Exploring Spices of Zanzibar
If you are first time on Zanzibar, spice tour on Zanzibar is one of the more interesting and educating tours about Zanzibari spices, flavours and fruits.
Spices have played an important role in Zanzibari culture and history. Arabs started large spice plantations making Zanzibar the world’s biggest exporter of cloves at the time. Nowadays clove production is still present mostly on Pemba Island, and few plantations on Zanzibar grow it only for purpose of tourist spice tours.
Spice tour on Zanzibar is bookable almost in every hotel, prices vary and the cheapest rates are available when you start the Spice Tour from Stone Town. On an almost four hour guided walk through Kizimbani spice plantation you will see various fruits like jackfruit, breadfruit, pineapples, passion fruit, durian, aloe vera, bananas and coconuts, henna bushes as well as wide range of aromatic plants like cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, nutmeg, ginger, lemon grass, saffron and clove – the signature spice of Zanzibar.
It was really informative and interesting to learn about how each spice grows, is harvested and later used. In addition, everything you will see on spice tour on Zanzibar you will have a chance to taste or smell!
You Will Probably Learn Something New on Spice Tour on Zanzibar
Chew a clove pod in order to reduce bad breath or ease the toothache, crush up some turmeric to omit acne, chew a ginger root if you have stomach ache or boil some of the cinnamon root to ease your respiratory problems (it’s the main ingredient in Vicks vapor rub), … and the list of remedies could go on and on.
We all know aloe Vera; it is used in after sun lotions as soothes the irritated skin. African women lubricate their barest with Aloe Vera extract when they quit breastfeeding. Because of extremely sour taste babies don’t want to drink milk anymore. In addition pure Aloe Vera extract is also used with children that bite their nails.
Did you know that vanilla grows on vines and looks like string beans? Or that it takes seven long years until they start to grow the valuable vanilla pods?
At the end of tour a local climbs to the coco nut palm and fetches completely fresh green coconut then guide takes you to final tasting for different spice teas and delicious slices of tropical fruits.
Of course – at the end of spice tour on Zanzibar you can buy what you have tasted during the tour. There is a stand with all dried spices that are grown on the plantation as well as oils and extracts and natural organic soaps. Seize the opportunity and have a Spicy shopping spree. It is cheap and natural. Paid 5000 TSH for pack of three spices, much cheaper than in Stone Town shops.
Since getting from one point to another on Zanzibar costs quite a lot it is smart idea to include spice tour on the way to the beach. Cost of tour: 45 USd per person.
Tipping on Spice Tour
As much as the spice tour is interesting there is an element of tourist trap within! Nobody will tell you upon booking the spice tour, that you will be joined by additional guides and artists. Actually they just glue themselves like shadows during the tour. Although paying for spice tour, you will have to tip your guide at the end.
Nothing is free. And there are more people to tip! The guy who climbs the palm and brings you coconut, and the artist guy who will be following your during the tour and impose his creations made of leaves. A bit annoying!
Have you been on spice tour on Zanzibar? Let us know your experience in comments below!
I am really fascinated by places like this, it is interesting to learn about different spices and medicinal treatments, but I have also noticed that they have a tendency to be a bit of a tourist trap. It is such a shame as I tend to avoid any Spice tours these days because of all the hassle you get 🙁 Your photos are lovely.
I have never been before, so this tour was for me still an experience.
I’ve never been on a spice tour before but this looks interesting; however 45USD sounds pretty steep considering there are other hidden costs associated with it. Those are some crazy looking fruits and plants, though! I’d also love to learn about the health benefits in different spices.
Its Africa, there are many times where costs are hidden:) Nevertheless I enjoyed the tour.
really cool trivia. I love spices and use them all the time for cooking. Can’t believe the cinnamon I use for baking is the same stuff that is in Vicks – that stuff is vile to smell.
I was equally impressed when I heard that 😀
I’m fascinated by the ways plants are used for cooking and medicine. Thanks for sharing!
Locals on Zanzibar mainly all have knowledge about natural remedies from plants. Many I met, dont see doctor but rather rely on natural stuff.
I would love to visit Zanzibar and learn about the different spices they grow there. Good to know about the tipping, too.
Tara, if you have a chance, its beautiful island and am sure you will enjoy it.
I love spices, so this tour would be so much fun for me. It’s good to know that you have to tip the guide at the end. I never know about tipping in other countries.
In Tanzania, tipping is very common and represent main income for some guides.
Wow — how cool is this? I love tours that educate us during our travels. I’m not sure how I feel about all the extra guides tagging along for tips, though! Thanks for sharing your experience — by the way, lovely photos!
Thanks Natasha. I would be much more happy if someone told me I will have to tip additional guys, as I travel in Africa I always take the minimum change while touring during the day.
Sounds like you learned so much. I’ve only recently started getting into spices, but I love trying them. I might get the chance to go on a spice tour in the caribbean this winter. Fingers crossed!! They have a lot of nutmeg there, and nutmeg farms. Who knew? I can’t believe vanilla takes so long to grow! Pretty incredible.
Lately I am into spices and their natural benefits , its amazing how miraculous they work for our health. Crossing fingers for your spice tour!
I’m a huge foodie and a fan of cooking and eating different cuisines, so I would love to do this tour! There are some spices and fruits you mentioned that I’ve never heard of but would love to try. Great photos as well 🙂
I also heard for some of the fruits and spices for the first time on this tour.
I`m following your blog for a while now and I`m really appreciative for showing a different Africa, an offpath version, beside what media shows.
When I`m thinking of Zanzibar, I`m picturing beaches and nothing much, sure not a local spice tour. I`d do it in a heart beat!
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Zanzibar after all is known as spice Island, spice tour is a must:)
Hello I would love to stop for a spice tour while transit from airport to Nungwi. How should I book such a trip?
Hi, Maria, you can just arrange it with taxi driver. I personally would still want to unpack and leave my baggage in hotel. But for this tour all you need is taxi, you pay him also for waiting time of course. You can contact Tamim, the taxi driver I use always,if you wish. you can find out more bout him here in this Zanzibar Taxi post i wrote: https://safarijunkie.com/tanzania/cheap-taxi-on-zanzibar/