Jozani forest in Zanzibar

Jozani Forest - Chwaka Bay Park

Zanzibar's first and only National Park is centred on Jozani Forest, the largest area of mature forest found within Zanzibar, the forest lies in a shallow trough in the fossil coral bed between the mangrove filled bays of Chwaka and Uzi. Seasonal flooding, and a high water table, has given rise to a unique groundwater forest. On the high ground to either side is dry coral rag forest and thicket.

With mangrove forests and saltmarshes to the north of the National park, the area is an extremely rich mosaic of Zanzibar's diverse natural habitats, a Haven for much wildlife, including rare, endemic and endangered species.

Conservation Activities

The main purpose of the National Park is conserving the forest and its surrounding environment. This is achieved, in partnership with local communities in many different forms, from educational activities through to practical tasks such as mangrove replanting.

Originally funded through international donors, these activities are now paid for through the revenue generated by admission to the National Park.

The Mangrove Boardwalk

About a kilometre south of the National Park centre, the mangrove boardwalk begins under the shade of an old tamarind tree. Here you can walk amongst the forest in the sea. The brackish water that flows through the mangrove is a nursery ground for hundreds of species of tropical fish, which can be seen feeding in the shallow waters, whilst crabs and other molluscs can be observed feasting in the nutrient rich mud.

A butterfly in the forest - photo © Heinz Heile

The Zanzibar Red Colobus

Perhaps one of the most famous and endearing residents of the Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is the Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey.

Found only on the main island of Zanzibar, the Zanzibar Red Colobus is recognised as a separate species (Piliocolobus kirkii) and is said to be endemic to Zanzibar.

A visit to Zanzibar is not compete without seeing one of the rarest monkeys in Africa, with less than 2000 remaining in the world.

Nature Trail

Why not let one of our specialised guides give you a tour of this unique wooded paradise. Here you can stroll at your leisure to visit the Mama Mtondoo (the Mother Mahogany), thought to be over 200 years old, or see the two trees in one - the strangler fig and its partner the sycamore fig, or view the raffia fern which boasts the largest leaf in the world!

Keep an eye open for some of the 100 species of butterfly that inhabit the forest - some are as big as your hand, Or watch out for the small, but brightly coloured sunbirds that feed on the nectar from the many, beautiful tropical flowers that can be found.

Listen for the eerie booming and cackles of Syke's monkeys and the Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey, or perhaps you will be lucky enough to spot the the near extinct Zanzibar leopard, or the elusive Ader's duiker (Cephalophus adersi), only a relict population survives on Zanzibar (Unguja) Island and this small population continues to dwindle as a result of habitat destruction and uncontrolled hunting despite being protected by Zanzibar law.