The Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is the only national park in the Zanzibar archipelago. Spanning 50 km² in the southeast of Unguja Island, it combines the Jozani forest, mangroves, coral reefs and wetlands of Chwaka Bay. This is where the endemic Zanzibar red colobus lives, a primate observable along marked trails.

Why visit Jozani Chwaka Bay

Jozani offers a useful counterpoint to days spent on Zanzibar's beaches. The visit is short (typically less than an hour's walk), family-friendly, and allows you to observe endemic wildlife in its natural habitat: red colobus, galagos, blue monkeys. The park remains one of the few protected forest areas in the archipelago and was created to preserve the ecosystem and wildlife of Zanzibar.

History of the park

The Jozani forest was exploited for its timber in the 1930s. It was classified as a forest reserve in 1960, then recognized as a national park in 1984. In 2004, it was merged with Chwaka Bay to form the first national park in the Zanzibar archipelago. The site is today co-managed by nine neighboring villages, whose inhabitants participate in its management and visitor reception.

What to see and observe on site

The Zanzibar red colobus

The red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii) is the emblematic species of the park. Recognizable by its tricolored coat — white belly, reddish-brown back and a "jacket" of black with long sleeves — it belongs to a family of monkeys with prehensile hands: the opposing thumb forms a pincer that allows them to grasp branches and foliage. Its diet consists of leaves, seeds and unripe fruits.

Groups are accustomed to visitor passage, but remain wild animals. A few rules apply:

• Maintain an observation distance and do not seek contact.
• Do not use flash for photographs.
• Never feed them: the forest meets their needs and outside food can make them sick.

Mid-morning and late afternoon, when groups digest between meals, often provide the best observation conditions.

Forest and coastal biodiversity

Beyond the colobus, the park is home to over 168 bird species, about thirty of which are considered significant at the regional and global level. You will also encounter the dwarf galago (nicknamed "baby of the bush"), the blue monkey, the Ader's duiker and the tree hyrax. The bay's marine fauna includes reef fish and dolphins.

As for flora, the trail crosses a mahogany forest and leads to Mama Mtondoo, a tree over 200 years old. You will also observe a strangler fig entwined with a sycamore, as well as raphia fern, renowned for the large size of its leaves. Mangroves border the maritime part of the park, and approximately 100 butterfly varieties frequent the site, some the size of a hand.

Practical information

• Duration of visit: allow about 1 hour for the classic loop, more if you combine forest, mangroves and birdwatching.
• Entrance fee: paid entrance in US dollars, moderate. As rates are regularly adjusted, check the ticket office or your local guide for the current amount.
• Hours: open daily during the day. Arriving early morning or late afternoon facilitates wildlife observation.
• Guide: the visit must be accompanied. Guides are from partner villages and have deep knowledge of local biodiversity.
• What to bring: closed-toe shoes, water, insect repellent, light layered clothing for the mangroves.

When to visit Jozani

The park can be visited year-round, but the most comfortable period extends from June to February, outside the main rainy season (March-May). Trails are less muddy and wildlife observation is easier. In the morning, animal activity is generally more pronounced.

How to get there

The park is approximately 35 km from Stone Town, the historic center of Unguja Island. Several access options:

• Local bus (dala-dala) from Stone Town: economical option, journey of about one hour.
• Private taxi or car with driver: more flexible, recommended if you combine several visits in a day.
• Organized excursion: numerous options departing from Stone Town, Jambiani, Paje or Kiwengwa.

Nearby

Jozani integrates easily into a larger itinerary in Zanzibar and on the Tanzanian coast:

• Stone Town: historic center listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to combine with Jozani in a day.
• Kiwengwa-Pongwe Forest: another protected forest area in the northeast of the island.
• Amboni Caves: karstic network on the mainland, near Tanga.
• Boma Natural History Museum: to continue discovering Tanzanian wildlife.

Frequently asked questions

Include Jozani in your trip

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park integrates naturally into a stay combining Zanzibar and Tanzania's continental parks. To build a tailor-made itinerary including this stop, consult our suggestions for travel in Tanzania.