Exploring Jozani Forest in Zanzibar Island

Jozani Forest is a natural reserve in the heart of Zanzibar Island.
It is known for its mangrove trees and birds, and the most famous endemic Red Colobus Monkey.

So, if you visit Zanzibar and you’re a nature lover, this excursion is perfect for you.
Walking through the forest and observing rare wildlife is considered one of the top three-rated tours on Zanzibar Island.

Zanzibar, a path through Jozani Forest

How to get to the Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest or Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is located between Chwaka Bay and Uzi Bay, about 35 km southeast of Zanzibar City. It’s a tropical rainforest and the island’s largest remaining natural habitat.

The forest is easy to reach following the Paje Road, and it takes about 40 minutes to an hour ride from Zanzibar City.
If you come with a travel agency, usually the agency organises an excursion for you as a half-day trip. During our visit to Zanzibar in June 2018, we travelled with the Globetracker agency, which organised this tour for us.

Otherwise, you can reach the park by car, taxi, or dala-dala (a local minibus). Also, “The Jozani Forest” has vehicles for organising transport at additional prices.

By the way, if you are on safari in Tanzania and then go to enjoy beautiful Zanzibar beaches, you can also book a visit to the Jozani Forest with local safari tour companies.

A few words about the Jozani Forest

First, the Jozani Forest was established in 1960 as a Forest Reserve, and later it became a National Park in 1984. Then, the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park Conservation Area was established in 1995. It covers an area of about 50 square km.

The forest got its name after the small pond in the forest. During the rainy season (March to the end of May), it is mostly flooded. This unique ecosystem includes mangrove trees, tropical forests, coral reefs, and wetlands. Along the park, there are several small villages and agricultural zones.

The Jozani Forest has a huge role in protecting wildlife and biodiversity. Its dense vegetation helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. The mangroves are highly efficient at storing carbon, and they prevent soil erosion. 

On the other side, the locals depend on the forest. They need medicinal plants, building poles, firewood and charcoal for building and cooking because the price of electricity is very high. For locals, some parts of the forest are considered sacred, and they are used for traditional rituals and ceremonies. Also, it is believed the spirits live in the forest…

In a word, the forest ecosystem has an important impact on the entire region.

Jozani Forest

Conservation efforts and community

Numerous conservation projects were made to protect its ecological and cultural value by the local and international organisations.

The local community has a crucial role in these efforts through eco-tourism initiatives and educational programs. When visiting Jozani Forest, everybody contributes to efforts to save this unique ecosystem.

Walking around the Jozani Forest

Best time for visit and Tickets 

You can visit Jozani Forest all year round, but the best time is during the dry season, from June to October.
Tours can last from 1 hour (short tour) to 7 hours (long tour).

♦ Short Tour lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour.
The ticket price is 12 USD for foreign tourists (adults and children).
Residents pay reduced fees, from 2 to 5 USD.

◊ Middle Tour lasts approximately 2-3 hours.
It is a VIP tour, perfect for smaller groups, maximum of 8 people.
The ticket price is 35 USD per person; for children (12-17 years) it costs 25 USD, and for children 3-11 years, it costs 15 USD.

♦ The Jozani Long tour lasts around 7 hours, and it requires a good physical condition.
This is a long walking tour about 14-15 km, deep into the heart of Jozani Forest. There is the possibility to see various birds, monkeys, and other residents of the forest.
The tour costs 120 USD per person.

Zanzibar, a path in the Jozani Forest

What you can see in the Jozani Forest

Visiting the Jozani Forest is possible only through guided tours.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by guides who will lead you through the forest. They have a lot of knowledge about the flora, fauna, and Zanzibar’s specific ecosystem. Follow your guide and instructions carefully.
The air can be humid and heavy, but walking through the dense forest following the sounds of birds and monkeys is a fantastic adventure.

Walking through the forest, a local guide showed us various medicinal plants.
They are used for healing different health problems, from coughs to skin conditions. Almost every plant or tree has been used for years as a cure by the locals and healing doctors.

Various plants in the Jozani Forest

🐵🐒 Monkeys’ business in the Jozani Forest

Definetely, the highlights of the tour are the Red Colobus Monkeys and Sykes Monkeys.

The Red Colobus Monkey 

The Red Colobus Monkey is an endemic species. They are also known as the “Kirk’s red colobus monkey” after Sir John Kirk, the British Resident of Zanzibar (a companion to famous explorer David Livingstone), who first mentioned them in zoological science.

Today, about 3,000 individuals are remaining.

Red Colobus Monkey

These species of monkeys have bright red fur, black faces, and long white hair tufts. They eat leaves, fruits, seeds and flowers. Usually, they are in groups with 20 to 30 members.

