REVIEW · ZANZIBAR CITY
Stone Town, Spice Farm and Jozani Forest Private Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by The Sultan Tours · Bookable on Viator
Three stops, one unforgettable Zanzibar day. This private outing is a practical way to see Stone Town landmarks, learn how Zanzibar spices really grow, and finish with a forest walk for the Red Colobus monkeys. It’s built for an all-in-one day, with hotel pickup and air-conditioned comfort so your legs get a break between stops.
I especially like how the day mixes major sights with hands-on moments: spice farm tasting and fruit juice, not just a quick look. I also like that the timing is clear—Stone Town first, then spice farm, then Jozani—so you can plan your day around it. One thing to consider: if you’re counting on a specific language, confirm ahead, because guidance may not be fully in your language for every part.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- A Private Zanzibar Day That Links City, Spices, and Forest
- Stone Town Highlights: Cathedrals, Markets, and the Former Slave Market
- Zanzibar Spice Farm at Jambo and Tangawizi: Smell, Taste, and Coconut Music
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park: Red Colobus, Sykes Monkeys, and Mangroves
- Price and What’s Actually Included for $89.99
- Logistics: Pickup, Time on the Road, and Weather Adjustments
- Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book This Stone Town, Spice Farm and Jozani Private Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Stone Town, Spice Farm and Jozani Forest Private Tour?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- Is this tour private?
- What is the price per person?
- Is the spice farm admission ticket included?
- Are the Old Slave Market and Jozani entrance fees included?
- Does the tour include lunch?
- What food and drinks are included?
- What wildlife can you see at Jozani Forest National Park?
- What time of day are butterflies and birds most likely to be seen?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key things to know before you go

- Private, not crowded: only your group rides in the air-conditioned vehicle.
- Tickets are split: spice farm admission is included, but Old Slave Market and Jozani fees are extra.
- Jozani is about wildlife: Red Colobus monkeys are the headline, plus butterflies and birds.
- Expect a quick Stone Town circuit: you’ll see many landmarks in about two hours.
- Fruit and snacks are part of the day: you’ll get fresh fruit at the spice farm and water on the way.
A Private Zanzibar Day That Links City, Spices, and Forest
This tour is good value if you want three big Zanzibar experiences without the hassle of hopping between operators. You’ll get pickup and drop-off, bottled water, and snacks, plus the air-conditioned vehicle helps a lot when the roads heat up.
The pacing is also honest. Stone Town is treated like a highlight walk—tight time, lots of stops. Jambo Spice Farm leans hands-on—smell, taste, and learn how spices connect to daily life on the island. Then Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park shifts the mood to nature: a guided walk where wildlife matters more than shopping or photos.
One more practical note: the route can shift a bit depending on weather and day flow. If it’s raining, you’ll want a driver who can adjust without making you feel rushed. In real life, that kind of flexibility can be the difference between a stressful day and a smooth one.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Zanzibar City.
Stone Town Highlights: Cathedrals, Markets, and the Former Slave Market

Stone Town is a UNESCO-style maze of history, but this tour keeps it manageable. You get about two hours to hit key places, with a route that includes the Anglican Cathedral, Catholic Cathedral, Old Fort, and Hamamni Baths. You also pass by major market and heritage stops like Darajani Market and Tipu Tipu’s House.
A big reason I like this part of the day is the variety of architecture and names you’ll recognize. The House of Wonders (Zanzibar National Museum) and the Palace Museum help connect the city’s trading era to what you’re seeing today. You’ll also visit the Former Slave Market area. It’s heavy. Don’t speed through it just to “tick a box.” If you’re sensitive to this topic, plan for a slower mental moment.
Freddie Mercury House gets mentioned often, and for a reason: it’s one of those instantly recognizable cultural markers that helps break the ice during a dense historical day. Still, the overall Stone Town experience is less about a single monument and more about the street-level story—narrow lanes, city textures, and landmark clusters you can actually cover in limited time.
What to watch for: Stone Town is made of walking, turning, and small distances that still add up. Two hours goes fast when you’re stopping for photos and listening. If you prefer to linger at one place and read everything slowly, you might want extra time on your own after this tour.
Zanzibar Spice Farm at Jambo and Tangawizi: Smell, Taste, and Coconut Music

Spice is where Zanzibar turns from sightseeing into a sensory lesson. At Jambo and Tangawizi Spice Farm, you’ll explore, smell, and taste spices and tropical fruits grown on the island. You’ll get hands-on time with plants and their uses, with examples like cloves, lemongrass, nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla, coconut, papaya, chili, black pepper, jackfruit, cardamom, and cassava.
This is also where the tour feels most “alive.” You’ll see someone climb a coconut tree while singing a local song (Jambo Bwana). Whether you’re into farming or not, that moment gives you context for how spices and coconuts are part of everyday Zanzibar life, not just souvenirs in a shop.
Then comes the best practical payoff: you eat fresh fruits—coconut juice, bananas, watermelons, pineapples, mangoes, jackfruit, oranges, and more. It’s included, and it’s genuinely useful after a morning of walking. If your travel style is “I want to taste what I came here for,” this stop hits the mark.
A small consideration: spice farms can be humid, and tours move at a learning pace. Wear breathable shoes and keep sunscreen handy. Also, don’t expect every spice to be explained at deep scientific length in two hours—you’re getting an overview you can build on later.
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park: Red Colobus, Sykes Monkeys, and Mangroves

