Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Jozani is the last substantial stand of the groundwater forest that once covered much of central Zanzibar, made a national park in 2004, and its best-known resident is the Zanzibar red colobus, a monkey found nowhere else and reduced to a few thousand animals. The troops near the road are used to people and are seen at close range. The park also holds a mangrove boardwalk on Chwaka Bay, coral rag forest and a small population of the elusive Zanzibar servaline genet.

What you actually see

• The Zanzibar red colobus - a monkey found only on this island, seen at close range.
• The groundwater forest - the last large stand of the island's original forest.
• The mangrove boardwalk - a raised walk out over the mangrove on Chwaka Bay.
• The coral rag forest - the drier scrub forest on the raised limestone.

When to go

June to October and December to February are the drier seasons. Mornings and late afternoons are best for the monkeys. The long rains from March to May bring heavy downpours.

Honest expectations

The park is small and the visit is short, usually an hour or two. The colobus near the road are heavily habituated and the encounter is not a wild one. Guides are compulsory and included in the fee.

Nearby

Zanzibar City is northwest, and Kizimkazi is south.