Also known as Changuu, the prison island in Zanzibar is a small island sprawling to only 5.6 kilometers in the north-west of Stone Town. The island is 230 meters wide and 800 meters long at its largest point.
This island became extremely useful as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s in addition to functioning as a coral mine. Its turbulent history aside, the prison island has slowly become a beautiful and must-see treasure of Tanzania, with its top attraction being the vast and wonderful home to giant tortoises.
Location of Prison Island
The Prison Island is situated northwest of Stone Town, Unguja Island within the Zanzibar archipelago.
History of Prison Island
Changuu is a Swahili name for a fish that is common in the ocean around it, although it is also referred to as Kibandiko Island.
Changuu Island was not occupied until the 1960s when the first sultan of Zanzibar, Majid Bin Said, offered it to two Arab traders to use as a prison for rebellious slaves before being shipped abroad or sold at the local slave trade market in Stone Town.
Zanzibar was made a British protectorate after the 1890 Heligoland-Zanzibar treaty with Germany, and this led to the appointment of Lloyd Mathews as British first minister in 1891.
Changuu Island was then purchased by Lloyd Mathews in 1893, after which he built a prison complex on the site.
It was meant to shelter harsh and recidivist criminals from the mainland that was still under the control of Zanzibar.
Interestingly, prison buildings were finalized by 1894, but at the time, no prisoners were sheltered on the island, and instead, it became a quarantine center for yellow fever patients.
The old prison was turned into the facility’s hospital in 1923, hence the island’s name became “Quarantine Island.”
The name “prison” originated from the fact that it was built to serve as a prison and was only utilized for around half a year and became a renowned tourist destination for the rest of the time.
During the low season, this island became a famous leisure resort for European and local tourists of Zanzibar.
A state-of-the-art building referred to as the “European Bungalow” was constructed in the late 1890s to accommodate holidaymakers, even though the number of visitors was limited because the only freshwater on the island was rainwater stored in underground tanks.
Huge pits that remained from earlier coral mining on the island and used as construction material were cleaned out to be used as swimming pools.
This beautiful island just recently became a government-owned tourist resort with a plethora of endangered Aldabra giant tortoises that were, interestingly, a gift from the British governor of Seychelles.
Tortoises from the island of Aldabra were sent to Changuu Island in 1919 but have since then become permanent residents.
In 1931, a new complex of quarantine buildings was set up in the southwestern part of the island, greatly improving the quarantine capacity to over 904 people.
By 1955, the number of tortoises on the island had tremendously increased, with some being stolen for food while others were sold as pets.
More than 80 hatchling were shipped in to boost the tortoise population once again on the island.
The average weight of these tortoises is about 200 kilograms, and many of them are said to be over 150 years old.
Climate of the Prison Island
The Prison Island in Zanzibar experiences two rainy seasons, with the long one starting from March to peaking in April and May.
Dusting starts by the end of June, and the short rainy season starts from November to December.
The remaining months of the year experience little or no rain, whereas the wet season has very low rainfall each day and not at all times of the day.
During these months, the sky becomes clearer, and sunshine fills the whole town.
The prison island also experiences two dry seasons, with the cool dry one being in June, July, August, September, and October, while the humid dry season being in January and February.
Dry seasons here generally experience high temperatures.
Attractions in Changuu – Prison Island
Below are some of the attractions in Changuu – Prison Island, Zanzibar.
Giant Tortoises
Prison Island is today a haven for Zanzibar’s oldest residents, descendants of the Aldabra giant tortoises.
In 1919, Changuu Island received a gift of four specimens of Aldabra Giant Tortoises from the British Governor of Seychelles.
These Tortoises were from the island of Aldabra, multiplied quickly, and by 1955 had grown to 200 individuals.
However, their numbers dropped because residents began to steal them for sale abroad, food, and pets.
There were only about 100 tortoises by 1988, about 50 in 1990, and only 7 in 1996.
However, in 1996, more than 80 hatchlings were sent to the island, increasing their number, although over 40 of them disappeared.
