Prison Island Mangapwani Coral Cave Historical Day Tour

The Prison Island and Mangapwani Coral Cave Historical Day Tour is a comprehensive full-day excursion in Zanzibar that combines natural beauty with a deep dive into the island’s sobering history of the slave trade.

The tour begins from Stone Town and includes a boat trip to Prison Island (Changuu Island) for wildlife and snorkeling, followed by a journey to the Mangapwani coast to explore natural coral caves and man-made slave chambers.

Prison Island and Mangapwani Coral Cave Historical Day Tour Highlights

1.) Morning: Prison Island (Changuu Island) 

Giant Aldabra Tortoises: Visit a sanctuary home to tortoises gifted from the Seychelles in 1919; some are over 150 years old and weigh up to 200kg.
Historical Ruins: Explore the 1893 prison ruins, which were originally built for rebellious slaves but later served as a quarantine station for yellow fever
Recreation: The island is fringed with coral reefs ideal for snorkeling and white sandy beaches for swimming

2.) Afternoon: Mangapwani Coral Cave & Slave Chambers

Mangapwani Coral Cave: A deep natural cavern with a freshwater pool. Once a water source, it later became a secret holding cell for enslaved people
Mangapwani Slave Chamber: A square cell carved from coralline rock built around 1880. It was used to hide and store enslaved people, even after the official abolition of slavery in 1873
Mangapwani Beach: A serene, palm-fringed shore nearby, often used for a seafood lunch at the Serena Mangapwani Beach Club

Prison Island and Mangapwani Coral Cave Historical Day Tour Itinerary

0900 Hours: Depart Stone Town via boat to Prison Island
1000 Hours: Feed giant tortoises and tour the quarantine station ruins
1100 Hours: Snorkeling at the nearby coral reef
1300 Hours: Lunch: Swahili-style seafood barbecue lunch, often served at the Serena Mangapwani Beach Club
1500 Hours: Guided exploration of the Coral Cave and Slave Chamber
1630 Hours: Return transfer to your hotel

Essential Travel Tips

What to Pack: Swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of drinking water
Footwear: Sturdy, non-slip shoes are critical for Mangapwani Coral Cave, as the terrain is rugged and slippery, with narrow passages
Gear: Bring a torch (flashlight) or headlamp for the caves; while guides provide them, having your own is recommended for better visibility

Prison Island Mangapwani Coral Cave Historical Day Tour is a dhow cruise excursion to Prison Island’s beautiful beach, 5 km from Stone Town. Here, we see the historic prison buildings, meet the giant tortoises in their sanctuary, snorkel among the colorful coral reefs nearby, and enjoy the beautiful Indian Ocean.

Later, we visit Mangapwani beach, located two hours by boat. Mangapwani (meaning ‘Arab shore’) is known for the Mangapwani Slave Chamber (Slave Cave), originally built for storing slaves in the 1800’s.

We also enjoy lunch at the Serena Restaurant and Water Sports Centre. Mangapwani beach is exceptionally beautiful at high tide, and a great place to swim or relax.

0800 Hours: We pick you up from your hotel/ Residence and transfer you to the Zanzibar Serena Inn reception. We receive a briefing on our day’s excursion from our guide.

0945 Hours: Climb onboard the dhow, meet the crew, and set sail. Leaving from Stone Town in the morning, sail on a dhow to Prison Island. The island takes its name from the prison built by the Sultan to isolate Zanzibar citizens. Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island.

1015 Hours: Arrive at the  Prison  Island. Previously owned by an Arab to house his rebellious slaves, the prison was never used, and the island is now home to a tortoise sanctuary, prison ruins, and a hotel.

If you’re feeling active, explore one of the hiking trails, visit the tortoise sanctuary, or just sit on the beach and relax in the sun or snorkel in the crystal clear water.

1100 Hours: After snorkeling, you’ll sail down to Mangapwani, where your dhow will drop anchor on the coconut-fringed beach just in time for lunch.  The journey from Prison Island will take approximately two hours.

1300 Hours: Arrive at Mangapwani beach. Lunch is served at the Serena Mangapwani Beach Club, a barbecue extravaganza of seafood, Swahili specialties, and tropical fruit.

1600 Hours: There’s time to relax on the beach before exploring the Mangapwani slave caves. Built out of coral limestone, these caves were used to store slaves until the monsoons began and the dhows came to take them away from their homeland.

After slavery was abolished, the cave was used for years to hide and smuggle slaves, an illicit trade that continued for many years. From here, you’ll be driven back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Prison Island Mangapwani Coral Cave Historical Day Tour Rates Include:

✓ Visit Prison Island by dhow
✓ Professional English-speaking guides
✓ All entry fees, service charges, and taxes
✓ Boat trip to Prison Island and Mangapwani slave caves
✓ Lunch is served at the Serena Mangapwani Beach Club
✓ Pickup from your hotel in Zanzibar Stone Town and drop-off at your hotel

Notes

* Guests should wear waterproof sandals for boarding the dhow, sunscreen, a towel, and a spare T-shirt for snorkeling

Historical Day Tour Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of 1 person required
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com