1-Day Trip to Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank – Zanzibar’s Ultimate
1-Day Trip to Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank
- 1 Day
- 2 Age
- Beach Adventure
Price: $120/ person. (Shared Boat)
If you’re looking for an unforgettable day of history, nature, and relaxation in Zanzibar, a 1-day trip to Prison Island (Changuu Island) and Nakupenda Sandbank is the perfect getaway. This adventure combines a visit to a historic island with giant tortoises and snorkeling, followed by a serene escape to a pristine sandbank surrounded by crystal-clear waters.
1-Day Trip to Prison Island & Nakupenda
Departure/Return Location: Your Hotel/Lodge
Departure Time: Please arrive by 7:15 AM for a departure at 7:30 AM.
Return Time: Approximately 7:30 PM.
Included:
- Entrance fees (for non-residents)
- Guided
- Car Hire
- Boat Cost
TOUR ITINERARY
Morning: Explore Prison Island (Changuu Island)
Your journey begins with a boat ride from Stone Town to Prison Island, a short 20–30-minute trip. This small island, originally intended to house prisoners, became a quarantine station during the 19th century and is now famous for its Aldabra giant tortoises.
🛶 Activities on Prison Island:
- Meet the Giant Tortoises – Some tortoises are over 100 years old!
- Explore the Old Prison Ruins – A glimpse into Zanzibar’s colonial history.
- Snorkeling & Swimming – The island’s waters are full of marine life and coral reefs.
Midday: Nakupenda Sandbank – A Paradise in the Ocean
After exploring Prison Island, hop back on your boat and set sail for Nakupenda Sandbank, a stunning white sandbank surrounded by turquoise waters. The name “Nakupenda” means “I love you” in Swahili, and it’s easy to see why!
🏝️ Activities on Nakupenda Sandbank:
- Relax on the soft white sand and soak in the tropical sun.
- Snorkel in crystal-clear waters to discover colorful fish and coral reefs.
- Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch – Freshly grilled fish, lobster, prawns, and tropical fruits.
- Swim in the shallow, warm ocean and take breathtaking photos.
Afternoon: Return to Stone Town
After a dreamy afternoon of relaxation and adventure, you’ll board your boat back to Stone Town. You can choose to explore Zanzibar’s historic town or enjoy a refreshing drink at a beachside café before calling it a day.
Trip Essentials & Tips
✅ Best Time to Visit: Morning departures (8:00 AM) ensure the best weather and fewer crowds.
✅ What to Bring: Swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and waterproof phone protection.
✅ Duration: 6–7 hours
✅ Ideal for: Families, couples, solo travelers, and nature lovers.
This 1-day trip to Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank is a must-do in Zanzibar, offering a perfect mix of history, wildlife, and relaxation in one unforgettable adventure. 🌊🐢🏝️
Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank – Zanzibar’s Hidden Gems
A visit to Prison Island (Changuu Island) and Nakupenda Sandbank offers a perfect blend of history, wildlife, and breathtaking natural beauty. Prison Island, just a short boat ride from Stone Town, is home to centuries-old Aldabra giant tortoises and the ruins of a former prison. Visitors can explore its history, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and interact with the friendly tortoises.
Afterward, Nakupenda Sandbank awaits—a stunning white-sand paradise surrounded by the turquoise Indian Ocean. Here, you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on the beach. This day trip is an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers in Zanzibar! 🌊🐢🏝️
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Unforgettable! - My family and I spent an amazing day at Nyerere national park with our excited and knowledgeable guide Jafari. He taught us a lot about the bigger and smaller animals... read more living inside of the national park and made the experience unforgettable. I would highly recommend this experience and guide to anyone who loves nature!