These tortoises are now considered vulnerable under the IUCN Red List.
During your visit here, you can watch and feed these calm, beautiful, and friendly tortoises.
Other wildlife species on this island are Suni antelopes, bats, frogs, duikers, Sykes monkeys, lizards, and colorful peacocks, among others.
Old Prison Buildings
After exploring resident giant tortoises, visitors can also get a chance to visit the old prison building of Changuu Island.
It was originally constructed as a prison to shelter violent slaves before being shipped to foreign or local slave trade markets.
However, it was never utilized as a prison but was instead made a quarantine center for yellow fever patients.
Just a 5-minute walk across the island leads visitors to the Former Prison Ruins.
Tourist Activities at the Prison Island in Zanzibar
Below are some of the activities in Changuu – Prison Island, Zanzibar.
Guided Nature Walks
Undertaking guided nature walks to explore beautiful prison island at the end of the Wooden Bridge is breathtaking and worthwhile.
Giant tortoises are the must-see attractions during these guided nature walks, but also expect to encounter stunning peacocks, bats, antelopes, and mind-blowing butterflies that call the island home.
Boat Rides
Visitors can take a boat ride to the mainland of Zanzibar to explore the stunning Stone Town.
While here, you can walk along the streets, view remnants of the town’s diverse cultural heritage and ancient buildings.
Historical sites such as the sultan’s palace, Anglican Church, and the House of Wonders, among others, will also be explored.
The verdant forest of Jozani is a must-visit add-on destination for your primate safari in Tanzania.
Relaxation by the Beach Side
If there is a place on earth that offers total relaxation, then it is the prison island of Zanzibar.
It offers endless opportunities for unwinding along the remarkable white sandy beaches with turquoise waters.
These conditions and many other experiences make it exciting to swim or sunbathe under the tropical sunshine.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
You can spend quality time on your oceanic vacation in Zanzibar snorkeling and scuba diving at different coral reef sites, home to amazing varieties of coral.
These coral gardens shelter a wide array of reef fish such as zebra fish, angelfish, parrot fish, clown fish, lion fish, and many others.
During these adventures, you can also sight sea horses, eels, turtles, and many others.
Best Time to Visit Prison Island
Prison Island can be visited throughout the year, but unforgettable experiences are achieved when you visit during the cool dry season – June to October; this period synchronizes with the long summer holidays in Europe and America.
Therefore, The Island receives the highest number of visitors during this season.
The second peak season to visit Prison Island starts from mid-December to February.
This is also the beginning of a festive holiday season in Europe and America; hence most foreign travelers desire to spend cold months in the warmer areas of Africa, with Zanzibar Island being one of them.
Accommodation Facilities Within or Near Prison Island
Changuu Island lodge is the main accommodation facility within Prison Island and rewards guests with breathtaking ocean views in two different locations and specifications.
There are 15 cottages on the northwestern part of the island, and these were constructed with natural raw materials like thatched roofs as well as mud walls.
Guests can also stay within the southwestern side of the island overlooking Stone Town, where a total of 12 cottages are set within the historic quarantine zone of The Prison Island.
How to Get To Prison Island in Zanzibar
A 20-30 minutes’ boat ride from Stone Town, through the ocean, can lead you to the shores of Prison Island in Zanzibar.
There in coral reefs in the shallow waters, you can enjoy views of starfish and also gather some beautiful shells as souvenirs.
Besides Prison island tours, other tours on Zanzibar Island include day trips to Jozani forest – home to Zanzibar red colobus monkeys and other unique wildlife species, Quad Bike tours through remote African villages and plantations to see spice trees and baobabs, tours of the popular Stone Town to walk on the historical and cultural journey of the slave trade market, spice tours to identify and taste various spices and tropical fruits, sunset dhow cruising experiences with wine, seafood dinner, and definitely sunset views, Horseback Rides, snorkeling at Mnemba atoll, cave tours, skydiving, deep-sea fishing, and motorcycle tours, among others.
