Jozani Forest
Duration
Jozani Forest National Park (approx. 3½h)
Departure times are flexible
Rainforest Wonders
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is the only National Park in Zanzibar. It is situated between Chwaka and Uzi, approximately 40 minutes away from Michamvi Sunset Bay by taxi. There is an entry fee, 80% of which is used to support the conservation of the rainforest and it’s surrounding environment.
This is an environmentally conscious area, and there are several local community projects that promote sustainable conservation. One of these projects, the butterfly centre, is a magnificent item to add to your itinerary, and is about 1km away from the park entrance.
Highlights of the Excursion
The excursion is divided into 3 sections: the nature trail, the mangrove board walk, and the sighting of the Zanzibarian Red Colobus Monkey. The nature trail is a 7km loop through the last remaining patch of rainforest in Zanzibar. Visitors have the opportunity to marvel at the enormous trees in the park, especially the dragon trees and raffia fern. There is also a mahogany tree, affectionately called Mama Mtondo, that is said to be over 200 years old!
The mangrove boardwalk starts about 1km south of the park entrance, in the shade of an old tamarind tree. The brackish water here is a breeding ground for all sorts of tropical fish, crabs, molluscs, reptiles, and amphibians.
The Red Colobus is endemic to Zanzibar, and around 1200 individuals from this species call the forest home. As they can’t digest sugar, they feed mainly on seeds, leaves, flowers, and unripe fruit.
For this nature-forward trip, we recommend bringing good shoes, mosquito spray, and most importantly, your camera!