Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is Zanzibar’s only national park and the last large area of natural forest on the island. It is best known as the home of the Zanzibar red colobus, a monkey found nowhere else in the world. Most visits take two to three hours.
The Zanzibar red colobus
Also called Kirk’s red colobus, this monkey has a reddish back, a pale face and a white crown of fur. Only a few thousand remain, most of them in and around Jozani. Groups are used to people, so you can watch them from a few metres away as they feed and play. Do not feed or touch them, and keep a distance of about three metres. Read more about the species in our guide to colobus monkeys.
What else you can see
- Sykes’ monkeys in the forest.
- Birds including sunbirds, turacos and kingfishers.
- Butterflies, especially in the wet season.
- Small antelopes such as Ader’s duiker and suni, which are shy and rarely seen.
- The Zanzibar leopard is said to survive in the area but is almost never seen and may be extinct.
The mangrove boardwalk
A wooden boardwalk leads through a mangrove swamp at the edge of Chwaka Bay. A guide explains how mangroves protect the coast and provide a nursery for fish and crabs. At high tide the water rises around the roots.
Planning your visit
- Location: central Zanzibar, about 45 minutes from Stone Town and on the way to the east coast.
- Best time: morning or late afternoon, when the monkeys are most active.
- Guides: included with the park entry fee.
- Bring: insect repellent, comfortable shoes and a camera.
Jozani fits well on the transfer from Stone Town to Paje or Jambiani. Read our Zanzibar beaches guide and see Zanzibar beach week.
Frequently asked questions
The Zanzibar red colobus, Sykes’ monkeys, many birds and butterflies, and small antelopes such as suni and Ader’s duiker.
Yes. Only a few thousand remain, mostly in and around Jozani.
Two to three hours, including the forest walk and the mangrove boardwalk.
