Spice Farm Tour

Overview

Visit a spice farm and see how some of Zanzibar’s best-known spices, fruits and plants are grown.

The tour is mostly about walking through the farm, seeing the plants in their natural form and learning how they are used. It is a good choice for visitors who want to understand why Zanzibar is so closely associated with spices instead of only seeing them in markets or shops.

A Spice Farm Tour gives you a closer look at one of the things Zanzibar has long been known for: growing spices and tropical plants. Spice farm visits are also promoted by the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism as one of the island’s established visitor activities.

Rather than seeing dried spices on a shop shelf, you walk through the farm and see the plants themselves. Depending on what is growing at the time, you may come across spices such as cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, nutmeg and others, together with tropical fruits and useful plants.

The guide explains how the plants grow, which parts are used and how they are commonly used in cooking or daily life. Visitors can also smell and examine the plants as they move around the farm.

The experience is relaxed and practical. It suits people who are interested in food, plants, local agriculture or simply want to see a different side of Zanzibar away from beaches and Stone Town.

A Spice Farm Tour also works naturally alongside a Stone Town Walking Tour because the two experiences show very different parts of Zanzibar within the same day.

Additional Information

The tour involves walking around an outdoor farm, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Light clothing and sun protection are useful, especially during warmer parts of the day.
Some paths may be natural farm paths rather than paved walkways, so footwear that is comfortable for walking is a better choice than formal shoes.
Spices or other products may be available to buy at some farms, but purchases are optional and separate from the tour.
Hotel pickup and return can be arranged for visitors staying elsewhere in Zanzibar. Transport is separate from the tour fee.
The exact plants you see can vary because farms change with growing conditions and season.

Alice M November 4, 2025

Amazing Stone Town Tour!

Mady gave us the best and most educational tour of Stone Town! It was a walking tour that went way beyond our expectations. He’s incredibly knowledgeable about the history and culture of Zanzibar, Stone Town, and Tanzania — basically the entire African continent as a whole. You can tell he truly loves what he does and takes pride in sharing his country’s rich heritage. We learned so much more than we ever would have on our own. Having someone who knows the backstreets and local spots made all the difference. We visited the spice market and the night food market, learned about local foods and customs, and shopped at a community center that supports local women and artisans. We had an amazing time and highly recommend Mady to anyone looking for an authentic, fun, and enriching experience in Zanzibar!

gracesmy November 14, 2025

Absolutely the best guide in Tanzania, nevertheless Stone Town

Mady was BEYOND fabulous in every sense of the word- we arrived on a delayed flight and with only a half hour’s notice he had us on a private Dhow sunset cruise (with a PLATTER of fresh fruits and fresh coconuts (water and then meat). Met up with us again the next morning for an AMAZINGLY informative walking tour of Stone Town, completely directing the tour based on our interests. Showed us the best spice vendor in town, the only textile vendor who still uses a loom, the best local restaurant, provided many suggestions for activities, food, and entertainment, and of course showed us the churches, mosques, slave Museum, and a devout and thorough history of Stone Town from its origins with Natives, colonizations and all the way up to today. After our walking tour he even set us up with a great snorkeling and beach trip to finish out our day, securing all our gear for fair prices. Mady’s understanding and communication of the English language is second only to his patience and answering all 10,000 questions we had for him. It was truly a wonderful experience getting to know Stone Town through Mady and I will recommend him to everyone I meet.

Tripp W November 2, 2025

Best tour guide in Zanzibar

Mady is a phenomenal tour guide who is extremely knowledgeable and doesn’t rush you through the city. He takes his time and answers all questions you may have about anything in Stone Town. He gives you the accurate prices from the vendors before you visit them. You’re missing out if you don’t book a tour with Mady. Avoid the guys who don’t give the true facts and book with him.

Maria G November 11, 2025

Informative, fun tour!

Amazing tour! Thanks Mady! We did almost three hours through stone town. We got an overview of the history, the culture, etc. We saw all of the sights and explored the small streets.

Questions & Answers

Allow around 2–3 hours for the farm visit itself. Some spice farms list visits in the 1–3 hour range depending on the experience offered. Tripadvisor

Yes. It can be particularly useful if you are interested in seeing where familiar spices come from and learning how they are used locally.

Some spice farms sell spices and other locally produced items. Any purchase is optional and paid separately.

Spice Farm Tour

Overview

Tour Highlights

What's Included

What's Not Included

Additional Information

Tour Photos