It was interesting to watch them play and jump from tree to tree. Some monkeys were posing, and some were hiding among the trees.

Red Colobus Monkey, Jozani Forest

By the way, don’t point the camera directly at them because they can become aggressive. Also, they can be very protective of their babies.

Red Colobus Monkey, Jozani Forest

Even though they are very curious and often come close to people, be careful. They are wild, so don’t look them in the eyes, and don’t make sudden movements.

By the way, locals call the red colobus “kima punju.” In Swahili, this means “poison monkey” because of its distinct, pungent smell.

And of course, be cautious because they can steal your glasses, bag, or camera 🙂

Sykes Monkeys

Another rare species in the Jozani Forest is the Sykes Monkey, also known as the Blue Monkey.

Jozani Forest, Sykes’ Monkey

They are much shyer than their Colobus monkeys.
But it didn’t stop one of them from coming close to check what was in the bag of our friend 🙂

Sykes Monkey in the Jozani Forest

Animals of the Jozani Forest

Besides monkeys, various animals live in the lush forest.

♦ There are over 40 species of birds, such as kingfishers, hornbills, the colourful Fischer’s Turaco, and the Pemba Scops Owl.
◊ Wild pigs, Tree hyraxes, as well as Duikers and Sunni, two small antelope species, which live only in Zanzibar.
♦ Bush babies (Galago) and African civets are nocturnal primates.
◊ A small Zanzibar leopard is considered extinct due to overhunting and persecution by local hunters. The last confirmed sighting of a living leopard was in the early 1980s. Allegedly, it was recorded in 2018 by a camera trap, but some experts remain sceptical.
♦ Also, there are freshwater crabs, chameleons, various reptiles, frogs, and over 50 species of butterflies.

Hmm, we had a little bit strange feeling during our walk in the dense forest.
But I have to say that we saw only the red Colobus and Sykes monkeys. Maybe animals saw us, who knows…

Mangrove Forest

The Mangrove Forest is a specific ecosystem that looks more like a swamp. Freshwater mixes with seawater there, creating the perfect conditions for specialised vegetation to thrive.

I have to admit that I didn’t know how mangroves are important for our planet.

♦ Mangroves are the only species of trees in the world that can tolerate saltwater. You can find them on the shores of oceans and seas in tropical areas.
◊ Do you know that mangroves could absorb 10 times more carbon than terrestrial forests?  They have a huge impact on climate change.
♦ Mangroves protect the coastline from erosion and rising sea levels.
◊ They are home to various species of fish, birds, crustaceans, insects, and reptiles.
♦ Mangroves can live for up to 100 years!

Mangrove Boardwalk

Another highlight of the forest is the Mangrove Boardwalk, a winding wooden path that leads you through a dense mangrove area.

Mangrove boardwalk, Jozani Forest

It looks like a small wooden suspended bridge above the twisted, exposed roots of the mangrove trees.

Mangrove boardwalk in the Jozani Forest

 

These roots appear almost surreal, and in some places, even scary.

Thanks to their unique, intertwined root systems that grow above the ground, mangroves can survive in salty coastal waters. They play a crucial role in supporting marine biodiversity.

Mangrove roots in the Jozani Forest

 

Tips for visiting Jozani Forest 

♦ Wear light clothes, a hat or a cap, and comfortable walking shoes.
The forest paths are often uneven, and there are a lot of ants and insects around them. Some paths can be muddy and covered with water depending on weather conditions.
◊ Bring insect repellent because of mosquitoes.
♦ Carry water and snacks if you go on a longer tour.
◊ The best time for a visit is early in the morning or afternoon.
♦ Follow the instructions of local guides.
◊ Respect the animals, and don’t feed or touch the monkeys.
♦ Bring a camera or mobile phone to capture views of an incredible forest and monkeys.

What to see close to the Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest is a sanctuary for unique wildlife. The mangroves, medicinal plants and various trees give us a glimpse of the unspoiled nature of Zanzibar Island.

♦ Usually, the excursion to the Jozani Forest is combined with beaches, such as Paje Beach, Jambiani Beach, Kae Funk Beach, and Kizimkazi Beach.

🏖️ Read more about beautiful Zanzibar beaches here 👇

◊ Try delicious food at the famous Restaurant Rock, situated on the rock in the ocean. Bear in mind that the prices are a little bit higher compared to other restaurants on the island.

♦ Visit a local spice farm and explore the world of aromatic spices.
🥥 Read more about spices and spice tour here 👇

In a word, enjoy stunning sandy Zanzibar beaches, turquoise clear sea and unique nature 🙂