Prison Island
Zanzibar Region
Prison Island, locally known as Changuu, is a small island situated about 5.6 km northwest of Stone Town, Zanzibar. Originally uninhabited, it was used in the 1860s as a prison for rebellious slaves before their sale or transport. Purchased by British official Lloyd Mathews in 1893, the island was intended to be a prison for violent criminals from mainland Africa, but it never housed prisoners. Instead, it served as a quarantine station for yellow fever, protecting Stone Town from epidemics. The island became a favored leisure spot when not used for quarantine, featuring swimming pools created from old coral mining pits and a European-style bungalow for visitors. Prison Island is renowned for its Aldabra giant tortoises, introduced as a gift from the Seychelles governor in 1919. Despite threats from poaching, conservation efforts have helped stabilize their population. Today, the island functions as a government-owned tourist resort where visitors can observe and feed these endangered tortoises while exploring the island’s unique blend of history and natural beauty.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Prison Island is during Zanzibar's dry season from June to October when the weather is pleasant and sea conditions are calm. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets for boat transfers from Stone Town in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Bringing water and sun protection is recommended, as freshwater on the island is limited. Feeding the giant tortoises is a popular activity, but visitors should follow guidelines provided by the caretakers to ensure the animals' welfare. Guided tours are available to learn about the island's history and conservation efforts.
Faits intéressants
- •Prison Island was never actually used as a prison despite its name and prison buildings.
- •The island’s coral mining pits were repurposed into swimming pools for visitors during the colonial era.
- •The Aldabra giant tortoises on the island are descendants of a gift from the British governor of Seychelles in 1919.
- •Tortoise numbers dropped to as low as seven in 1996 due to poaching but have since recovered through conservation efforts.
- •The island served as a quarantine station primarily for yellow fever cases arriving by ship to East Africa.
Histoire
Changuu Island was originally uninhabited until the 1860s when it was used as a prison for rebellious slaves by the Sultan of Zanzibar.
In 1893, British First Minister Lloyd Mathews purchased the island intending to build a prison, which was completed in 1894 but never used to house inmates.
Instead, the island was converted into a quarantine station for yellow fever, officially renamed Quarantine Island in 1923.
The quarantine facilities were expanded in 1931 to accommodate up to 904 people.
In 1919, Aldabra giant tortoises were introduced to the island, becoming a significant conservation focus after their numbers dwindled due to poaching in the late 20th century.
Guide du lieu
Prison Complex1894
Constructed in 1894 by British authorities, this complex was intended to house violent criminals but was never used as a prison. The buildings were later converted into quarantine hospital facilities.
European BungalowLate 1890s
Built in the late 1890s to accommodate visitors during the island’s off-quarantine seasons, this bungalow served as a leisure retreat for Europeans and locals.
Coral Mining Pits (Swimming Pools)Pre-1890s (mining)
Large pits left from coral rag mining were cleaned and converted into swimming pools, providing a unique recreational feature for visitors during the colonial period.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise Sanctuary1919 (introduction)
Home to a population of endangered Aldabra giant tortoises introduced in 1919, the sanctuary focuses on conservation, breeding, and visitor education about this vulnerable species.