Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, situated in Zanzibar, is a distinctive and biodiverse location that enables visitors to observe one of Africa’s rarest primates, the red colobus monkey. This comprehensive travel guide will provide essential information for visiting Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park in 2025/2026, ensuring a memorable trip with its intriguing animals and remarkable natural beauty.
The primary attraction for international travelers visiting Zanzibar is the island’s exquisite beaches, complemented by abundant diving and snorkeling options on the surrounding reefs and the distinctive charm of Stone Town. The inside is often overlooked, resulting in many guests perceiving it only through fleeting glimpses from a car window while en route from the airport to their chosen beach resort.
The primary attraction of the overlooked interior for natural history aficionados is Jozani Forest, now incorporated into Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, which hosts the island’s most significant population of endemic Kirk’s red colobus monkeys, alongside a variety of avian species and other captivating forest fauna.
Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar‘s sole national park, safeguards diverse woodland ecosystems, notably the island’s greatest remaining expanse of mature indigenous forest and the extensive mangroves along the southern extremity of Chwaka Bay. The park spans approximately 100 kilometers across the short, low-lying isthmus linking the island’s northwestern and southeastern halves. In the rainy season, the region is susceptible to flooding, resulting in its characteristic ‘swamp-forest’ ecosystem, where moisture-loving plants, palm and fern stands, elevated water table, and humid air create a cool, ‘tropical’ atmosphere.
Fact About Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
For centuries, locals harvested timber and other forest resources, but commercial exploitation commenced in the 1930s when an Arab landowner acquired the forest and established a sawmill. The colonial authority appropriated the forest in the late 1940s, resulting in limited replanting efforts. When Jozani was established as a forest reserve in 1952, the majority of the island’s species found in comparable environments were eradicated to facilitate agricultural development. The forest was established as a natural reserve in the 1960s; nevertheless, the trees and wildlife were inadequately safeguarded. Residents harvested timber for construction and fuel, while specific animals were hunted for sustenance or due to their detrimental impact on nearby crops.
Jozani Forest has preserved much of its original natural integrity, and the exploitation of its natural resources has essentially ceased since 2004, when it was combined with Chwaka Bay to the north and proclaimed as Zanzibar’s inaugural (and to date, sole) national park. Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, established through a partnership between the Zanzibar government’s Commission for Natural Resources and the charity CARE International, and financed by multiple entities, including the Austrian government, the Ford Foundation, and the Global Environment Facility, now possesses explicit objectives for safeguarding natural resources and enhancing the welfare of local communities and wildlife in the region. It serves as a favored day trip destination from Stone Town and the eastern coastal resorts, with tourism earnings playing a crucial role in its conservation.
Jozani boasts a robust avian population, with more than 100 species recorded, but most woodland birds are elusive and challenging to detect. Species present in this area include the Kenya crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani), emerald-spotted wood dove (Turtur chalcospilos), little greenbul (Andropadus chalcospilos), sombre greenbul (Andropadus importunus), cardinal woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens), red-capped robin-chat (Cossypha natalensis), dark-backed weaver (Ploceus bicolor), golden weaver (Ploceus xanthops), olive sunbird (Nectarinia olivacea), and crowned hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus).
Jozani is also home to a colony of Zanzibar Sykes’ monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis albogularis), a subspecies endemic to the archipelago, which is likely to be observed during a guided walk. Ader’s duiker (Cephalophus adersi), a small antelope species endemic to Zanzibar and certain regions of the Kenyan coast, and the diminutive suni antelope (Neotragus moschatus moschatus) inhabit the bush. Both are exceedingly reticent and improbable to be observed. Ader’s duiker is now practically extinct in Kenya, and the IUCN categorizes species as fragile, with its greatest prospects for survival on Zanzibar Island.
How to get to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is Located north of Pete Village, the entrance to Jozani Forest is situated along the primary route from Zanzibar Town to the southern segment of the east coast. The area is clearly delineated, and the entrance fee encompasses access to the mangrove boardwalk and the services of a guide.
Jozani is often featured in east-coast and dolphin excursions provided by various tour operators; however, alternative easy methods of access include dalla-dalla (Nos. 309, 310, 324, or 326), rental bicycles, automobiles, or public buses (Routes 9 and 10). Alternatively, board a tourist minibus heading to the east coast and disembark at this location. Upon leaving the jungle, one can hail a vehicle to proceed to the shore or return to Zanzibar Town, as this route is commonly used by tourist minibuses and other traffic during the day. It is recommended to wait by the roadside by 17:00, when the frequency of buses diminishes.
Although Chwaka Bay possesses the largest expanse of mangrove forest in Zanzibar, it has experienced limited tourism development. Nevertheless, anyone exhibiting a sense of audacity may opt to traverse the bay by boat, situated between the southeastern coastline and the village of Chwaka.
Red colobus monkeys in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Observing the red colobus monkeys constitutes a principal allure of Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. These primates are endemic to Zanzibar; they possess black cheeks, elongated white hair tufts, and vibrant red fur. Their joyful temperament and outstanding acrobatic talents make them entertaining to observe.
The park hosts many groups of red colobus monkeys, each consisting of 20 to 30 individuals. In the park’s forested areas, these groups are occasionally seen meandering aimlessly, oscillating between the trees, and consuming leaves, fruits, and flowers. For wildlife enthusiasts, observing these charming animals in their natural habitat is an indelible experience.
Red colobus monkeys in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Walking Trails
Well-maintained walking trails at Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park allow visitors to investigate the park’s diverse ecosystems and observe red colobus monkeys closely. Appreciate the visual and auditory experiences of the park while walking along the designated paths in the forested areas. A diverse array of avian and other animals, including bushbabies and Sykes monkeys, is expected to be sighted along the path.
Mangrove Decking/Boardwalk
Walk along the boardwalk to admire the unique splendor of the mangrove forest. The raised route allows for navigation of the wetland habitat with minimal disruption to the fragile ecosystem. Appreciate the intricate root systems of mangroves and recognize their importance in preserving the shoreline and providing habitat for many marine organisms.
Wildlife Viewing Platforms
Numerous elevated observation platforms are strategically located within Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park to provide visitors optimal viewpoints for observing the red colobus monkeys. From these platforms, you may observe the monkeys as they engage with each other, traverse the trees, and forage for food. Utilizing binoculars or a camera equipped with a zoom lens enhances your ability to observe and capture remarkable close-ups of these intriguing critters.