在坦桑尼亚桑给巴尔(Zanzibar)及其周边散落的众多岛屿中,没有任何一个像监狱岛(Prison Island)这样,拥有如此充满反差魅力的名字与现实。它的正式名称是昌古岛(Changuu Island),距离繁华的石头城仅几公里之遥。
虽然名字听起来令人望而生畏,但这里早已不是关押犯人的场所,而是一个拥有绿松石般海水、白色沙滩以及一群珍稀“长寿居民”的度假天堂。无论你是为了探寻历史,还是为了在那张著名的 Instagram 照片中与百岁巨龟合影,这份详尽的攻略都将为你提供所需的一切信息。
监狱岛最引人注目的明星无疑是阿尔达布拉象龟(Aldabra Giant Tortoises)。这并非桑给巴尔的原生物种,而是 1919 年由塞舌尔(Seychelles)总督赠送给桑给巴尔的礼物——最初只有 4 只。如今,这里已经繁衍成为一个庞大的保护区。
这些温和的巨兽体重可达 200 公斤以上,许多个体的背甲上用蓝色油漆标记着它们的年龄。你会惊讶地发现,其中最年长的居民可能已经超过 196 岁,是世界上最长寿的生物之一。在这里,你可以体验仿佛穿越回史前时代的奇妙感。
岛上的历史遗迹充满了讽刺意味。1893 年,也就是桑给巴尔成为英国保护国之后,当时的总理劳埃德·马修斯(Lloyd Mathews)买下了这座岛并修建了监狱建筑群。然而,这座“监狱”从未真正关押过任何罪犯。
实际上,这里主要作为黄热病隔离站(Quarantine Station)使用了半个多世纪,保护了桑给巴尔主岛免受流行病的侵袭。而在更早的 1860 年代,这里曾被阿拉伯奴隶贩子用作关押反叛奴隶的中转站。漫步在古老的石墙建筑中,你依然能感受到历史的厚重感与沧桑变迁。
除了巨龟,监狱岛还是一个充满生机的小型生态系统。当你穿过森林步道时,经常会偶遇色彩斑斓的孔雀在废墟间漫步,或者是羞涩可爱的迪克迪克小羚羊(Dik-diks)在灌木丛中探头探脑。岛屿周围环绕着典型的东非果冻色海水,是从石头城喧嚣中逃离、享受片刻宁静的绝佳去处。
上岛后,门票通常包含一份新鲜的菠菜或菜叶。你可以亲手喂食这些庞然大物。它们的脖子虽然布满皱纹,但吃东西时的样子却意外地治愈。
岛上的旧建筑虽然部分已经改建为餐厅或旅馆设施,但核心的监狱/医院遗迹依然向公众开放。这些珊瑚石砌成的建筑在海风侵蚀下显露出独特的纹理,是拍摄人文风格照片的绝佳背景。在这里,你可以阅读关于这一地区公共卫生历史的展板,了解它如何从隔离岛转变为旅游胜地。
虽然监狱岛的沙滩较小(且受潮汐影响大),但岛屿周围有一片不错的浅水珊瑚礁。由于水质清澈,能见度通常很高。你可以在这里看到色彩鲜艳的热带鱼和海星。不过需要注意,这里的海流有时会比较急,对于游泳新手来说,建议穿戴救生衣或紧跟船只。
监狱岛距离石头城仅 5.6 公里,船程约 20-30 分钟。所有的船只都从石头城海滨(通常在 Forodhani Gardens 附近或主要港口)出发。
费用通常分为两部分:船费和上岛费。
大多数游客会选择将监狱岛与Nakupenda Sandbank结合成一日游。Nakupenda 在斯瓦希里语中意为“我爱你”,是一个退潮时才会露出的洁白沙洲。
监狱岛不仅仅是一个打卡点,它是一扇窥探桑给巴尔复杂历史与独特生态的窗口。当你凝视着那只比你祖父母还要年长的巨龟的眼睛时,你会发现,这段短途旅行绝对物超所值。
Thabiso Senona Great place to visit and learn some of the history in Zanzibar, place is also known as Prison Island. 15 to 25 min boat ride to get there. There is a restaurant for those who want to grab something as well as a bar, even though both are on the pricey side (best bring your refreshments).
Desmond Lobo Changu Island, also known as Prison Island is a good tourist attraction. Known primarily for its gigantic land tortoises, it also has a old Prison now converted to a restaurant & museum as also aold quarantine hospital. At one time it was a place for holding slaves before being transferred elsewhere.
Charlotte Chedeville We visited the island without much expectation — and indeed there was not much to expect. Absolutely a tourist trap— very little if nothing to see (most of the island is closed to tourists), the place is falling apart, turtles don’t even have greenery to nibble on and they’re wandering around in sad, dirty ponds. I’ve gone to the same island where they brought the turtles from in the Seychelles. Over there there’s lush greens, abundant vegetation and it’s a natural reserve; here you wonder what they do with the entrance fees. We went while the tide was high, so didn’t see much of the beach- which does look amazing on a clear day. Do not recommend unless you have extra time & money.
Lucik L If you are in Zanzibar you have to visit this place . The turtles are so cute and you can feed and pet them too 🐢🤩 plus sooo many starfishes 🤩
Ieva Smite Small island - big tortoises. It’s worth to go there and peacefully watch them. What I found bit strange and definitely not acceptable for everyone - boats which are used to get to the island were not equipped with life vests. Ride was about 6,5 km long and waives were quite remarkable.