During my nearly two-week stay in Zanzibar, I was a bit hesitant to visit Jozani Forest. I’d heard mixed opinions from other travellers — some raved about the red colobus monkeys, while others felt it wasn’t worth the time. But eventually, curiosity won me over, and I’m so glad it did. Nestled on the island’s east coast, Jozani Forest turned out to be a peaceful escape from the beaches, offering lush greenery, fascinating wildlife, and a side of Zanzibar that many visitors miss.

Jozani Forest in Zanzibar – What You Need to Know Before Your Visit

If you’re visiting Zanzibar, the pristine beaches and turquoise waters are understandably the main draw. But if you’re ready for a little change of scenery, a visit to Jozani Forest should be on your itinerary. This conservation park on the east coast of the island is often skipped by travellers, but it’s a unique experience, offering rich greenery, mangroves, and Zanzibar’s famous red colobus monkeys.

Whether you’re a nature lover or just looking for a break from sunbathing, Jozani Forest offers a refreshing and educational experience that’s very different from the beaches.

What to expect visiting Jozani Forest

The main reason most people visit is to see the endemic red colobus monkeys. They are adorable and can often be spotted in the trees at the edge of the forest.

But Jozani Forest is much more than monkeys. The park includes:

• Extensive mangroves, perfect for photography and learning about the unique ecosystem.

• Diverse flora, including medicinal plants and ancient trees.

All visitors must enter the park with a designated guide, who will explain the history of the forest, its wildlife, and the plants. Note that guides are assigned, so you won’t be able to choose your own.

Top Tips for Visiting Jozani Forest

• If your only goal is to see the red colobus monkeys, you can sometimes spot them without entering the forest. There are areas near the roadside where the monkeys jump through the trees, making for easy observation.

• Bring water, insect repellent, and a hat — it can get hot and humid.

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes for walking on muddy paths. I personally love my Tropicfeel trainers — they’re durable, easy to wash, and have lasted me over 4 years!

• Take a camera — the mangroves, monkeys, and boardwalks make for great photo opportunities.

Should you Include Jozani Forest in Your Zanzibar Trip?

While beaches are undoubtedly spectacular, Jozani Forest offers something different — a mix of adventure, wildlife, and education. However, as I always promise to be honest about my trips and experiences, I suggest that t’s worth spending a morning or afternoon here only if you stay in Zanzibar for longer. The forest gives you a break from the heat and sand while letting you experience a side of the island that few tourists see. But if you only have a few days, I don’t thing it is an excursion that would wow you.

Practical information

What to wear:

Since it’s most likely to be hot and humid there, wear loose clothes and shoes that cover your feet to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other creatures that live there. For those kind of activities (where water or mud is involved) I usually wear my Tropicfeel trainers that are comfortable and can be washed in the machine (I’ve had them for 4 years already and still in mint condition).

Flying to Zanzibar: Zanzibar is quite easy to reach from many destinations across Europe and the Middle East, with direct flights from Qatar or a short stopover in Doha. SkyAcanneris my go-to site to search for flights as it compares the prices and timings of different airlines, which makes the whole hassle of researching much smoother. They also have now a brief description of what is needed for each destination in terms of covid tests etc.

Booking your stay: 

I listed in my previous post the hotels I’d recommend, but everyone has different preferences regarding the prices and areas, so feel free to use the box below to book yours.

See also:

• Zanzibar Travel Guide: How to Explore Jozani Forest and See Red Colobus Monkeys
• 10 days in Seychelles: what you can see and do.
• A guide to malaria free safari in South Africa – Madikwe.
• How to spend 4 days in Cape Town: a perfect itinerary.

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

• Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
• AirHelp helps to get compensation for cancelled or delayed flights.
• Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
• Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
• Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
• World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
• WeGoTrip sends you audio guides to your mobile, so you can visit places while learning history and interesting facts easily and for little money.
• Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%.
• Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
• Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.
• Airalo is my eSim choice for alternative data abroad.

Did you like the post? Pin it for later:

Please note that this post included affiliate links, when you decide to purchase anything through these links I get a small commission at NO extra cost to you, it helps me to keep running this blog! I only promote products and services I use or would use myself. All images are the property of Postcards from the World and cannot be used without permission.