Jozani Forest Tour Zanzibar – Red Colobus Monkeys, Mangrove Boardwalk & Guided Nature Walk
Step off the beach and into Zanzibar’s only national park. Walk shaded trails beneath towering mahogany trees, stand a few metres from the Zanzibar red colobus — a monkey found nowhere else on earth — and cross a raised boardwalk through a living tidal mangrove forest.
This half-day excursion is easy, shaded and family-friendly, led by a local guide alongside an official park ranger. It pairs perfectly with a beach afternoon in Paje or a stop at The Rock Restaurant on the way back.
Duration
Tour Type
Nature & Wildlife
Difficulty
Easy
Age
All Ages
Wildlife
Red Colobus
Drinks
Bottle of water
Park Fees
Included
Pickup
Available
Overview
The Jozani Forest Tour takes you into Jozani–Chwaka Bay National Park, the only national park on Zanzibar and the last significant stretch of indigenous groundwater forest on the island. Roughly 50 square kilometres of mahogany canopy, evergreen bushland, salt marsh and mangrove sit about 35 kilometres southeast of Stone Town, directly on the road to the east-coast beaches.
The reason most travellers come is the Zanzibar red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus kirkii) — endemic to the island, endangered, and entirely used to visitors. Troops feed and move through the trees along the roadside grove, often close enough to photograph without a zoom lens. Your guide will keep the group at a respectful distance while you watch them.
Beyond the monkeys, a ranger-led nature trail explains the forest itself: mahogany and fig, medicinal plants still used in Swahili villages, Sykes’ monkeys, bush babies, butterflies and birds. Across the road, a raised timber boardwalk carries you over the Pete–Jozani mangrove channel, where crabs work the mud between the roots and the tide moves in and out beneath your feet.
If you want the best wildlife experience in Zanzibar without leaving the island, Jozani is the one. It is short, shaded, easy on the legs, and it is the only place in the world to see the red colobus in the wild.
Guiding travelers across Zanzibar with a passion for sharing the island’s beauty, culture, and hidden gems. Rama and his local team are committed to delivering authentic experiences, friendly service, and unforgettable adventures across Zanzibar.
Highlights
Red Colobus Monkeys
Endemic to Zanzibar — found nowhere else on earth
Mangrove Boardwalk
Raised walkway through a living tidal forest
Groundwater Forest
Towering mahogany and fig canopy
Only National Park
Jozani–Chwaka Bay, protected since 1960
Wildlife Viewing
Sykes monkeys, birds, duikers & more
Medicinal Plants
The Swahili bush pharmacy explained
Family-Friendly
Easy trails suitable for all ages
Expert Local Guide
Learn about conservation & ecosystems
Itinerary
Hotel Pickup & Drive South
Your guide collects you from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and heads southeast along the Paje road. The drive takes roughly 40–60 minutes depending on where you are staying, passing coral-rag farmland and village life on the way.
Arrival & Park Briefing
At the Jozani gate you meet your official park ranger. A short briefing covers the forest, the wildlife you may see, and the simple rules that keep the monkeys wild — stay a few metres back, never feed them, and let them come to you.
Meet the Red Colobus Monkeys
A short walk brings you to the grove where the troops feed. The Zanzibar red colobus is endemic to the island and completely relaxed around people, so you will often watch them from just a few metres away as they move through the branches, groom and carry infants.
Guided Nature Trail Through the Forest
Follow the shaded trail through the groundwater forest, where mahogany and fig trees rise out of the seasonally flooded floor. Your ranger points out medicinal plants, butterflies, birdlife, and the tracks of Sykes’ monkeys, duikers and bush babies.
Walk the Mangrove Boardwalk
Cross the road to the Pete–Jozani mangrove forest, where a raised timber boardwalk carries you over the tidal channel. It is quiet, shaded and often skipped by rushed groups — but it is part of your ticket and one of the best parts of the visit.
Return to Your Hotel
You are back at your hotel by early afternoon on a morning departure. Because Jozani sits on the road to the east coast, this tour combines easily with Paje beach, The Rock Restaurant, Kuza Cave or a spice farm — just tell us when you book and we will build the day around it.
