Changuu Island also known as Prison Island (also known as Kibandiko, Prison or Quarantine Island) lies about 30 min by boat from Stone Town, is a small island 5.6 km northwest of Stone Town, Unguja, Zanzibar. Changuu is named after the Swahili name of a fish which is common in the seas around it, though it is shown as “Kibandiko Island” on some older maps, but this name is no longer used.
The Prison Island is around 800m long and 230m wide at its broadest point. The Prison Island was formerly owned by an Arab and saw use for confinement of refractory slaves, with the objective of building a prison but no prisoners were ever housed here instead the island became a quarantine station for yellow fever epidemics. The station was only occupied for around half of the year and the rest of the time it was a popular holiday destination. More recently, the island has become a government-owned tourist resort and houses a collection of endangered Aldabra giant tortoises which were originally a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles. The island was sold by the Arabs especially because slave trade had been abolished. A prison to serve Zanzibar was built on the island and completed in 1894 from where it got its name.
It was bought by General Lloyd Mathews and the jail (goal) which still stands was built in 1893 and hence the name “PRISON ISLAND”. In 1919 the British governor of Seychelles sent a gift in form of four Aldabra giant tortoises to Changuu. Presently this species is considered vulnerable and has been placed on the IUCN Red List. There is a dedicated foundation on the island which looks after the tortoises’ welfare. Visitors are able to observe and feed the tortoises.
Today Prison Island is known for its excellent views of Stone Town, there is a beautiful beach, good snorkeling, a ruin and the giant tortoises (= changuu) from which the island gets its Kiswahili name.
Number of half day or full day tours are taken to visit this beautiful island and the tour includes a visit to the historic Prison Island with its giant land tortoise. While on the island you will be able to observe and feed the tortoises, swim, sunbathe and snorkel.
What to do in Prison Islands.
See and feed the Giant Tortoises
The old prison still remains standing, providing shelter for some of the giant tortoises which were originally a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles, and have now multiplied a lot, and can now only be found on this Island, and the cells. You will get the opportunity to visit the tortoise sanctuary, which contains a large colony of giant tortoise. The average weight of these creatures is 200 kg, and many of them are said to be over 150 years old. There will be a chance to touch the tortoise, feed them and take photos. The island is also a home to a colony of beautiful peacocks.
Snorkeling
If your fun to snorkeling adventure, you got a great chance to dive into the waters and enjoy a crazy moment from here. For the rest of the trip you can either enjoy the marine life as you snorkel around the coral that fringes Prison Island or just relax under the warm glow of the sun, until you head back to Stone Town. Snorkeling can be arranged as part of your visit here.
Visit Lloyd Mathew’s Architecture
In 1893, Lloyd Mathews built the prison. The prison idea was to send violent criminals from the Tanganyika mainland to the Prison Island. The Prison Island ended up being used as a quarantine center, instead of a prison, for yellow fever epidemics that once raged through the region. Prison Island remained in the ownership of the government which converted the newer quarantine buildings into a guest house. The facility still stand, and you can take a walk around touring it, and look at the design.
Where to stay!
This ceased to function but has since been reopened as a hotel by a private company. There are 15 holiday cottages in the northwest of the island as well as a tennis court, swimming pool and library and the old European Bungalow has been turned into a restaurant named after Mathews Freshwater is transported to the island via an underwater pipe from the Zanzibar mainland.
The island is still owned by the government, which charges a US$4 entry fee. The old prison remains standing, providing shelter for some of the tortoises and the cells can be visited.
How to get to Prison Island
The 30-minute boat ride from Stone Town soon leaves behind the narrow streets of the old city, bringing you to the shores of one of Africa’s more notorious islands.