Prison Island Zanzibar
The half day tour is a
short boat trip to Prison Island its kind of paradise on earth. See the giant
tortoises wandering around, escape for peace and enjoy the coral reefs while
snorkeling.This historical Island was formerly owned by an
Arab and used for the confinement of refractory slaves. In 1893, Lloyd Mathews
built the prison, with the idea of sending violent criminals from the
Tanganyika mainland to the 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 is still owned by the Zanzibar
government.
The old prison still remains standing, providing
shelter for the giant tortoises which are conserved on the Prison Island. You
can walk in the quarantine center and come face to face with these amazing
creatures.
