Day Trips
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park (Red Colobus Monkey) Tour
Jozani Chwaka Bay is the only national park on Zanzibar, declared in 2004 and managed by the Zanzibar Department of Forestry rather than by TANAPA. Its 50 square kilometres protect groundwater forest, coral rag thicket and an extensive mangrove system, and it is the last stronghold of the Zanzibar red colobus.
Piliocolobus kirkii is endemic to the island and its global population is concentrated in and around this forest. The troops along the main trails are habituated to visitors and sightings are consistently reliable, often at very close range. A minimum distance is enforced, principally because primates catch human respiratory infections easily.
The visit has two parts. The forest walk of around 45 minutes to an hour covers the groundwater forest, where a high water table supports tall mahogany canopy, with guides pointing out medicinal plants and the coral rag thicket. The mangrove boardwalk follows, a raised walkway over the tidal system that would otherwise be impossible to enter.
Both sections are flat, short and suitable for almost all visitors. The park sits directly on the Stone Town to east coast road, which makes it a natural stop on a transfer day rather than a separate trip.
Planning your trip
Practical planning. This is a single day programme, so the whole experience depends on an early start and on weather conditions holding through the middle of the day. We quote fees at the tariff period current at the time of booking, since park, conservation and crater charges are revised periodically and are a significant share of the total cost. Yellow fever certification is required if you are arriving from or transiting a country with risk of transmission, and travel insurance covering medical evacuation is a condition of travel on all our programmes.
Season. June to October is the classic dry season, when vegetation thins, water sources concentrate wildlife and roads are at their most reliable. December to March brings green landscapes, calving on the southern plains and lower rates. April and May are the long rains, when some tracks become difficult and a number of seasonal camps close.
In the parks. Stay in the vehicle unless your guide confirms a stop is authorised, keep noise low near wildlife, never feed animals and take all rubbish out with you. Off-road driving, drones and unsupervised walking are prohibited or restricted across the national parks and conservation areas. These rules exist because visitor pressure is the main long-term threat to the places you have come to see.
Where this trip goes
Read the full destination guides for every protected area covered by this itinerary before you travel. Each one sets out habitat, seasonality, access and the managing authority in detail.
Compare similar packages
If the length, pace or budget of this itinerary is not quite right, these alternatives cover comparable ground:
- 3-Day Zanzibar Beach & Historic Stone Town Getaway
- 5-Day Zanzibar Island & Spice Relaxation Package
- 7-Day Ultimate Zanzibar Tropical Beach & Culture Holiday
- 12-Day Bush to Beach Safari (Northern Circuit + Zanzibar)
You can also browse the full package catalogue or the destination directory to build a custom itinerary with us.
Highlights
- Endemic Zanzibar red colobus at close and reliable range
- Groundwater forest with tall mahogany canopy
- Raised boardwalk over the Chwaka Bay mangrove system
- Compulsory local guide included in the entry fee
- Directly on the Stone Town to east coast road
Trip itinerary
Day 1: Jozani forest and mangrove boardwalk
Collection from your accommodation, roughly 45 minutes from Stone Town or 20 to 30 minutes from the east coast beaches, arriving at the park gate to pay fees and meet your guide.
The forest walk takes 45 minutes to an hour through groundwater forest and coral rag thicket, with the habituated red colobus troops along the forest edge and commentary on medicinal plants and forest ecology.
The mangrove boardwalk follows, a raised walkway over the tidal system towards Chwaka Bay.
Return transfer afterwards, or continue directly to your coastal hotel if this is a transfer day.
Included
- Return transfer from Stone Town or east coast accommodation
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park entry fee
- Compulsory local guide, drawn from surrounding communities
- Forest walk and mangrove boardwalk
- Bottled drinking water
Excluded
- Butterfly centre entry, an optional adjacent enterprise
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips for the guide
- Travel insurance
Accommodation
A half day excursion with no accommodation. There is nothing to stay in inside the park, and its position between Stone Town and the east coast means it is almost always done as a transfer day stop.
It is included as standard in our longer Zanzibar packages and in the bush to beach safari, where it fits neatly into the drive from Stone Town to the coastal hotel.
FAQs
How likely am I to see the red colobus?
Very likely. The troops along the main forest edge are habituated and are seen on the large majority of walks, frequently at close range. No wildlife sighting is guaranteed, but this is among the most dependable primate viewing in Tanzania.
Why can I not get closer or touch them?
Primates catch human respiratory infections readily, and an infection can move through a troop quickly. The enforced distance is a disease control measure. Flash photography is also discouraged.
Is Jozani managed by TANAPA?
No. It falls under the Zanzibar Department of Forestry, so fees, guiding rules and permits follow Zanzibar regulations rather than mainland national park procedure.
How long does the visit take?
Around 90 minutes to two hours on site for the forest walk and boardwalk together, or roughly half a day including transfers and the optional butterfly centre next door.
Will I see the big five on this trip?
Lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard are all realistically possible on the northern circuit, and rhino are seen in the Ngorongoro Crater with reasonable frequency though usually at distance. No operator can guarantee sightings of wild animals and we will not pretend otherwise.
Is a private vehicle included?
Road-based itineraries use a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, exclusively for your party, with a guaranteed window seat. Fly-in itineraries use camp-based vehicles shared with a small number of other guests, and a private vehicle can be added at extra cost.
What should I pack for a safari?
Neutral coloured layers, a warm fleece for early morning game drives, sun protection, binoculars and a camera with more storage than you expect to need. Soft-sided bags are required on any itinerary involving light aircraft, where the limit is typically 15 kilograms.
How much should I budget for tips?
Guidance rather than obligation: around 20 to 30 US dollars per vehicle per day for the driver-guide, and 5 to 10 dollars per guest per day for camp staff, pooled. We will give you a specific breakdown for your itinerary before departure.
How far in advance should I book Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park (Red Colobus Monkey) Tour?
For peak months, meaning July to October and the Christmas and New Year period, six to twelve months ahead. Camps and mountain permits in those windows genuinely sell out. For green season travel, two to three months is usually sufficient.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every itinerary we publish is a starting point. Days can be added or removed, accommodation tiers changed, internal flights substituted for road transfers, and extensions to Zanzibar or the southern parks attached. Tell us the constraint and we will build around it.