Count S
November 7, 2024An unforgettable adventure! - We did a one-day safari with Plex Africa Safari. From the first communication everything went smoothly. The questions we asked for the organization of our day trip were answered quickly... read more and correctly. Everything was well organised, from the pick-up at the hotel, the safari and the return journey to our hotel. The safari was amazing. Jafari was our amazing guide and took our wishes into account. He answered all of our questions and was very patient when we took photos. Jafari also had a lot of knowledge of the animals that live in Nyerere and told us all about them with lots of enthousiasm. Breakfast at the Baobab tree was super nice and lunch was very tasty. We would definitely recommend this day trip and our guide to any nature lovers.
Wander435482
November 7, 2024Great First Safari Experience! - What differentiated Plex from the other companies for us was their responsiveness during the booking process, also in the run-up to the safari starting and the transfer arrangements before and... read more after. Eddy always provided the required information and reassurance exactly when we needed it, regarding all of the key arrangements.
When we arrived in Neyere we were met off the plane by the Guide (Omary) and Driver (Keresa) and the safari began almost immediately as we drove into the National Park and began to observe a wonderful array of animals. Omary was extremely knowledgeable regarding their identification and behaviour (which included the stunning birdlife). He was also flexible and adapted to what we wanted to see (this included the wonderful old Baobab trees that he knew I loved). He also has great observational skills and was able to identify highly camouflaged rare birds from a long distance (e.g. Nightjar).
We stayed at the Selous Safari Lodge which we would also highly recommend. The staff were fantastic and made us feel so welcome. The rooms are well equipped and comfortable and we enjoyed swimming in the pool. Breakfast and dinner were also of a high standard.
Overall we had a great experience with Plex and would have no hesitation in recommending them to other people who are looking for a great African safari experience!BARRY L
November 18, 2024 -
Amazing experience seeing wild animals up close - Plex Africa arranged everything 100% perfect. We were in a two day trip in Nyerere National Park. Communication was smooth, taxi drivers were right in time for pick up, speak... read more good English and are polite and professional. We travelled with two heavy luggage full of diving gear. The luggage was too big to take in the small plane so our driver Morris offered to take them to his home and picked us up next day from the airport with the luggage and drove to our hotel. In Nyerere our guide Songoro went over and beyond for finding the best spots to see animals and action up close during the game drive. I can highly recommend!
Sightsee19279404172
October 16, 2024Wonderful experience - What am amazing experience our 2 day safari was. I spent ages researching and was pleased to choose Plex. Edward, was great in responding really quickly to any questions... read more I had, all the staff were so friendly and helpful from Morris who dropped and collected us to the airport, to our safari guide Jafari, our drivers Eugenio, G and captain Kasimi in the boat they all ensured we had the best experience. All arrangements were stress free and were seamless.
The safari day inside the park was one we’ll never forget, we saw Giraffes, Antelopes, Impalas, Warthogs, Wilderbeast, Zebras, Hippos , Crocodiles, Baboons and our favourite Elephants. Our driver Eugenio was fantastic at taking us off the main roads to have the best chance of seeing so many animals and Jafari our guide was very knowledgable and informative. All the food was delicious and drinks were provided on the jeep. We were met at 8.30am off the plane and were dropped at the Selous lodge at 6.30pm, it was a whole day driving vast distances around the park, and the scenery and animals were fantastic. The Selous lodge was lovely, with a pool so a wonderful place to unwind. All the staff again were so friendly and helpful. Day 2 Jafari picked us up again and we went on a boat safari seeing hippos, crocodiles, and lots of wonderful birds, followed by a village tour to get a feel of local life in Tanzania and a school visit with lots of wonderfully curious children keen to show us their English and counting skills.
We had such an amazing experience, the Plex staff really did do their utmost to ensure we had a fantastic time. We felt it was good value for money. Just bear in mind the extra tips for the drivers, guide, captain etc It’s been the highlight of our holiday and an experience we’ll never forget. Thanks Plex!waders10
August 15, 2024Fantastic one-day safari to Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar - We booked a one day safari to Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar. Communication with Eddy beforehand was excellent, and everything was really well-organsed. The guides were great, really well-informed, and... read more we saw a good variety of wildlife, including lions. We would highly recommend Plex Africa Safaris.
Anna B
November 4, 2024
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