4 Day Swahili Classic Tour

This 4-day tour of Zanzibar focuses on Stonetown (its capital), as well as on other interesting aspects such as Kizimbani Village and fishing villages. This tour can easily be extended to allow for some time on the beaches of Zanzibar.

4 Day Swahili Classic Tour

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 01

    Arrival in Zanzibar, Stonetown

  • Day 02

    Full Day Spice Tour

  • Day 03

    Full Day Cultural Tour

  • Day 04

    Depart Zanzibar

Day 01

Arrival in Zanzibar, Stonetown

On arrival at the Zanzibar Airport or Sea Ferry terminal, you will be met and transferred to the Tembo House Hotel in Stone Town.  Here you will spend the next (3) nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

Tembo House Hotel Rooms
Ocean Views from your room at Tembo House Hotel

Day 02

Full Day Spice Tour

This morning after your breakfast, you will be taken on your guided Tour of the Spice Plantation and Mangapwani Slaves Caves, including lunch and dinner before returning to your hotel.

After your breakfast we shall depart from the hotel to enjoy the rare experience that proves why Zanzibar is also known as the “SPICE ISLAND OF THE INDIAN OCEAN” - A spice tour, This involves visiting the spices growing areas to see different Spices and tropical fruits is a Spice Educational Tour, Guests will taste, smell some of fresh tropical fruits and Spices right on the spot depending on the season. In addition, it involves a visit to the famous spices-producing area where you can see medicinal, cosmetics, ornamental plants and rare herbs. Most of the interesting items are cloves, nutmeg, rambutan, lipstick, iodine plant, lemon grass, vanilla, henna bush, shampoo plant etc. You will have the unique opportunity to purchase these exclusive spices straight from the source.

Stonetown, Zanzibar
Mangapwani Entrance, Zanzibar

Finally, you will visit the Kidichi Persian Baths that were built by the first Sultan of Zanzibar named Sultan Said Said bin Sultan in 1850 and the Maruhubi Palace Ruins built by the third Sultan of Zanzibar named Sultan Said Baraghash Bin Said in 1880 which were built especially for housing 99 of his harem (Concubine)  Swahili delicious lunch will be served at Serena Restaurant or similar restaurant at Mangapwani, Fishing Village.

This is followed by a visit to the Slave caves (Chamber) and proceed back to Stone Town for the rest of the day at your leisure, dinner will be served at one of the better restaurants in Stone Town overnight.

Day 03

Full Day Cultural Tour

After breakfast we shall depart for a cultural tour. Today you will get a first-hand glimpse at the everyday lives and enduring traditions of the Zanzibari people, on a visit to two separate and very special villages and also visit a local School, will enjoy seeing Coconut Palms, Thatching, Baskets, Weaving, pottery, Grinding Millets, rice, Coconut Rope Making, Coconut Palm Climbing, Local Cuisine Cooking, Zanzibar Aroma and Incense burning, Construction of local Homes, Bread Making, Spices, Banana Plantations, Seasonal Fruits, Visit the Children Local Koran Schools, Local Traditional Music/Songs and Dancers. The half-day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel where you will be driven to a notable local Village on the outskirts of Zanzibar Town.  Here you will be able to see while walking through the farm village and capitalizing on the village life of the locals who are always busy carrying on with their daily activities like grinding millets with mortar pestles; thatching coconut palms; preparing bread for evening meals – guests are welcome to enjoy and try the activities.

We move further to see locals climbing Coconut Palm Trees guests to try it out if they wish; coconut products madafu milk; baskets; rope; poles coconut palm caps. Further afield cassava plantations and bananas with their various products can be seen and tasted. Cassava weaving of baskets, floor mats, brooms, food covers etc. will set a prepared shadow place for a very local delicious feast lunch which shall be served while hot. We proceed to the last stop to be welcomed by drum-beats where guests are requested to participate with refreshments of fruits of the season and soft drinks including coconut with milk(MADAFU).

