Just a short boat ride from Stone Town, Prison Island offers a fascinating blend of history, nature, and tropical beauty. Also known as Changuu Island, the island is famous for its historic buildings, clear surrounding waters, and its remarkable population of Aldabra giant tortoises.
Explore the remains of the island’s former quarantine station while learning about its changing role throughout Zanzibar’s history. Then meet the gentle giant tortoises, some of which have lived on the island for decades. Their size, age, and calm nature make this one of the most memorable encounters on the island.
Beyond its history and wildlife, Prison Island is also a beautiful place to slow down. The surrounding turquoise waters are ideal for swimming and snorkelling, offering the chance to discover colourful marine life beneath the surface. Together, the island’s history, wildlife, and tropical setting create an experience that complements any Zanzibar journey.
The Prison Island Experience can be booked as a standalone excursion from Stone Town or combined with a wider Zanzibar beach holiday. The experience is typically reached by a short boat journey from Stone Town and can be tailored around your available time.
Bring swimwear, comfortable clothing, sun protection, and a towel if you would like to swim or snorkel. Boat trips and water activities are subject to weather and sea conditions.
For more information and to include Prison Island in your Zanzibar journey, contact our travel experts.









Across Tanzania and Africa, every destination brings its own character to an experience. Discover the places where this journey can unfold, from open savannahs and forests to wetlands and remote wilderness, each offering a unique landscape, atmosphere, and way to experience Africa.
Every experience is unique, and we know you may have questions before your journey begins. From the best time to visit and what to bring, to what to expect along the way, our frequently asked questions provide the essential details you need to feel prepared and confident. Explore the answers below and discover how we make every experience with Back to Eden Adventure seamless, comfortable, and memorable.
Prison Island is reached by boat from Stone Town. The crossing usually takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on sea conditions.
The island is best known for its historic quarantine buildings, beautiful beaches and waters, and its population of Aldabra giant tortoises.
Yes. When sea conditions are suitable, visitors can swim and snorkel in the clear waters surrounding the island.
Most visits take several hours, giving enough time to explore the island, see the giant tortoises, learn about its history, and enjoy the surrounding waters.
Prison Island can be visited throughout the year. The dry seasons from June to October and January to February generally offer favourable conditions for boat trips, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkelling.
Your journey is designed to inspire discovery, adventure, and unforgettable moments. Explore our carefully crafted itineraries or let us create a personalized experience that matches your travel style, interests, and dreams of Tanzania.
There is always more to discover beyond one experience. Explore other ways to experience Tanzania and Africa, from wildlife encounters and nature to culture, adventure, and peaceful moments in the wilderness. Each experience brings a different perspective and another opportunity to make your journey truly memorable.
Some of the most memorable moments of a safari happen around a table or beneath an open African sky. Enjoy a beautifully prepared bush breakfast as the first light touches the landscape, pause for a relaxed bush lunch surrounded by nature, or settle into a bush dinner as the day slowly gives way to night. Each meal brings you closer to the landscape, turning time spent eating into another way to experience Africa. With Back to Eden Adventure, safari dining can be thoughtfully arranged to suit the rhythm of your journey. Start the morning with breakfast in the wilderness, enjoy lunch in a peaceful setting during your day of exploration, or end the day with dinner beneath the stars. As the afternoon light begins to soften, a sundowner offers another unforgettable moment—raise a glass as the sun disappears across the horizon, surrounded by the sounds and beauty of the African wilderness. These experiences are about more than food and drinks; they are about atmosphere, connection, and the feeling of being somewhere truly special. Whether watching the sunrise over the savannah during a bush breakfast, enjoying lunch beneath an acacia tree, sharing dinner under the stars, or raising a glass during a spectacular sundowner, every setting adds something unique to your safari. Couples, families, friends, and solo travellers can all enjoy these simple but extraordinary moments that become part of the story of their journey.
