In short
- Prison Island features giant Aldabra tortoises and historic ruins.
- Jozani Forest offers sightings of rare red colobus monkeys.
- Both sites fit into a combined full-day Zanzibar itinerary.
In this article
If you only have a short time in Zanzibar, you might wonder whether to visit Prison Island or Jozani Forest. Both offer unique wildlife interactions. Prison Island is a 20 to 30-minute boat ride from Stone Town, while Jozani Forest sits inland.
What wildlife will you see at each location?
Prison Island is a sanctuary for giant Aldabra tortoises, while Jozani Forest is home to the red colobus monkey.
On Prison Island, you can observe giant tortoises, some of which are over 190 years old. You can feed them approved leafy greens. Jozani Forest allows you to walk through natural woodlands to spot red colobus monkeys in the trees.
How do the activities compare?
Prison Island offers a mix of wildlife, historic ruins, and beach time, while Jozani Forest focuses on a nature walk.
At Prison Island, you can spend time at the Tortoise Sanctuary and explore the 1890s quarantine station ruins. You can also swim or snorkel at the white sand beach. Jozani Forest involves guided walking trails through the trees and mangrove boardwalks.
How long do you need for each visit?
Plan for 2 to 3 hours at Prison Island and about 2 hours at Jozani Forest.
A typical trip to Prison Island requires 20 to 30 minutes of boat travel each way. Exploring the tortoise sanctuary, ruins, and beach takes about two hours. Jozani Forest requires driving time from Stone Town plus a 1.5 to 2-hour guided walk.
Can you visit Prison Island and Jozani Forest in one day?
Yes, you can easily combine both destinations into a full-day itinerary.
Start your day early to beat the heat. Take a boat to Prison Island at 9:00 AM. After returning to Stone Town for lunch, hire a driver or join a tour heading inland to Jozani Forest for the afternoon.
How much does it cost to visit?
The entrance fee for Prison Island is approximately about $12 USD per person, plus boat transfer costs.
The about $12 USD fee for Prison Island covers a $12 entrance charge and $10 for government and conservation taxes. You also need to negotiate a boat transfer, which costs $15 to $30 USD for a return trip. Jozani Forest charges its own separate entrance fee.
Which destination is better for families?
Both are excellent for families, but Prison Island offers more variety for young children.
Children often enjoy feeding the giant tortoises and looking at the babies in the nursery. The addition of a short boat ride and a beach makes Prison Island highly engaging. Jozani Forest is also very family-friendly, but involves more walking.
Questions travellers ask
Are the giant tortoises native to Zanzibar?
No, the original Aldabra giant tortoises were a gift from the governor of the Seychelles in 1919.
Can you touch the tortoises on Prison Island?
You should keep a respectful distance. Do not sit on, ride, or place heavy weight on the tortoises.
How to get to Prison Island from Stone Town?
You can hire a private wooden dhow or motorboat from the beachfront in Stone Town. The ride takes 20 to 30 minutes one way.
