Colors of Zanzibar
Colors of Zanzibar
4.5
Cultural ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursWalking ToursNature & Wildlife ToursDay Trips
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Full view
About
Colors of Zanzibar is a sustainable tour operator with a Travelife sustainability certificate. We want to bring the locals and travellers together. We support local communities by facilitating economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
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Colors of Zanzibar
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4.5
127 reviews
Excellent
101
Very good
18
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
3
WydraWygra
Krakow, Poland55 contributions
Mar 2021
We had a great time on a tour to Prison Island. I booked the tour online for a family of four and received a confirmation shortly. Our guide picked us up from the hotel right on time and took us on a very pleasant boat trip to Prison Island, and afterwards for snorkeling on a nearby reef. Our tour started at 9am and it quicklu turned out an early start was a great idea as we were literally the first tourists both on the island and the reef and we had it all to ourselves before many more boats arrived with other people.
Everything was exactly as described and as expected. Our guide was very nice, answered all our questions, jumped into the water to swim with us and even bought some local sweets to show us how baobab candy tastes.
Special congratulations to trainee tour guide Aziza who will one day become Zanzibar's best female tour guide!
Everything was exactly as described and as expected. Our guide was very nice, answered all our questions, jumped into the water to swim with us and even bought some local sweets to show us how baobab candy tastes.
Special congratulations to trainee tour guide Aziza who will one day become Zanzibar's best female tour guide!
Written 8 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor
2 contributions
Jan 2023
We had such a lovely time learning about Zanzibar's history! Our guide, Fatma, took us through the town showing us historical sites, as well as to local shops. I was especially interested in learnings about the East African slave trade, since in the U.S. we only really learn about the West African slave trade.
Fatma took us to Prisoner Island (which was beautiful!) and gave us a walking tour. We were able to see the tortoises, with the oldest being 197 years old. She also came along with us to the spice farm, and did a great job making it interactive having us guess which plants created which spices. We had delicious food while there as well.
I would highly recommend using Colors of Zanzibar to learn more about the rich culture and see all of the best sites Stonetown (and nearby) have to offer.
Fatma took us to Prisoner Island (which was beautiful!) and gave us a walking tour. We were able to see the tortoises, with the oldest being 197 years old. She also came along with us to the spice farm, and did a great job making it interactive having us guess which plants created which spices. We had delicious food while there as well.
I would highly recommend using Colors of Zanzibar to learn more about the rich culture and see all of the best sites Stonetown (and nearby) have to offer.
Written 11 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beaubo
Cleveland Ohio USA331 contributions
Sept 2020
I was impressed that the company was able to scramble and hunt down a guide with less than the two hour notice I provided them. Fatma was assigned as my guide for a Stone Town Your. Apparently, in the last few years, female guides have broken the gender barrier. Her gender aside, Fatma proved to be a smart, savvy and energetic guide. I kept her busy with a lot of questions that she thoughtfully answered.
We covered a lot of ground both walking and talking, and I appreciated Fatna's dedication and enthusiasm. I wish I had more time with her to squeeze in a Spice Tour, maybe next time.
Overall, I wa thrilled with my experience.
We covered a lot of ground both walking and talking, and I appreciated Fatna's dedication and enthusiasm. I wish I had more time with her to squeeze in a Spice Tour, maybe next time.
Overall, I wa thrilled with my experience.
Written 19 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tash614
London, UK6 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Colours of Zanzibar detail in their website that their Ethical Dolphin Tours are offered in partnership with Africa Impact Foundation but when I contacted the foundation they denied the existence of any partnership. After finding out that the information on their website was false I tried to cancel the trip but they would not offer a refund as it was less than 24 hours before the trip. This felt unreasonable as their website information had made false claims. On challenging these claims with them, they would not directly respond to my questions. I would advise against booking with this company if you are looking for a credible eco-friendly dolphin tour.
Written 22 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon A
6 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a great tour - informed, interesting and filled with unexpected sights and wonderful culinary experiences. Saida met me promptly at the quay and off we went, after a coffee much needed by me. She know an enormous amount about Stonetown, as someone who grew up there and provides insight in the history as well as contemporary life. I had asked to do two tours, as I only had a day in Zanzibar, and for the second half we walk through the colourful market, speaking to vendors, sampling foods along the way. All were local and very careful chosen, lunch was a highlight. All in all, a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it.
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. It is nice to hear that you appreciate the local insight for the tours, we strive with the local knowledge which makes us unique. We hope to see you once again in our lovely little island.
Written 6 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Moussa S
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Family
First of all special thanks to Asmaa for the amazing job done to make this happen the way I wanted it. Stayed in Paje, Stone town and Kendwa. Everything was well planned and executed from taking over referral visas, pick up to the airport, day tours, transfers to drop off 5/5.
I fully recommend Colors of Zanzibar services, proactive and very listening staff (Asmaa, Sohaili) Aziza the best guide and Zumba the driver.
I fully recommend Colors of Zanzibar services, proactive and very listening staff (Asmaa, Sohaili) Aziza the best guide and Zumba the driver.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia J
Heidelberg, Germany10 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
I did Nungwi Village, the Turtle Sanctuary, Sunset Cruise, a transfer from Kiwengwa to Stone Town, Stone Town Tour, Jozani Forest, Full Day Cruise, Spice Tour and Culinary tour all with Colors of Zanzibar. I had a blast and learned so much! They are very responsive on WhatsApp and email, which has been much appreciated for a solo female traveler. Mohammed was a great guide for all the tours except the Spice and Culinary ones. Fatma, who loves to cook, made the perfect guide for the latter two. Just try and stop me coming back!
