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Jozani Forest Walk

Rare Wildlife and Jozani Forest Walk: Alaïa Beach Resort
Red Colobus monkey sitting in a tree canopy feeding on leaves in Zanzibar

Guided Jozani Forest Walk Excursion: Alaia Beach Resort

Book a guided morning walk through the protected trails of the jozani forest, arranged directly by the activities team at Alaïa Beach Resort. This eco-tour takes you into Zanzibar’s only national park to see rare Red Colobus monkeys moving freely through the trees. Guests can walk along a scenic mangrove boardwalk, learn about native plant life, and enjoy a short, stress-free day trip located just 20 minutes from Paje.
Book Jozani Forest Walk

Who This Jozani Forest Walk Tour is for

The Jozani Forest tour is perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and families who want to experience Zanzibar beyond its beaches.
  • Wildlife Enthusiasts: Guests who want to get up close to the rare and playful Kirk's Red Colobus monkeys, a species found nowhere else on Earth, with no cages or barriers between visitors and the animals.
  • Nature Walkers: Travelers who enjoy guided walks through diverse ecosystems, including ancient hardwood forest, mangrove swamp, and coastal vegetation.
  • Families: The guided group walk is accessible to guests of various ages and fitness levels, covering lush forest trails with a local guide.
  • Photographers: The Red Colobus monkeys are habituated to human presence and can be observed and photographed at close range from the walking trail.

What the Jozani Forest Walk Tour Includes

  • Park Entry: Entry to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park includes a guide, with the entrance fee covering guided access to the main forest trails.
  • Expert Local Guide: Local guides from the surrounding communities possess intimate knowledge of the forest and its inhabitants, providing insights into the ecology, the behavior of the monkeys, and the various plant species found within the park.
  • Red Colobus Monkey Encounter: Guests walk along shaded forest paths and observe the rare Kirk's Red Colobus monkeys swinging through the canopy, grooming each other, and foraging for food just steps away from the trail.
  • Mangrove Boardwalk: The tour continues across a scenic wooden boardwalk winding through a peaceful mangrove swamp, where guides explain the role this ecosystem plays in protecting Zanzibar's coastline.
  • Medicinal Plant Introduction: Guides share knowledge of the unique medicinal properties of plants found in the forest, which have been used by local communities for generations.

How the Jozani Forest Walk Tour Works

The guided walk runs for approximately 2 to 3 hours, covering forest trails and the mangrove boardwalk with a local naturalist guide.
  • Departure and Transfer to Jozani: Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is located in the central-east region of Zanzibar, approximately 20 minutes from Paje by road.
  • Forest Trail Walk: Enter the forest with your guide and begin the walk through the hardwood canopy, where Red Colobus monkeys are encountered along the main trail.
  • Monkey Encounter: The Red Colobus monkeys are notably relaxed around visitors, often walking within a few feet of guests on the trail without alarm, allowing for extended close observation.
  • Mangrove Boardwalk: A well-maintained wooden boardwalk takes visitors through the mangrove ecosystem, where tropical fish move between mangrove roots and crabs move across the mud below.
  • Return to Resort: Head back to Alaïa Beach Resort after the walk. Guests arriving back in time for lunch can head to Kaio, the resort's beachfront restaurant, open from 7:30 AM to 10 PM.

About Jozani Forest Walk

Jozani Forest is the only natural forest in Zanzibar Island and is located in the central-east region of the island between Chwaka Bay in the north and Uzi Bay to the south. It covers approximately 2,512 hectares including groundwater forest, coral rag forest, and salt marsh area, and contains around 100 tree species from a total of 43 families. The Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey, locally known as Kima Punju, lives in Jozani Forest and some other parts of Zanzibar’s main island. The monkeys are one of the rarest primates in Africa and are found only on Zanzibar. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park was established in 2004 specifically for the protection of the Red Colobus monkeys and other species and flora found in the forest. Because their numbers are limited, they are listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. The forest also accommodates Sykes monkeys, bush babies, Ader’s duiker, over 50 species of butterfly, and 40 species of birds, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas on the island. The park encompasses a significant mangrove ecosystem accessible via a wooden boardwalk, where visitors learn how mangroves act as natural barriers against erosion, filter water, and serve as crucial breeding grounds for marine life including fish and crustaceans.

Benefits of Visiting Jozani Forest Walk with Alaïa Beach Resort

  • Convenient Proximity: Jozani Forest is approximately 20 minutes from Paje, making it one of the most accessible inland excursions available from the resort.
  • Guaranteed Monkey Sightings: The Red Colobus monkeys are reliably present and visible to visitors on guided walks, making this one of the most consistently rewarding wildlife encounters on the island.
  • Conservation Contribution: Entry fees paid at Jozani directly support the conservation programme protecting the Red Colobus monkey population and the wider forest ecosystem.
  • No Barriers or Cages: The monkeys move freely through the canopy alongside the walking trail, providing a natural and unmanaged wildlife encounter rather than a staged one.
  • Best Timing: Morning visits are recommended for better lighting, cooler temperatures, and increased chances of spotting monkeys and birds on the forest trails.

Other Guided Island Experiences at Alaia Beach Resort

If you would like to explore more of Zanzibar’s natural landmarks, our activities desk can easily organize any of these popular local trips:
  • Changu Island Excursion: A short boat ride to meet the giant Aldabra tortoises and see the historic ruins of Prison Island.
  • Mnemba Island Reef: A premier marine excursion to swim alongside sea turtles and tropical fish inside a protected coral sanctuary.
  • Spice Farm Tour: An interactive walking tour through the aromatic crop paths of the Tangawizi plantation.
  • Stone Town Cultural Tour: A rich historical journey through the narrow, winding streets of our local UNESCO World Heritage site.

Reserve Your Jozani Forest Walk Tour Today

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is Zanzibar’s only national park and the sole protected habitat of the endemic Red Colobus monkey. The resort activities team coordinates guided walks on a scheduled basis with morning departures recommended for the best wildlife conditions. Guests returning from Jozani in time for lunch can head to Kaio at Alaïa Beach Resort, where fresh seafood, Neapolitan pizza, and a full drinks program are available from 7:30 AM to 10 PM. Contact the Alaïa Beach Resort activities team today to check available morning slots and secure your park guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1- What is the Jozani Forest guided walk?
The Jozani Forest guided walk is an eco-adventure through Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar’s only national park, where guests encounter the endangered Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey in its natural habitat and explore the forest’s mangrove ecosystems and diverse wildlife on guided trails.
Yes, the Red Colobus monkeys are reliably present and visible on guided walks through the forest, making Jozani one of the few wildlife experiences in Zanzibar where sightings are consistently confirmed. Guides direct guests to active areas of the canopy where the monkeys are feeding or resting.
The guided walk runs for approximately 2 to 3 hours, covering the main forest trail and the mangrove boardwalk. Travel from Paje adds approximately 20 minutes each way.
Beyond the Red Colobus monkeys, the forest is home to Sykes monkeys, bush babies, Ader’s duikers, over 50 species of butterfly, and 40 species of birds. Chameleons are also frequently encountered on guided walks.
No. Feeding the monkeys or any other animals in the forest is strictly prohibited, and guides ensure visitors maintain a safe and respectful distance from the animals throughout the walk.
The dry seasons from June to October and December to February offer the most accessible trail conditions and highest wildlife activity. Morning visits are recommended for better lighting, cooler temperatures, and increased chances of spotting monkeys and birds.

About

Alaia Beach Resort Zanzibar was created from a deep love for the ocean, the white sands of Paje, and the simple, generous way of life that defines Zanzibar.

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