Jozani Forest National Park is Zanzibar’s only national park, and it’s the star for wildlife. The main reason people come is the Red Colobus monkeys. These monkeys are among the rare species that are easy to spot in Zanzibar when you’re in the right place and moving with the guide.
Your walk can also include sightings of Sykes monkeys and bushbabies. Jozani is also known for butterflies and birds. If you want the best chance at them, the guidance here is simple: butterflies and birds are most often seen early in the morning or in the evening. So timing matters, even if your day is already planned.
Another detail I like is that you’re not just watching animals. Jozani also has plantations used for medicinal purposes, construction, and furniture making. That helps you understand why this forest matters beyond the postcard photo.
After the forest walk, you can enjoy a mangrove boardwalk. It’s short, but it teaches a key Zanzibar coastal lesson: mangroves help prevent coastal erosion. That’s the kind of connection between nature and real-world survival that makes the park feel relevant, not just scenic.
What to budget: the Jozani entrance fee is $12 per person and isn’t included in the base price. The easiest move is to carry extra cash or confirm what payment methods they accept when you arrive.
Price and What’s Actually Included for $89.99

At $89.99 per person for a 7 to 8 hour private day, this tour prices itself like a convenience package. You’re paying for a vehicle, pickup, and a tight itinerary that covers Stone Town, spices, and Jozani in one go.
Here’s what you get included:
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Private transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Fruits at the spice farm (watermelon, pineapple, bananas, mango, jackfruit, oranges, and others)
- Spice farm admission ticket
Then there are the costs you’ll add on-site:
- Former Slave Market entrance fee: $5 per person (not included)
- Jozani entrance fee: $12 per person (not included)
- Lunch (not included)
Is it good value? Usually, yes—because three major experiences in one day plus a private car is often more expensive if you try to piece them together yourself. The main “value check” for you is whether you’re okay paying separate entry fees. If you prefer a fully all-in price, this isn’t that style. If you’re fine with a couple of small add-ons and want the convenience, it’s a practical deal.
My practical advice: eat before the tour starts or plan to buy something simple after. Since lunch is not included, don’t count on having time for a proper meal during the day.
Logistics: Pickup, Time on the Road, and Weather Adjustments

This tour runs about 7 to 8 hours. Stone Town is roughly two hours, the spice farm is about two, and the Jozani segment is also about two. The rest of the day is travel time and the small buffers that make private touring feel less stressful.
Where you’re staying changes the feel of the day. If you’re based farther from the action—like on the north side of the island—the drive can take time, and you’ll feel it as an all-day commitment. That’s not a flaw; it’s just how Zanzibar geography works. If you want a “short day,” this one may feel long.
Pickup is offered, and in at least one case it has been coordinated directly with someone meeting at the port. So if you’re on a cruise or arriving by ship, ask what pickup option they provide for your exact dock and time.
Weather is another real factor. Zanzibar can go from sunny to rainy quickly. If rain hits, you may see a reordering of stops or adjustments to keep things accessible. That flexibility is worth asking about when you confirm your booking—especially if you have any specific constraints you need the driver to account for.
Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is a great match if you’re:
- Doing Zanzibar for a limited time and want the headline experiences in one day
- The type who likes a guided plan but still wants a little independence (you can always add your own time back in Stone Town afterward)
- Interested in how spices are grown and used, not just buying spice blends
- Wildlife-focused and hoping to see Red Colobus monkeys without DIY stress
You might think twice if:
- You need lunch provided, or you want a longer, slower Stone Town experience
- You strongly require a fully consistent language for every stop, and you haven’t confirmed that in advance
- You’re easily worn out by walking and heat; Stone Town and the forest both involve time on your feet
Should You Book This Stone Town, Spice Farm and Jozani Private Tour?

If your ideal Zanzibar day is city landmarks, spice tasting, and a national park finish, I’d book it. The big win is the structure: you get hotel pickup, air-conditioned comfort, included spice-farm admission, and the Red Colobus focus at Jozani—plus fruit and snacks that make the day feel like it has real value, not just “transport to sites.”
Just plan intelligently around the add-ons. Bring money for the Old Slave Market ($5 pp) and Jozani ($12 pp), and don’t expect lunch to be handled for you. Also, if language matters a lot to your enjoyment, confirm specifics before the day starts.
Done right, this is the kind of day that helps you understand Zanzibar as a whole—trading city, spice island, and forest ecosystem—without spending your whole vacation sorting schedules.
FAQ
How long is the Stone Town, Spice Farm and Jozani Forest Private Tour?
It runs about 7 to 8 hours.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s private, meaning only your group participates.
What is the price per person?
The price is $89.99 per person.
Is the spice farm admission ticket included?
Yes. Spice farm admission is included.
Are the Old Slave Market and Jozani entrance fees included?
No. The Old Slave Market entrance fee is $5 per person, and the Jozani entrance fee is $12 per person. These are not included.
Does the tour include lunch?
No. Lunch is not included.
What food and drinks are included?
You’ll have bottled water, snacks, and fresh fruits at the spice farm (including items like watermelon, pineapple, bananas, mango, jackfruit, oranges, and others).
What wildlife can you see at Jozani Forest National Park?
The tour focuses on Red Colobus monkeys. You may also see Sykes monkeys, bushbabies, butterflies, and birds.
What time of day are butterflies and birds most likely to be seen?
They are mostly seen early in the morning or in the evening.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.
























