Zanzibar Spice Tour — what you see, smell and taste on the spice island

Why Zanzibar is called "the Spice Island"

Zanzibar was once the spice capital of the world. In the 19th century, the Zanzibar Sultanate controlled the entire spice trade of East Africa. Cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom — all grew on this small island and were shipped from there to the rest of the world.

You can still smell that history. Literally. As you drive through the gardens of the interior, there's a sweet, warm scent in the air you find nowhere else. That's the real Zanzibar.

A spice tour — a visit to one or more spice farms — is for me an absolute must on any Zanzibar visit. Not because it's a tourist trap (though there are certainly bad versions), but because it connects you with the soul of the island.

What you see and smell on a spice tour

A good spice tour takes you to working farms, not showgardens. You see:

Clove trees: Zanzibar's most important export. The smell of a clove tree is overwhelming and at the same time familiar. The dried flowers we know as cloves are the unripe buds of this tree.

Nutmeg: the fruit looks like a peach. Inside is the seed (the nutmeg itself) surrounded by mace — another spice. One fruit gives you two spices.

Cinnamon: the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. Local guides peel a piece and let you rub it — the smell is more intense than anything you know from a jar.

Black pepper, turmeric, ginger, lemon, vanilla and much more grow together on a relatively small plot. Some guides let you taste fresh ginger or freshly pressed fruit juice on the spot.

The most special moments

Coconut palm climbing: in most good tours a local young man effortlessly climbs 15 metres up a coconut palm and throws a fresh coconut down. The water is refreshing and the nut is hacked open on the spot.

Leaves as dye: local guides draw on your arm or hands with the sap of a leaf — a temporary tattoo that lasts for hours. Children love this.

Farm lunch: the best spice tours end with a lunch of local ingredients — curries, spiced rice, fresh fruit. Eating from the spice farm itself is better than any restaurant.

Which tour to choose?

There are dozens of spice tour operators in Zanzibar. Quality varies enormously.

Beware of the cheapest bus-group tours from Stone Town (€10-15 per person). These work with fixed showgardens, have at least three other groups simultaneously and provide little context.

Go for a small private tour or small group (max 8 people) with a certified local guide. Price: approximately $30-60 per person including transport and lunch.

The best spice tours go to the Kizimbani district or the Kidichi area — the historic heart of spice production. Always ask about the location when booking.

Combine with Stone Town

The most efficient day plan for a spice tour:

Morning: spice tour (approximately 3 hours including lunch) Afternoon: explore Stone Town — the Slave Market, the Old Fort, the Freddie Mercury Museum and the narrow lanes of the UNESCO World Heritage city. Evening: Forodhani Gardens Night Market for street food at sunset.

That's a perfect Zanzibar day. Scents, flavours, history and evening light over the Indian Ocean.

My honest opinion

I'm critical of tourist activities. Too many are superficial or disrespectful of local culture. The spice tour is one of the few I always recommend — if you choose the right one.

A good spice tour makes you feel how the island smells. That's something that stays with you long after the safari's dusty adventures have faded.