Zanzibar culture week: Stone Town and spice farms

The tour

This culture week takes you into the history and daily life of Zanzibar. It begins in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, among carved doors, winding lanes and busy markets, and ends on a beach lapped by turquoise water.

In between: the giant Aldabra tortoises of Prison Island, snorkelling around Bawe Island, a spice farm followed by a cooking class, and a day in the village of Makunduchi by bike, with a khanga demonstration, coconut rope making and a meeting with a traditional healer. A Swahili lesson on the very first day helps you chat with local people.

The tour suits adults, young travellers and families who want to travel at the island’s pace and understand what shapes its culture, from the kitchen to the village workshop.

What makes it different

Stone Town and Forodhani night market
Giant tortoises and snorkelling at Bawe
Spice farm and cooking class
Makunduchi by bike and village crafts
An introduction to Swahili

Day by day

Day 1: Stone Town

Settle in, meet the group and go over local customs and etiquette. A lesson on traditions and daily life, your first Swahili phrases, then a walk through the historic heart of Stone Town, with its lanes, ornate doors and markets. Sunset over the Indian Ocean and Forodhani night market for street food. Dinner back at the accommodation.

Day 2: Prison Island and Bawe

Meet the giant Aldabra tortoises on Prison Island, then snorkel in the clear water around Bawe Island. A packed lunch of fresh fruit by the sea, then back for dinner at the accommodation.

Day 3: Spices and cooking

A spice farm visit to learn how the island’s spices are used in cooking and medicine, then a cooking class with fresh local spices. Lunch is the meal you have just made.

Day 4: Makunduchi

A 90-minute journey by local transport to the village of Makunduchi. A cycling tour of the countryside, a khanga demonstration to learn what these colourful fabrics mean, and a home-cooked village lunch. Then coconut rope and roof making, and a meeting with a traditional healer.

Day 5: Beach day

A full day on the white sand, swimming in turquoise water, with a packed lunch on the beach.

On site

Accommodation

Accommodation in a shared house, where the group gets together for dinner each evening.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner at the accommodation; lunch is eaten on the go: a packed lunch, the dish you cook in class or a meal in the village.

Arrival

Airport welcome and transfer when you arrive in Zanzibar. The return transfer is not included.

Included

Airport welcome and transfer
Accommodation in a shared house
Meals (three a day on weekdays, two at weekends)
All activities described in the itinerary
24-hour assistance and supervision
Donation to the project

Not included

Flights
Travel and repatriation insurance
Return transfer

Cultural tour in Zanzibar