zanzibar island shores against all kinds of erosion. After our adventure, we definitely hopped back on the transport!

Step Back in Time at Stone Town

Next, in contrast to the very lush greenery, we moved to Stone Town, this place has a heart and soul, a really fascinating area of history, to some extent a maze. What an atmosphere!. Those narrow alleys are built with a type of coral stone, and you are sure to get swallowed whole if you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing!

Our guide led us down and past a route featuring ancient carved doors, each with a unique pattern, some with large brass spikes as defense all those years ago. These small doors are so old, you might think you have hopped in a time machine or something. You’ll also see that the architecture actually reflects a really unusual blend of African, Arab, Indian and European styles, painting the picture, you know, a bit like some type of crossroads, some ancient crossroads from all the different cultures and the trade through many centuries.

One of the greatest highlights that you just might get is a visit to the previous slave market site, this place now stands with a cathedral acting as a symbol of remembrance. So, to be honest, it is kind of a sobering moment; considering what happened there brings you into perspective of Zanzibar’s complex history. After that, that’s right, the very vibrant markets bring joy once again. Rows and rows of exotic spices, crafted goods, artworks that shout about some vibrant culture of these local island people. We found time to do a very small shopping run and grabbed a few aromatic spice selections to remind ourselves of Zanzibar once we return back home. Basically, haggling is what the locals do, so it is necessary!

Changuu Island: More Commonly known as Prison Island

After Stone Town’s hectic vibes, we headed for Prison Island. Taking some small dhow boat out upon sparkling waters was a welcomed break, just sailing through you get very clear views of the ocean – picture postcard perfect, I’m telling you!

Regardless of its very intimidating name, this island’s background can be intriguing. Initially it was built to contain troublesome convicts back in the 1860s, it actually never came to full-time service as a proper prison. That, and the main purpose, anyway, turned to being a quarantine place to hopefully house anyone with yellow fever outbreaks. That’s what I am talking about – full of intrigue!

Although, it is, pretty cool here now for something a bit different – the island’s actually a secure place to lots of giant Aldabra tortoises. Actually some are beyond 100 years old. It’s really an absolute buzz to stand very near such kind creatures; getting the opportunity to feed them or maybe snap pictures with those grand old reptiles. The kids especially are sure to adore this spot. Furthermore, if sun is very much up your street – Prison Island boats one cracking stretch of coast and brilliant lagoons. You will be able to have a refreshing swim, a little snorkel, or maybe, that’s right, just soak in every single ounce of the stunning coastal outlook.

Food Experiences during This Trip

I should point out this Zanzibar ‘highlights’ deal won’t cover all-out foodie tours but expect options, like the tasty local food spots located within Stone Town’s historic quarter or those along your ventures – a lot cater very well for travelling tourists and newcomers, giving people an appealing view from their spice-infused cuisine.

Maybe take every opportunity to indulge on classics ranging everywhere from that well spiced fragrant Pilau Rice meal and the Zanzibar pizza (which really isn’t your typical kind!) to fresh ocean harvested grilled seafoods – foodies are up for the challenge in exploring all various flavours, there truly are endless choices galore.

Things You Might Want to Keep In Mind Before Committing To The Tour

This Jozani, Stone Town, and Prison Island combined-tour works especially fantastic if some don’t have any extra time available yet need some flavour representing Zanzibar’s highlights. That, though, often requires certain tradeoffs that a relaxed itinerary makes much easier. A few areas need checking carefully before agreeing fully:

Pace and rhythm: Preparing to get taken somewhere quickly means sometimes only gliding superficially across a place, rather than allowing proper explorations with closer lookabouts; thus the whole journey may feel intense at times.
Times: Strict timetabling often makes visiting different must-see sites pretty hurried which may impact full and relaxed visits
Shopping Experiences: Dedicated authentic shopping becomes very difficult as quick hops limit extended shopping; expect only very limited retail stints with common stalls.
Personal choice & tastes: A set programme may struggle whenever matching everyone else within the group since individual tastes will ultimately be different when prioritising elements like nature vs cultures vs perhaps just relaxation somewhere pretty/secluded!
Costs involved: Before deciding completely confirm just precisely how inclusions look, asking too about meals, admission fee along some sites but even perhaps some unanticipated ‘extras’.

So, Is This Tour Right for You?

In the end, the ‘Zanzibar Jozani Forest, Stone Town, Prison Island Tour’, so it seems to me, has benefits, but folk have to keep the pace high, plus a few limitations involved when squeezing these sites together. Consider what that the key aspects about an upcoming visit are to you before going any further. Perhaps chilling out tops everything versus perhaps discovering multiple angles – what suits each ultimately differ as that’s subjective ultimately!

People may prefer investing several individual journeys giving longer and much richer exposure whenever allocating adequate exploration through several days instead that simply squeezing all hotspots quickly within sometimes single package when time is quite liberal available!

FAQs About the Tour

What exactly do I wear for such adventures?

Clothing must remain modest while going around places like Stone town considering cultural beliefs & conservative ethics/values of people around including respect when within holy places yet breathable things suitable despite jungle walk being damp potentially & sunshine harshness on seashore areas afterwards perhaps something lightweight becomes useful throughout, basically wear lightweight clothing.

Should I bring any cash? And what currencies tend they prefer receiving payments through there itself specifically too anyway really generally??

Small marketplace vendors located during Stone towns or roadside spots tend wanting only Zanzibar currency specifically – get simply small currency sums through some available auto cash machines/banks/money exchanges there just starting into some early parts for day itself specifically! Huge hotels as well tourist directed sites are inclined towards taking USD payment that becomes easier most times though rate differs potentially according rates applicable which seems almost obvious actually…

Are the guided trips accessible with small kids, including perhaps elder family ones especially?

Though taking along small tots will pose little problem there especially, bear several key pieces that influence complete joy since much travelling does form as element here though which younger could tire promptly potentially particularly since push chair use will often have restricted potential as cobbled pathways abound a great deal while weather conditions commonly sit humid and overly hot which cause trouble regarding extreme irritability from younger side also mostly!

Always think precisely through how a day actually gets delivered depending that depending that ages of kids so people will keep the overall experience absolutely entertaining when still remaining absolutely memorable once this time reaches closing parts too anyway always!

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