JOZANI FOREST
The Jozani Forest is located in the centre of the Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, 38 km south-east of Stone Town. The forest is a great place to encounter many indigenous varieties of flora and fauna, including the Zanzibari Red Colobus Monkey; unique to Unguja this species of wild monkey live on despite the best efforts of the former British rulers to bring it to extinction.
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 when nature is at its most lively and man-kind at his least.
Visitors are advised to keep three meters 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.
The Jozani National Park opens 0730 - 1700 daily, and entry costs USD 8. This includes the services of a guide. The guide will, quite fairly, expect an additional tip as most of your USD 8 goes towards the conservation project. However, if your guide attempts to charge you for each aspect of his service, refuse. This is unreasonable, though sadly common, practice.
One kilometre to the West of the Jozani Park entrance is the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre. This enclosed tropical garden teaming with around a dozen species of butterfly is open daily 0900 - 1700 and costs USD 5 to get in.
5.5 km south of the park is Zala Park, another interesting nature reserve, this time for reptiles. Also USD 5 to get in this park is open 0830 - 1730.
This area of National Park offers a great way of seeing a very different side of Zanzibar. Rather than just white sand, blue sea, and crumbling palaces, Zanzibar is also very green.
Arranging your Trip to Jozani Forest
Many hotels and most tour operators offer excursions to the Jozani Forest, neighbouring Butterfly Centre and Zala Park (see Excursions page for tour operator details). Jozani is a particularly common point to stop off at when returning from a Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour.
If you decide to travel there independently, Daladalas number 3240, 309 and 310 all pass the gates throughout the day, all leaving from the Darajani terminal in Stone Town. It is best to be waiting for your return transport on the main road by 1700. Car hire is the other option for a day out to Jozani as taxis will prove very costly and impractical. See Getting Around for further information.
