Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Zanzibar's only national park, where you can get close to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkeys and walk boardwalks through mangrove forest.

Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park covers about 50 square kilometers and is Zanzibar's only national park, protecting the island's remaining native wetland forest and mangroves. Its star species is the Zanzibar red colobus, found only on the island, with perhaps a few thousand left in the world. It has reddish-black fur and a tuft of white hair on its head, and it is gentle; in the trees at the forest edge it is often just a few meters from visitors. Activities include a forest trail led by a licensed guide (about 1 hour, where you may see red colobus, Sykes monkeys, butterflies and giant mahogany trees), a boardwalk through the mangroves (to learn about mangrove ecology and fiddler crabs), and a small visitor center near the entrance. Admission is about USD 12, including the guide. Hours are about 07:30–17:00. The park sits in the central-south of the island, about 35 km from Stone Town (45 minutes' drive), right on the way to southeastern beaches such as Paje, and is often combined with a spice tour or an east-coast itinerary.

Note: keep at least 3 meters from the monkeys and do not feed them. Human diseases can spread to monkeys, so do not approach them closely if you are unwell.

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby