Zanzibar earned its name as the Spice Island in the nineteenth century, when the sultans of Oman moved their capital here and planted the island with clove trees. For a time it was the world’s leading producer of cloves, and spices still grow on smallholdings and farms in the countryside north and east of Stone Town. A spice tour is a gentle, fascinating half-day: a guide leads you through the plantation, cutting bark, crushing leaves and splitting pods so you can see, smell and taste cinnamon, nutmeg and its red mace, cloves, black pepper, vanilla, cardamom, lemongrass, turmeric and ginger, as well as fruits such as jackfruit, starfruit and rambutan in season. Farm staff often weave hats and bracelets from palm leaves and climb coconut palms for fresh coconuts. This page links to a private spice farm tour on Viator, rated 4.5 by more than sixty travellers, that visits Jambo Spice Farm with free pickup in Stone Town and includes the farm entrance fee.
How it works: the tour is run by Paradise Tours and Safaris. It starts at 9:00 with free pickup from hotels in and around Stone Town, or at the Forodhani meeting point, and lasts about three hours. As a private tour, only your group takes part. A guide, private transport, the farm entrance fee and water are included, and you can cancel free of charge until 24 hours before. Children pay a reduced rate.
At the farm: Jambo Spice Farm is one of the established farms on the main spice route. Expect a slow walk through shaded plantings with plenty of stops to taste and smell, a fruit tasting, and the chance to buy spices, oils and soaps at the end. You are not obliged to buy, and a polite no is fine.
Making the most of it: wear closed shoes and insect repellent, and bring a little cash for spices and a tip for the farm guide. The tour pairs well with the Jozani Forest in the same direction, and the spice farms are also a good stop on the drive between Stone Town and the north coast.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walk through a working spice farm with tastings of spices and fruit, ending with a chance to buy spices and oils.
Best time
Morning, when it is cooler under the trees; any season works, though the rains in April and May make paths muddy.
How long
About three hours including the drive from Stone Town.
Tips
Wear closed shoes and insect repellent, bring small cash for spices and tips, and feel free to decline purchases politely.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and anyone curious about how cloves, nutmeg and vanilla actually grow.
- Families
- Easy walking, lots to touch and taste, and palm-leaf crafts make it a hit with children.
- Couples
- A relaxed, sensory morning that fits easily around a beach or Stone Town day.
- Pair with
- Jozani Forest in the afternoon, or Prison Island for a full Stone Town day.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Why is Zanzibar called the Spice Island?+
In the nineteenth century the sultans of Oman planted the island with clove trees and it became one of the world’s leading clove producers. Spices remain an important crop today.
Which spices will I see on the tour?+
Expect cloves, nutmeg and mace, cinnamon, black pepper, vanilla, cardamom, lemongrass, turmeric and ginger, plus seasonal fruit. The exact mix depends on the farm and the season.
Is pickup included?+
Yes, pickup is free from hotels in the Stone Town area. Pickups elsewhere on the island cost extra.
Do I have to buy spices at the end?+
No, there is no obligation to buy. Many visitors enjoy picking up fresh spices to take home, so bring a little cash if you want to.
Is the spice tour suitable for children?+
Yes, it is an easy, shaded walk with lots to taste and smell. Children pay a reduced rate.
