Jozani Forest Walking Tour
The Jozani Forest Tour in Zanzibar will take you to the Jozani natural forest (it is the only natural forest in Zanzibar Island). The forest is located in the central east region of the Zanzibar Island. Just about a 20min drive from Stone Town. It is a narrow neck of land between the Chwaka Bay in the north and Uzi Bay to the south. It contains about 100 tree species from a total of 43 families.
The forest has over 2,512ha that includes the whole ground water forest, coral rag forest & salt marsh area.
Jozani Forest is best known for its red colobus monkeys, which are endemic to Zanzibar. About 20 years ago, the monkeys were considered to be in danger of extinction. This trend has since reversed due to the conservation project. There are about 6000 red colobus monkeys residing in Jozani Forest.
After visiting the red colobus, you will walk across to the Pete-Jozani Mangrove Boardwalk. It entwines through coral thicket vegetation, mangrove forest and across a creek. You walk through mangrove forest which is extremely crucial to Zanzibar’s ecosystems, providing a habitat for many lizards, snakes and birdlife as well as preventing the coastal erosion.
Visit the Rare Red Colobus Monkey
The forest is the home of the rare Red Colobus Monkey, which is only endemic to this forest. This part of your holiday mainly focuses on a visit to the naturally reserved forest on this specially dedicated excursion.
See the Mangrove Swamp and Other Wildlife
The forest also accommodates a large mangrove swamp and a tract of natural forest that is home to a few unique species including the Sykes monkey, bush babies, Ader's duiker, over 50 species of butterfly and 40 species of birds.
Other species that you might catch a glimpse of include Blue Sykes’ Monkeys, Bush Pigs, Aders Duiker Antelopes, Elephant Shrews, Chameleons and numerous birds and butterflies. The best time to see the wildlife of Jozani is early in the morning and it is open daily from 07:30am to 5:00 pm.
Visitors are advised to keep three metres between themselves and any wildlife and asked not to visit the forest if suffering any cold or flu like symptoms. The monkeys, though susceptible to human diseases, have practically no resistance to them.
Jozani has an excellent nature trail and the guides are well trained and informative. A walk through this impressive flora and fauna is one of the highlights Zanzibar has to offer.