Super Zanzi (3-IN-1): Prison, Vanishing Island & Stone Town - Zanzibar

The worst day I've ever had in my year long experience of travelling around the world. First, I was notified that I would get picked up at 9:50am the day before. At 8:56am the morning of, I got a notification on whatsapp telling me I needed to be ready for pickup at my hostel. Since I was having coffee and breakfast in town I rushed back to my hostel without finishing my coffee. And I waited there until 10:17am, where I was told to go outside and look for my driver. My driver drove me around and dropped me less than 3 min away from my hostel. Had I been told beforehand, I would have just walked there. We then waited there (apparently for 2 more people) until 11:45am and only got on the water at around 12:00. WHEN IT SAYS ON THE WEBSITE, THE ACTIVITY STARTS AT 7:30am. We first stopped at Prison Island, where we got to see the turtoises who live in overcrowded enclosures. Everyone was petting them on the face, the kids were climbing on them and the so-called guides were encouraging us to do so. There were signs at the entrance saying "no feeding and petting the animals allowed". We then left for Nakupenda island at around 2:45pm, everyone was starving on the boat. We were dropped there with absolutely no instruction. I went to ask the people who were installing some sort or tent. They told me "food will be ready in an hour". So I asked if we could go snorkelling now as promised on the website but they said they forgot the snorkelling equipment. So we had lunch at around 4pm. I had texted and written on the website in advance that I was vegetarian to make sure I could eat the food included in the price. I was told there was no problem. To my surprise, there was nothing prepared for vegetarians (and I wasn't the only one) but french fries. So I had a lunch of just french fries and a few fruits for desert. Right before leaving, the island was starting to disappear underwater, it was getting really windy and cold. I was told the snorkelling equipment was finally here and maybe I could go now but to be quick and do it in front of the boats. I refused. We then got back to Stone Town where we were supposed to get a walking tour to some nice historic and interesting areas regarding the complicated history of the Island. Instead, we got dropped in a tourist shops area. Lost a some members of the group a few times, then walked back to our hostels. I would say the experience I had on this day was not even worth 10 cents. I immediately asked for a refund and graciously got 10 USD of the 55 USD I paid back. This is theft and the company isn't done hearing from me.

Terrible is a polite word to describe-no over exaggeration- the WORST experience I had with so much stress and unprofessionalism from that supplier. 1st of all, this company isn't in Tanzania -that is the key for their no care- and the Whatsapp messages prove they are in Egypt and also their official website state the same, these Egyptian basterds are staying in some village in Egypt and has nothing to do with Zanzibar and they run things with low profile unauthorized individuals on ground . Let me explain what happen to me so others can be aware .. I was never informed before buying the trip that I have to accept a 24 note from the supplier about the time and location of the meeting. Then, 24 hours before the trip they texted me from an egyptian number on whatsapp to wait till night 22:00 local time—less than 8 hours before the tour start— to inform me where and when. I had no confirmed details regarding the meeting time or location till 22:00 the night before the trip. This delay caused significant issues for me in arranging hotel check-out and transportation on the island. It’s particularly troubling that the supplier was uncooperative, possibly due to my decision not to book transportation through them. I was left uncertain and unable to make alternative plans. As I mentioned, it was 22:00 and it was impossible to plan anything at this time especially not knowing where and when I should be travelling from my side of the Island to an unknown location at an unknown time !!  Given that cancellation is not allowed within 24 hours, I felt cornered and unsupported—something I did not expect to be at the mercy of poor supplier communication. However, It didn't end here .. I finally received a message after many follow up messages from my side which are all replied with the same message from the Class Travel size to "wait .. we will inform you when and where" .. received a generic location and 9:30am as time !! I could finally make it to the meeting point after arranging a transportation who charged me more for short note .. reached the meeting point and waited for 3 hours and tour guide never appeared!! Class Travel didn't help, and I had to wait with a disappointed family till a guide appeared claiming he will be our guide to 1st Island before he will hand us to someone else for next stop !!I Realized while waiting that my private tour is actually shared and that the others had similar problems with lack of info and last minute updates . What made it worse is the guided tour quality ! The boat and food and timing .. to a guide taking us in his friends shops in Stone Town and he latterly stand in front of church which he don't know it's name or who is the statue in front of it .. all what he kept saying is that they used to put slaves here .. they cut slaves head here .. they sold slaves there .. a man with History knowledge like me definitely didn't appreciate all his lies and stopped him and ended our suffer .... it was waste of money and time .. stressful . May God punishment teach them a lesson

Great experience overall, unfortunately the weather was very rainy. Otherwise everything was good the guide was perfect and the food was delicious.