Private Zanzibar Tours
Private Zanzibar Tours — Just You, Your Guide & the Island
Skip the crowded group boat. Our private tours are yours alone — your own local guide, your own pace, and an itinerary built around what you actually want to see. Run by a Stone Town operator since 2014.
Quick Answer
A private Zanzibar tour is an excursion run exclusively for your own party — no strangers sharing your boat or vehicle — with a dedicated local guide and an itinerary you can shape. Nearly all of Blue Green's tours are private by default, from the Spice Farm and Stone Town to Jozani Forest and the Prison Island and Nakupenda sandbank day. Pricing is per person on a sliding scale, so the more people in your group, the lower the cost each. The main shared-boat exception is Safari Blue. To arrange one, just tell us your dates, group size, and interests.
Who's on your tourYour party only
Your guideA dedicated local guide
ItineraryFlexible & customisable
PricingPer person, drops with group size
Private tours from$10 per person
Main shared exceptionSafari Blue
What "private" really means
How a Private Zanzibar Tour Works
A private tour is not a premium upsell with the same crowded boat. It changes the whole shape of your day — who you travel with, who guides you, and how much say you have.
It's only your group
The boat, the vehicle, and the guide are reserved for your party — a couple, a family, or friends travelling together. No strangers, no waiting on a bus of twenty.
You set the pace
Linger longer at the sandbank, skip a stop you're not fussed about, start early for the light or later for a lie-in. A private guide adapts the day to you, not a fixed schedule.
A guide who's yours for the day
You get one born-and-raised Zanzibari guide focused on your group — answering your questions, taking your photos, and sharing the stories a rushed group tour never has time for.
You can make almost any excursion private, combine two into a custom full day, or build a multi-day plan. New to the island? Our 3-day Zanzibar itinerary is an easy starting point, and the best time to visit guide helps you pick your dates.
Why choose private
Six Reasons Travelers Book Private
Total flexibility
Your itinerary bends to you — swap stops, adjust timings, and add or drop activities on the day.
Privacy & comfort
Ideal for honeymooners, families with young children, or anyone who'd rather not share a boat with strangers.
Undivided attention
One guide for your group means better stories, better photos, and questions actually answered.
Door-to-door service
We arrange hotel pickup and drop-off so your private day runs from your door and back.
Better value in a group
Because pricing is per person, a family or group of friends often pays a surprisingly low per-head rate for a fully private day.
A licensed local operator
Your private tour is run in-house by a licensed Stone Town operator — not a subcontractor you've never met.
Private vs shared
Private or Shared — Which Is Right for You?
Both have their place. Private suits most travelers who want flexibility and space; a shared boat like Safari Blue keeps the price low and adds a sociable, group atmosphere.
| Private tour | Shared tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Who's with you | Your party only | Other travelers join |
| Itinerary | Flexible, built around you | Fixed route and timings |
| Pace | You decide | Set by the group |
| Per-person price | Higher solo; drops fast with group size | Lowest, fixed per seat |
| Best for | Couples, families, groups, photographers | Solo travelers & the sociable on a budget |
| Example | Most of our tours | Safari Blue |
Not sure which way to go? Our Zanzibar tour prices guide shows the per-person "from" rate for every tour so you can compare at a glance.
Make it private
Popular Tours You Can Book Private
Stone Town, Prison Island & Nakupenda
History, giant tortoises, and a seafood lunch on a pristine sandbank — a full private day that covers the island's icons.
Jozani Forest & Cave Swimming
Meet Zanzibar's endemic red colobus monkeys, then cool off in a crystal-clear natural cave — a relaxed private half day.
Sunset Dhow Cruise
Sail the Indian Ocean on a traditional dhow as the sun goes down — a private favourite for couples and honeymooners.
Mnemba, Turtles & Nungwi/Kendwa
Snorkel the Mnemba atoll, swim with rescued turtles, and unwind on the north coast's best beaches — a full private day.
Spice Farm Tour
Touch, smell, and taste Zanzibar's famous spices on a private half-day walk through a working farm — the island's best-value tour.
Build your own
Combine two tours, add a safari, or design a multi-day plan. Tell us what you love and we'll craft a private itinerary from scratch.
