Stone Town city tour from North, East, and South Coast of Zanzibar

Highlights

• Old Fort
• Sultan Palace
• Darajani Market
• Anglican Cathedral
• House where Freddy Mercury was born

All about the trip

Visit the historic Stone Town of Zanzibar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) on this 3-hour guided tour. With an experienced guide to lead the way, you’ll explore a blend of African, Arab, Indian, Persian, and European cultures, following narrow streets shaded by elegant balconies and verandahs. The Sultan Palace, a series of beautifully-carved wooden doors, Darajani Market also known as Estella Market, the house where Freddy Mercury was born, and an Anglican Cathedral that marks the former site of a slave market.

It may not have a particularly romantic name, but Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques, and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors – there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. You can spend many idle hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways.

Walk by landmarks such as the House of Wonders (Beit-el-Ajaib, a former palace of an early sultan), the Anglican Cathedral built on the site of the Old Slave Market, the Sultan’s Palace (Beit al-Sahel, now a museum), the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe, built to defend against the Portuguese), the house where rock star Freddy Mercury was born, and a local market that sells fruit, vegetables, and fish. You'll also pass many shops, where you can purchase a variety of goods, from antiques and pictures to traditional clothing and crafts, if you wish.

What is included in the price

• Experienced professional tour guide
• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in a private car
• Bottled water
• Transport waiting charge
• All taxes, fuel surcharges, and service fees

What is not included in the price

• Medical insurance if needed
• Gratuities for tour guide
• International and domestic flights
• Visa fee (50 USD/ 100 USD for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)
• Personal expenses

Instructions

The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions.

A moderate amount of walking is involved.

COVID-19 CLEAN AND SAFE

All vehicles are disinfected regularly after each ride. We have established set protocols that we follow to make sure all of these high touch areas are disinfected in every vehicle. An emergency plan has been designed which can be followed in case of an outbreak. In the event that a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, we have action plans ready to implement. Medical support is available if required. Not all destinations have the same resources, so we anticipate the needs of our customers should they become ill.

General staff training is in place regarding new protocols to prevent the spread of Covid19.

This training is in various stages:

Initial: containing basic information about the illness, personal hygiene, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and departmental procedures.

Follow-up: reinforces the basic points and any improvements made. Plus, follows up employees’ concerns and needs.