Rising to 5,895 metres above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of Africa’s most remarkable natural landmarks and a dream destination for adventure seekers from around the world. With Back to Eden Adventure, discover the beauty of this iconic mountain, where every trail reveals a different landscape, from lush tropical forests and open moorlands to dramatic alpine deserts and the snow-capped summit. The experience takes you through changing natural environments, each with its own character and beauty. Walk beneath towering trees, follow mountain paths through misty forests, admire giant groundsels on the higher slopes, and watch the scenery transform as you gain altitude. Along the way, experienced mountain guides and a dedicated support crew help make your climb well organised, allowing you to focus on the adventure and the remarkable landscapes around you. Reaching the summit of Uhuru Peak is a powerful personal achievement. After days of hiking, the final ascent often begins in the darkness of the early morning, leading you towards the summit as the first light spreads across the African horizon. Standing at the highest point in Africa, surrounded by vast mountain views and the sense of having accomplished something extraordinary, is a moment that stays with you long after you return home.
Leave the safari vehicle behind and explore the Ngorongoro Highlands on foot, where ancient volcanic landscapes, lush forests, open grasslands, and Maasai communities create an extraordinary setting for adventure. The experience can take you to Empakaai Crater and Olmoti Crater, two beautiful volcanic landscapes that offer a completely different perspective of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. At Empakaai Crater, trek along the dramatic crater rim before descending through lush forest towards the crater floor, where a beautiful soda lake rests among the surrounding vegetation. The views from the rim are spectacular, stretching across the highlands and, on clear days, towards the distant Great Rift Valley and Ol Doinyo Lengai. At Olmoti Crater, a shorter but rewarding hike leads through montane forest and open highland scenery to the crater rim, where you can look down into the peaceful volcanic depression and discover the Munge Waterfall flowing into the surrounding landscape. Together, Empakaai and Olmoti offer an unforgettable way to experience the Ngorongoro Highlands beyond the traditional safari. Walking through these ancient volcanic landscapes allows you to slow down, breathe in the highland air, discover hidden scenery, and connect more closely with the land and communities that call this extraordinary region home.
Leave the safari vehicle behind and experience Africa from a completely different perspective. A guided bush walking safari takes you into the wilderness on foot, where the smallest details become part of the adventure. Follow animal tracks across the earth, discover plants and trees, listen to birds calling through the bush, and learn how the landscape changes with every step. Away from the roads, you experience the wild at a slower, more intimate pace. With Back to Eden Adventure, every bush walking safari is led by an experienced walking guide and accompanied by trained National Park rangers where required. Your guide helps you understand animal tracks, wildlife signs, plants, birds, insects, and the many details that bring the landscape to life, while the trained rangers provide additional wildlife awareness and safety throughout the walk. Together, they allow you to explore the wilderness on foot with confidence while gaining a deeper understanding of the environment around you. There is a special feeling that comes from standing quietly in the wilderness with nothing between you and the landscape. You may pause beside an ancient tree, follow fresh tracks, watch birds moving through the branches, or simply listen to the sounds of Africa around you. A guided bush walking safari is not about covering distance or searching for a checklist of animals—it is about slowing down, becoming more aware of your surroundings, and discovering the wild in a deeply personal way.
A night game drive reveals a completely different side of the African wilderness. As the sun disappears and darkness settles across the landscape, the bush becomes quieter, mysterious, and full of movement. With a skilled guide and spotlight leading the way, you may encounter animals that are rarely seen during the day, from elusive leopards and nocturnal cats to hyenas, bush babies, porcupines, and other creatures of the night. The experience is about more than simply seeing wildlife. It is the feeling of being deep in the wilderness after sunset, surrounded by darkness and the sounds of the African bush. A pair of glowing eyes in the distance, the call of a nocturnal animal, or the sudden appearance of a predator can turn an ordinary evening into one of the most memorable moments of your journey. For those who want to experience Tanzania beyond the traditional daytime safari, a night game drive adds a sense of adventure and discovery to the journey. It offers a rare opportunity to witness the wilderness as it truly is after dark, when different species emerge and the rhythm of the landscape changes completely.
