Description: Stone Town is said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.  It was an ancient trading port of the sultans of Oman in the 19th century.

During your stay you can take a tour (self-guided or guided) of the historic sites such as the Arab Fort, the House of Wonders and the Palace Museum – all taking you back in time.  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 neighborly rivalry is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors – there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork.  Most people enjoy ‘getting lost’ in the maze of Stonetown’s narrow, winding and criss-crossing streets.

Location: Off the coast of Tanzania, a 2 hour ferry ride from Dar es Salaam or fly in to Zanzibar via the Northern Parks, Arusha, Dar es Salaam or the Southern Parks

Things 2 Do:Spice Tour, Museum Visits, Visit Jozani Forest, and Visit Changuu Island’s Giant Tortoises

Time: Requires at least one day to see most of Stone Town.

Accommodations

$$
236 Hurumzi
Africa House
Chavda Hotel
Dhow Palace
Mbweni Ruins Hotel
Seyyida Hotel and Spa
Tembo House Hotel
Zanzibar Coffee House
Zanzibar Hotel

$$$
Beyt al Chai/ The Stone Town Inn
Swahili House
Zanzibar Palace Hotel
Zanzibar Serena Inn

Top photo credit: Gallery Tours

Ben C. (USA)

April 21, 2026

“I really appreciated how straightforward and simple the process was—from putting together the itinerary, all the way through the lead-up to the trip. The initial planning call, along with the payment plan, then the pre-trip call to make sure everyone was on the same page (including the helpful YouTube videos)—it all felt seamless. And the best part was truly the expertise and professionalism of Wilfred. He did a wonderful job not only showcasing his knowledge of wildlife and Tanzanian culture, but also really took the time to get a sense of what we wanted out of the trip—even when, at times, we admittedly weren’t the most vocal, simply because we didn’t always know the breadth of possibilities.”