 

The local markets in Zanzibar
Dhow Sunset Cruise along the coastline of Stone Town

In the evening, depart from the hotel for a sunset cruise along Stone Town waterfront, Dhow Sunset Cruise, this romantic local dhow cruise is the most exciting sea safari starting from Stone Town and sailing along the Indian Ocean and formerly Azania Long Beach, clients will get a good glimpse of wonderful scenes of the Indian Ocean, along the Stone Town shorelines. We will make your evening memorable, soothing you with a light sea breeze while our sea professional staff will serve you with a variety of aperitifs, and experienced Swahili singers will entertain you with their traditional live music on board. The roaster is between Prison Island, Green Snakes Island, Grave ISLAND etc. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 04

Depart Zanzibar

After your breakfast have to enjoy visiting Stone town of Zanzibar for last shopping in the Narrow Streets of Zanzibar, Bazaar, souvenir and antique shops. Before being escorted to Zanzibar Airport for your trip back home.  (Flight at own arrangements)

Tour Cost

2025
$1,030 per person sharing (x 2 Adults)

Price Includes

03 Night’s accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
All road transfers as per itinerary
Guided Spice Tour and Mangapwani Slaves Caves Tour
Cultural Tour and Sunset Cruise
Tourism Levy

Price Excludes

Visas if required
Personal items and gratuities
Laundry
Meals not specified
Bar accounts not specified and premium imports
Additional activities/sightseeing/entry fees/park fees
Flights
Airport taxes
Travel Insurance

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Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
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Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
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27 December 2024
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Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
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Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
Maria Lohan
Maria Lohan
01 August 2024
Lize helped us find accommodation in Kruger when there was practically none to be got - and t was the best place. The tours she booked were tremendous and the people she booked were great and we are very grateful and glad we had the opportunity to book with Lize. Maria & family form Belfast
Arishana Riek
Arishana Riek
03 July 2024
Tailormade itinerary with knowledgeable guides (Apartheid Museum and Cradle of Humankind).
Sivan Debeljakovic
Sivan Debeljakovic
03 July 2024
Petru, of African Travel Gateway, planned our 12-day South Africa-Zimbabwe itinerary for three of us (arriving from two continents). Her expertise, keen insights, and care in arranging the most perfect accommodation for us, prompt and efficient transfers/drivers, and booking all internal flights, meant this was the smoothest, most enjoyable holiday experience, ever! We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but the precision-timing with transfers, and Petru's choice of such knowledgeable and personable tour guides really made all the difference. Huge thanks to Natasha (Afrifriends) and Chris (Paradise)! Highlights were: The Peech Hotel in J'burg (delightful boutique hotel with a fabulous breakfast - thank you, Oliver!); Ilala Lodge in Zimbabwe; Nkorho Bush Lodge in Sabi Sand (if you want up close & personal experiences with the wildlife, this is where you need to go!); Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek (perfectly appointed and beautiful accommodation); Boschendal Winery (try the pinotage; farm shop is a must!); Woodstock Markets in Cape Town (so much to see and buy here!). We had the most exceptional holiday – we will definitely return to SA in the future, and will be utilising the expert services of Petru at ATG. Thank you again, Petru.
Sergio Santini
Sergio Santini
03 June 2024
Petru has been our reference person at African Travel Gateway: she organised our self-drive travel through South Africa during April 2024. The itinerary has been tailored according to our wishes and her suggestions. She did a great job , fully meeting our requirements and tacking care about us in real time even during the trip. We really enjoyed the safaris she proposed and we saw what has to be seen in this beautiful country for a 3 weeks visit. The TravelKey App was new for us; it is an efficient tool and has been a very positive experience, having everything filed in the HP.
lilia sanabria
lilia sanabria
25 May 2024
I recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Namibia, and I owe it all to Bianca and her exceptional expertise! From the moment I contacted African Travel Gateway, Bianca was warm, knowledgeable, and dedicated to crafting a personalized itinerary that exceeded my expectations. Bianca not only helped me plan a seamless trip, but also introduced me to an incredible guide, Nicco Visser, who brought the country to life with his expertise, love for his country and passion for photography. With Nicco by my side, I experienced the real Namibia - from the stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife to the vibrant culture and warm hospitality of the people. Thank you, Bianca, for connecting me with Nicco and helping me create memories that will stay with me forever!"
Bill Lenew
Bill Lenew
13 May 2024
Amazing, Outstanding and Fabulous are a few words to describe our Safari. This was my 7th African Safari, that Lize at So. African Travel has planned for my Family and Friends. All of them were extremely over the top and satisfying. From the accommodations, to the food and most of all seeing all of the Big Five at every Lodge. I highly recommend using Lize, as she has always given us many options to pick from. All of which have been perfectly organized by Lize. Once you fly into Johannesburg, she reserves a room for you at the Hotel right next to the airport. Then the next morning we fly into the Krueger to get to our Lodge. She also organizes the flight for you. And then after the Safari, we usually go into Cape Town, which she also organizes that flight too. We can't say enough about what a Great Travel Agent Lize is. If you want your trip to be perfect call Lize! Thank you Lize! as I said before "You're the Best"! Karen Lenew.
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