Africa is home to an extraordinary variety of birdlife, from colourful kingfishers and bee-eaters to majestic eagles, vultures, storks, flamingos, and countless smaller species hidden among the trees and grasslands. A bird watching safari invites you to slow down and look beyond the larger wildlife, discovering the sounds, colours, movements, and behaviours that bring every landscape to life. From wetlands and forests to open savannah, each habitat offers something different to discover. With Back to Eden Adventure, bird watching can become part of your wider safari or a dedicated experience for those who want to explore Africa's remarkable birdlife more closely. An experienced safari guide helps you identify different species, understand their behaviour, recognise their calls, and discover where to look for them. You can enjoy bird watching from a safari vehicle, on foot where permitted, or around your lodge and camp, giving you opportunities to discover birds throughout the day. There is something deeply rewarding about spotting a bird you have never seen before and learning the story behind it. Early mornings can bring a chorus of calls across the wilderness, while changing light can reveal striking colours and beautiful moments for photography. Whether you are an enthusiastic birder, a wildlife lover, a photographer, or simply curious about the natural world, bird watching adds another fascinating layer to your African safari.
Our guests leave with more than memories—they leave with stories to share and moments they will never forget. With 5-star reviews from travellers around the world, we are proud to create journeys filled with genuine care, unforgettable experiences, and the beauty of Tanzania.
Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Guide63644279770July 9, 2026Verified
Incredible Safari Back to Eden Aventures did an amazing job organizing an incredible 10 day safari for our family of four. Their communication was timely, clear and fully transparent which made planning effortless. The itinerary was flexible and they added activities based on our preferences without any hassle. Thanks to their thoughtful planning, we thoroughly enjoyed our safari vacation and had an unforgettable experience. We highly recommend Gift and his team.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
hima aJune 25, 2025Verified
Incredible experience with Back to Eden Adventures As the Great Migration season kicks off in June, I'm excited to share my unforgettable Safari experience in Tanzania with Back to Eden Adventures. Their expert guide Hassan took us on thrilling game drives, bringing us face-to-face with incredible wildlife. We savored every moment, eagerly awaiting sightings of lions and cheetahs in action. The highlight of our trip was a luxurious 2-day glamping adventure deep in the middle of forest, with impeccable service from the staff. Special thanks to Laurent and Gift and for their exceptional customer service, which truly made our experience unforgettable. We highly recommend Back to Eden Adventures to anyone planning a Tanzanian adventure.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Fearless15898388495January 18, 2025Verified
7-Day Kilimanjaro Trek We recently completed the 7-day Machame trek with Back To Eden Adventures and it was an absolutely incredible experience. The entire team, from our guides to the porters, were exceptional. The itinerary was well-paced and allowed us to acclimatize properly. We enjoyed stunning views throughout the trek, and the campsites were well-chosen and offered incredible vistas.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
adin43December 4, 2024Verified
Great safari experience! Planned a trip for my parents and another couple, and they had an amazing time! They mentioned Laurent specifically took very good care of them during the whole tour and to their particular needs whether it was the food, their medical conditions etc. I definitely recommend this tour for safari in Serengeti. Reach out to Laurent! He's so easy to get along with and communicate with so that you can plan in advance with him before your trip.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Beatrice BDecember 4, 2024Verified
Amazing Kilimanjaro Experience An amazing experience in the Kilimanjaro! We did the Marangu Route and Back to Eden helped us with every step of the way: prior, during and after. From the logistic team to the porters and guide team, our experience in the mountain was incredible! Totally recommend them for small or large groups.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Voyage61643334116December 4, 2024Verified
Magical African Safari We had an amazing trip with Back to Eden Adventures. Everything was well organised and we didnt face any difficulties during the trip. They understood are requirements and curated a customised itinerary based on our needs. Our tour guide was also great and very helpful. It was a wonderful trip and we had a good time. Thanks to Back to Eden Adventures.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
garybrakaJuly 7, 2024Verified
Sérieux et disponible Organisation top en amont avec beaucoup de disponibilités et de réponses à toutes les questions. Le voyage est cher donc c’est important d’avoir un maximum de réponses pour s’organiser au mieux. La voiture était top et le chauffeur avait réponses à tout. Profitez
Curated Safari Journeys
Discover our collection of carefully crafted safari journeys, created to bring you closer to the beauty of Tanzania. From unforgettable wildlife encounters to peaceful nights in the wilderness, each itinerary combines exceptional experiences, handpicked stays, and the personal touch of Back to Eden Adventures. Let us create a journey that feels truly yours.
Discover our safari articles, travel stories, and helpful guides to inspire your journey through Tanzania. From wildlife and breathtaking destinations to local culture and travel tips, find everything you need to dream, plan, and make the most of your African adventure with Back to Eden Adventures.