Price
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1 Person $50
-
2-3 Persons $30
Price per Person
-
4-6 Persons $27
Price per Person
-
7-14 Persons $25
Price per Person
-
15+ Persons More Discount
Price per Person
Includes
- Professional local guide
- Jozani National Park entrance fees
- Guided forest trails & mangrove boardwalk
- Bottled water / light refreshments
- All government fees & taxes
- Hotel pickup & return (available for extra cost)
Best Time to Visit Jozani Forest
Jozani runs year-round and the forest canopy keeps you shaded and dry through light rain. The dry seasons — June to October and December to February — give firm trails and the most comfortable walking, while the long rains in April and May leave the forest at its greenest but the paths muddy.
- Excellent — dry trails, easy walking
- Good — occasional showers
- Moderate — long rains, muddy trails, forest at its greenest
The month matters less than the hour. Red colobus monkeys feed and move actively before about 10am, then rest high in the canopy as the tour buses arrive. Whatever the season, book a morning departure.
What Guests Say
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jozani Forest Tour?
The Jozani Forest Tour is a half-day guided excursion into Jozani–Chwaka Bay National Park, the only national park on Zanzibar. It combines a walk through the endemic red colobus monkey grove, a ranger-led nature trail through indigenous groundwater forest, and a raised boardwalk over the Pete–Jozani mangrove channel. Park entrance fees and your ranger guide are included.
Where is Jozani Forest and how far is it?
Jozani sits about 35 km southeast of Stone Town, on the main road to the Paje, Jambiani and Bwejuu beaches. Driving time is roughly 40–60 minutes from Stone Town or the west coast, and only 15–20 minutes from the east-coast beaches.
How long does the Jozani Forest Tour take?
The tour is a half-day excursion of about 3–4 hours door to door, with roughly 1.5–2 hours inside the park. Exact duration depends on your hotel’s location and whether you add a second stop such as Paje beach or The Rock Restaurant.
Will I definitely see the red colobus monkeys?
Sightings are very reliable — the troops live permanently in the roadside grove and are habituated to visitors, so the great majority of guests see them at close range. They are still wild animals, so nothing is guaranteed, but Jozani is one of the most dependable primate encounters in East Africa. Your best odds are on an early-morning departure, when the monkeys are feeding rather than sleeping in the canopy.
What is the Zanzibar red colobus?
Piliocolobus kirkii is a monkey found only on Zanzibar and nowhere else in the world. It is classified as endangered, with the largest surviving population living in and around Jozani. It is recognisable by its rust-red back, black face and long white-tipped tail — and by its habit of sitting still long enough for a good photograph.
Is Jozani suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes. The trails are flat, shaded and well maintained, and the mangrove section is on a raised timber boardwalk. There is no climbing and no long distance to cover, which makes it one of our easiest tours and a favourite with families and multi-generation groups.
Can I touch or feed the monkeys?
No. Park rules require visitors to keep a distance of a few metres and never to feed or touch the monkeys. Feeding damages their health and diet, and close contact risks passing human illness to an endangered species. Your ranger will position the group so you get excellent photographs without disturbing them.
What should I bring on the tour?
- We recommend:
- Closed walking shoes or trainers
- Insect repellent — mosquitoes are active in the mangroves
- Light long sleeves
- Camera or phone (no zoom needed)
- Sunscreen and a hat for the walk between sections
- Shoulders and knees covered if you are stopping in a village
- Personal medications if required
Can I combine Jozani with another tour?
Yes, and most guests do. Because Jozani is on the road to the east coast, it pairs naturally with The Rock Restaurant, Paje beach, Kuza Cave, the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre next to the park, or a spice farm on the way back. Message us on WhatsApp and we will price the combination for you.
What happens if it rains?
The tour runs in the rain — the forest canopy provides good cover and the wildlife is unbothered. During the long rains in April and May the trails can be muddy, so closed shoes matter more. If conditions are genuinely unsafe we will contact you to reschedule at no cost.
Why book the Jozani Forest Tour with Rama Zanzibar?
We are a locally owned Zanzibar operator rated 4.9 stars across 100+ reviews. Every Jozani tour runs with a local guide who knows the park, in an air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi, with park fees already covered so there is nothing to pay at the gate. We answer on WhatsApp fast, we arrive on time, and we build the day around what you actually want to see.
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