Why Zanzibar Is the Spice Island
In the 19th century, Zanzibar's Omani rulers planted cloves across the island, and within a few decades it became the world's leading clove producer. The spice trade brought great wealth, built the grand houses of Stone Town and shaped the island's food, culture and history. Your guide shares that story as you walk, including the darker chapter of the enslaved people who worked the early plantations. Today, spices are still grown on small farms across the island, and a spice tour is the best way to see them up close. Most visitors are surprised to find that they have never seen how everyday spices like pepper, nutmeg or vanilla actually grow.
What to Expect on the Spice Tour
Your guide leads you along shady paths through the farm, stopping to pick, crush and smell spices straight from the plant: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, ginger and more. Along the way, you learn how each spice is grown and harvested, and how Zanzibaris have used them as traditional remedies for generations. The tour is full of small surprises. You taste fresh tropical fruits from the farm, watch a farmer climb a tall coconut palm with nothing but a rope, and see palm leaves woven into hats, crowns and rings in minutes, often as a gift for you to wear. Before you leave, you can browse the spice shop and take home fresh spices, oils and soaps. The visit ends with a Swahili spice lunch at the farm, full of the flavours you have just discovered. Transport, entrance fees, lunch and your private guide are all included.
Good to Know Before You Go
The spice tour is a half day, with pickup from Stone Town or your hotel anywhere on the island. Transfer times vary depending on where you are staying, so guests in Stone Town have the shortest drive. The walking is easy and shaded, making the tour suitable for all ages. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing, bring insect repellent, and carry some cash if you would like to buy spices at the shop.
Add a Spice Tour to Your Zanzibar Holiday
The spice tour is an easy half day out during any Zanzibar beach holiday, and a perfect break from the sand on the beaches of Kendwa. Many guests combine it with a Stone Town city tour on the same day, since the farms and the old town are close together. It is a favourite add-on to a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar holiday, a relaxed treat on a honeymoon safari, and a gentle way to unwind after a Kilimanjaro climb. For a day on the water, a Mnemba Island snorkeling tour takes you to Zanzibar's best coral reef. Browse all our Tanzania activities to plan more days out.
