The Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is 50km national park of Tanzania located on the Island of Zanzibar. It’s the only National park in Zanzibar. The Zanzibar red colobus found in the park, a rain forest speciesis also known as Kirk’s red colobus, named after Sir John Kirk, the British Resident of Zanzibar who had first brought it to the attention of zoological science. It’s now adopted as the flagship species for conservation in Zanzibar, from the mid-1990s. the other species of fauna found in the park are the sykes monkey, bush babies, more than 50 species of butterflies and 40 bird species.

The nocturnal Zanzibar tree hyrax, which has got four toes on its front feet and three on its back, is said to be the first hyrax species that has acclimatized to the forest. The park attracts 10% of the over 100,000 visitors to Zanzibar every year. Wild life attractions of Zanzibar also include dolphins apart from deep sea fishing for tuna, shark and Marlin. The other animal species of the Unguja Island unequaled else where is the Zanzibar leopard. The sea grass beds of the Chwaka Bay, fringed with mangrove forests, are important breeding grounds for marine organisms, including open seas fish species. The mangroves are also good breeding grounds for birds. An integrated conservation and Development planning for the area is under consideration. The bay is to be declared Ramsar site and is placed on the Tanzanian Tentative list for world Heritage sites to recognize its unique natural and cultural assests with due consideration of proposed conservation efforts.

The park site occupies the largest remaining stand of near natural forest on Zanzibar. The forest resets upon a reef limestone marine terrace. The Habitats with in the park and associated protected lands including a ground water forest, coastal forest, and grassland, with mangroves and salt marsh at the coast. The vegetation types and grassland, with magroves and salt marsh at the coast. The vegetation types found with in the park once existed throughout Zanzibar. The endangered animals found here include; Zanzibar red colobus, Aders’s duiker, Zanzibar servaline genet

Game viewing

This is a common activity carried out in this national park. The tourists will have a chance of viewing many animal species including; Zanzibar leopards, zanzibar red colobus, Aders’s duikers, zanzibar servaline genet, dolphins and many more. You are always accompained by a trained ranger as you carry out the game drives.

Bird watching

Zanzibar has got many bird species and these can be enjoyed by those who love bird watching. Most bird species found here include; the white faced whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, white backed duck, Egyptian goose, the African pygmy goose and the red billed Duck and many more.

 Guided Nature walks

The guided nature walks are carried out by a trained guide who will help you explore variety of animal’s species as well as birds as you move on foot. You will also have chance to visit the Zanzibar museum and get to learn about the history of the area.

Cultural visits.

The park has got many people that surround it and these can be visited on your tour to this beautiful park. You will get to learn about the cultures of these people and also enjoy their cultural performances. These local people have got souvenir shops and sell lots of cultural items that one might find interesting.

How to reach Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

The park can be reached from Zanzibar which is 35km or tourists can take a bus from paje town. The best time to visit can be all year round but the most convenient time is in the dry season.