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful review, we are so happy to hear you enjoyed the tours and appreciated our guides. We will not even try to stop you, we welcome you to come again soonest, the island life is waiting for you :)
Written 6 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alicia G
Edinburgh, UK32 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
Went for a 3h trip to Prison Island with two friends. Our guide Aziza picked us up from our hostel and accompanied us throughout. She was incredibly kind, and gave us a good tour around. It takes about 25' by speedboat to get to the island from Stone Town.
Prison Island itself is very sad; it's supposed to be a tortoise sanctuary, but in reality is a glorified petting zoo. It is 'prohibited' to touch the animals, and yet you see tour guides petting the tortoises and encouraging tourists to do the same while security guards just watch them do so. Aziza was very much against it, which made us happy as we agree with her. Also, the younglings and babies are literally in a cage for over 10 years before they even get direct sunlight. It is heartbreaking.
After that, we went to the back of the island to snorkel... and that was also a bit disappointing. The snorkelling equipment provided was quite cheap but ok, we didn't bring our own. There is a coral reef, so that's cool, and you can see some nice fish. But also you can see plastic cutlery and plates left by people having picnincs in the boats nearby. Quite sad.
Prison Island itself is very sad; it's supposed to be a tortoise sanctuary, but in reality is a glorified petting zoo. It is 'prohibited' to touch the animals, and yet you see tour guides petting the tortoises and encouraging tourists to do the same while security guards just watch them do so. Aziza was very much against it, which made us happy as we agree with her. Also, the younglings and babies are literally in a cage for over 10 years before they even get direct sunlight. It is heartbreaking.
After that, we went to the back of the island to snorkel... and that was also a bit disappointing. The snorkelling equipment provided was quite cheap but ok, we didn't bring our own. There is a coral reef, so that's cool, and you can see some nice fish. But also you can see plastic cutlery and plates left by people having picnincs in the boats nearby. Quite sad.
Written 18 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magdalena
Linz, Austria27 contributions
Jan 2023
I cannot stress enough how highly I recommend Colors of Zanzibar. We had a wonderful experience with them, and our guide Aziza was friendly and knowledgeable.
We did two tours with them:
The Zesty Zanzibar tour, where we had an amazing time cooking with mama Sofia and then visiting a spice farm. Everyone was very friendly and answering all our questions. In the spice farm we had a traditional lunch including what we cooked before and freshly picked up fruit from the farm. The transport was comfortable and the driver was good.
The next day we did a tour to Prison Island. We went with a traditional boat to the island, visited the tortoise sanctuary and the former luxury hotel and after that we did some snorkel in the coral reef.
I can just say that I wish we had more time to do some of their other cultural tours. They make a big effort to offer something different and authentic. Also, it is a plus for me that they support women’s livelihoods, as this is something very close to my heart.
We did two tours with them:
The Zesty Zanzibar tour, where we had an amazing time cooking with mama Sofia and then visiting a spice farm. Everyone was very friendly and answering all our questions. In the spice farm we had a traditional lunch including what we cooked before and freshly picked up fruit from the farm. The transport was comfortable and the driver was good.
The next day we did a tour to Prison Island. We went with a traditional boat to the island, visited the tortoise sanctuary and the former luxury hotel and after that we did some snorkel in the coral reef.
I can just say that I wish we had more time to do some of their other cultural tours. They make a big effort to offer something different and authentic. Also, it is a plus for me that they support women’s livelihoods, as this is something very close to my heart.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie W
Fort Collins, CO138 contributions
Oct 2021
We were in Zanzibar for 4 days and used Colors of Zanzibar for all of our tour needs while there, in addition to airport shuttle service and transportation to the Covid testing site. We were extremely pleased with everything! They were puncutal, knowledgable, and fun.
Our first excursion was to Chumbe Island, in which CoZ took us to the rendezvous point. The Chumbe Island staff took over from there, but CoZ was there on time to pick us up at the end of the day.
Our second day we took a tour of Jozani Forest. Amigo was our guide and we really enjoyed him! He was very fun and knowledgeable. We had reservations for The Rock that afternoon, so they took us there and waited until our dinner was over to return us back to Stonetown.
On our third day, Amigo took us to a spice farm where we had a very enjoyable morning! You can't go to Zanzibar without experiencing their amazing spices! That afternoon he took us on a walking tour of Stonetown and taught us the incredible history.
I would highly recommend Colors of Zanzibar!
Our first excursion was to Chumbe Island, in which CoZ took us to the rendezvous point. The Chumbe Island staff took over from there, but CoZ was there on time to pick us up at the end of the day.
Our second day we took a tour of Jozani Forest. Amigo was our guide and we really enjoyed him! He was very fun and knowledgeable. We had reservations for The Rock that afternoon, so they took us there and waited until our dinner was over to return us back to Stonetown.
On our third day, Amigo took us to a spice farm where we had a very enjoyable morning! You can't go to Zanzibar without experiencing their amazing spices! That afternoon he took us on a walking tour of Stonetown and taught us the incredible history.
I would highly recommend Colors of Zanzibar!
Written 19 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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