Changuu (Prison Island): The Tortoises and the Story Behind the Name
Short answer: Prison Island, also called Changuu, is a short boat ride from Stone Town. It is best known for its giant tortoises, and, despite the name, its prison never held prisoners.
The island lies a few kilometres off the Stone Town waterfront, so the crossing is short. People go for the tortoises and the beach, and stay for the history.
The name, explained
The island was bought in the 1890s and a prison complex was built there, planned for serious offenders. By most accounts it was never used as a prison. It later served as a quarantine station for the port, which is why you can still see the old buildings. Earlier, in the 1860s, the island had been used to hold enslaved people considered rebellious.
The tortoises
The giant tortoises are Aldabra tortoises. The first four came from the Seychelles in 1919, as a gift. Numbers have risen and fallen since, and today the animals live in a protected sanctuary. Some are decades old, and they move slowly, so you can watch them calmly from close by.
How to behave around them
- Feed only the greens the sanctuary provides, and only when staff say so.
- Never sit on a tortoise, and keep fingers away from the beak.
- Keep the young ones undisturbed. They are easy to miss and easy to hurt.
Making a day of it
The island also has a small beach, so bring swimwear and a towel. Read about our Prison Island tour, or combine it with the Stone Town visit or with a sandbank trip to Nakupenda. Ask us what is included in your booking, including any entry fees.
Ready to plan? Message Mosum Tours & Safaris on WhatsApp at +255 620 232 711 or use our contact form, and tell us your dates, group size and where you are staying.