Prison Island, between land and sea

After dinner, we make a small tour of the fort and also of the Forodhani park. Alone, time to digest and wait for the departure time to Prison Island.

You probably wonder what we are going to see on Prison Island? Land turtles!

So unlikely, but then you may ask, why is this island named like that? Yet, it is also known as Changuu Island. It was uninhabited until 1860, when it was given to slave traders to “store” their slaves there before they were transferred to the Stone Town market or sent to the Middle East. Thereafter, it was destined to become the prison of the Omani Sultan. This sultan wished to make it a prison for traitors and invaders, the construction of this prison was abandoned because the omane empire fell. Eventually, it became a quarantine hospital to prevent the spread of yellow fever carriers in 1923…

Yet 2 turtles survived from this period, 2 small land turtles from the Seychelles, imported by the Sultan, out of the 4 offered by the British governor of the Seychelles.

We waited impatiently for the arrival of our guide in order to take the boat to the island.less than half an hour to arrive on a sandbank on which we had to jump, realizing at the last second that we were wearing our walking shoes and that we had to take them off as quickly.the structure of the island is fascinating, a perfect balance between wood and rock, sand and greenery.

We climb stairs to get to the reception to get our entrance ticket, a little less than 5 dollars. It is under the supervision of peacocks that we listen to our guide telling us how this island will become, with time, a refuge for giant turtles.

We enter a forest of huge trees with roots that intermingle, with a marked path that we must follow. In front of us we see turtles, gigantic, that looked like huge rocks.the oldest turtles are 192 years old and 150 years old.their population had climbed to 200 individuals before a business started in the 50’s as a pet or as a food.before protection measures were taken, the population had decreased by half.today, thanks to this protection, the number exceeds one hundred.

Aldabra turtles are the 2nd largest species of land turtle, reaching up to 250kg and a maximum of 1.22m. The first one being the Galapagos one.

I could never have imagined getting close to turtles, let alone imagine the amazement that I would have in front of these dinosaurs and their gigantic size!

Turtles are not the only animals on the island. Among them, there are very colorful peacocks but also huge butterflies and bats.

We make a tour of this place, discover the architecture, the balconies, the rooms, the hospital.

We settle down for a few minutes at one of the balconies with a magnificent view of the sea, taking a few moments to realize what we have just experienced… That a part of magic will remain engraved in us forever.

This paradise island is surrounded by white sand beaches and clear turquoise water. Another small corner of paradise discovered by chance.

We took advantage of the sunset on this island before getting back on the boat. At nightfall, we arrived at the night market, a market where you can taste typical dishes such as zanzibari pizza or grilled meats. These cooks are all wearing rooster chef hats.