How pricing works
What a Private Tour Costs
Private tours are priced per person on a sliding scale — the fixed cost of the boat, vehicle, and guide is shared across your group, so your per-head price falls as the group grows. That's why a private day can be better value than it sounds, especially for families and groups.
Bigger group, lower price
Two travelers pay the most per head; a family of six or a group of friends pays noticeably less each for the same private tour.
Clear, all-in quote
We confirm your exact per-person price in writing before you book, and quote hotel transfers separately by distance — no surprises at the gate.
Luxury by request
Prefer a premium boat, private chef, or high-end stay? Luxury and large-group arrangements are quoted individually on WhatsApp.
For starting prices on every tour, see the Zanzibar tour prices guide, or explore our multi-day packages.
Who books private
Private Tours Are Perfect For…
Couples & honeymooners
A sunset dhow or a sandbank to yourselves, without sharing the moment with a boatful of strangers. Romance needs room.
Families with children
Set the pace around nap times and attention spans, with a guide who keeps everyone safe and engaged — and the best per-person value.
Groups of friends
Your own boat, your own soundtrack, your own plan. Group size brings the per-head price right down for a fully private day.
Photographers & slow travelers
Chase the golden hour, wait for the tide, and stop where you like. A private guide gives you the time a group tour can't.
Simple & direct
How to Book a Private Tour
1. Tell us your plan
Message us your dates, group size, and the tours you're interested in — or just describe what you enjoy and we'll suggest a private itinerary.
2. Get your quote
We send a clear per-person price with transfers, exactly what's included, and your custom plan — all in writing before you commit.
3. Enjoy your day
We collect you from your hotel, guide the day with our own team at your pace, and get you back safely. Hakuna matata.
What travelers say
Verified 5-Star Reviews
Real guests on their private days out with Blue Green — the best measure of what to expect.
Good to know
Private Zanzibar Tours — FAQ
What is a private Zanzibar tour?
A private tour is an excursion run only for your own party — your family, friends, or just the two of you — with a dedicated local guide and no other travelers sharing your boat or vehicle. You can shape the itinerary, set the pace, and adjust the day as you go. Nearly all of Blue Green's tours are private by default.
Are private tours more expensive?
Per person, a private tour costs more than a large shared boat, but the gap narrows quickly with group size because pricing is per person on a sliding scale. A couple pays the most per head; a family or group of friends often pays a surprisingly low per-person rate for a fully private day. We confirm your exact price in writing before you book.
Which tours can be made private?
Almost all of them — Stone Town, the Spice Farm, Jozani Forest, Prison Island and Nakupenda, the Sunset Dhow Cruise, Mnemba and turtles, and more can be booked as private experiences. The main shared-boat exception is Safari Blue. You can also combine two tours into a custom private day or build a multi-day private plan.
Do private tours include hotel pickup?
Yes. We arrange hotel pickup and drop-off for your private tour, so your day runs door to door. Transfer cost depends on how far your hotel is from the tour's starting point and is quoted separately, so the total is clear before you travel.
Can you build a fully custom private itinerary?
Absolutely. Tell us your interests, dates, group size, and budget, and we'll design a private itinerary from scratch — a single tailored day, a combination of experiences, or a multi-day plan across the island and mainland safari. Custom private tours are quoted individually.
Are private tours good for honeymooners?
They're ideal. A private sunset dhow cruise or a sandbank to yourselves means you enjoy the moment without sharing it with a crowded group boat. We regularly arrange romantic private days for honeymooners and can combine experiences into a memorable couple's itinerary.
How far in advance should I book a private tour?
Booking ahead is best, especially in the busy December and July–August periods, to secure your preferred guide and dates. That said, we can often arrange private tours at short notice depending on availability. Message us on WhatsApp and we'll confirm quickly.
Is Blue Green a licensed operator?
Yes. Blue Green Zanzibar Tours is a locally-owned operator based on Mkunazini Street in Stone Town, running its own tours since 2014, with a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor and Google. You can read more about verifying a Zanzibar tour operator on our tour operators page.
Design Your Private Zanzibar Day
Tell us your dates, group size, and what you'd love to see — we'll send a private itinerary and a clear per-person quote, transfers included, with no obligation.
Request your private tour
Tell us what you're planning and we'll reply with a private itinerary and quote.