What You Need to Know: A Jozani Forest tour takes two to three hours: a forest trail with a park guide to see the Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, found nowhere else on Earth, and a boardwalk through the mangroves. Jozani is about 45 minutes from Stone Town, on the road to the south and east coasts. It costs US$105 per person (children half), including the park entry fee, park guide and hotel transfers.
The Zanzibar Red Colobus: Jozani's Rare Monkey
The Zanzibar red colobus is an endangered monkey found only on Zanzibar, with a red back, a pale face and a crown of long white hair. Groups live in the forest and the farms around it and are used to visitors, so you can watch them at a few meters. Keep at least 10 ft (3 m) from the monkeys and don't feed them. Sykes' monkeys, bushbabies and many birds live here too.
The Zanzibar red colobus is one of Africa's rarest monkeys, found only on this island. Each group has a dominant male, several females and their young, and they spend the day feeding on leaves, flowers and unripe fruit. Their diet is hard to digest, so they rest a lot, which makes them easy to watch and photograph.
Some groups live in the farmland around the forest edge and are used to people, so you can watch them at a few meters. Keep your distance, don't feed them, and don't touch them: they can catch human illnesses. Your park guide explains how the colobus live and how the park protects them.
Combine Jozani with the dolphin tour at Kizimkazi in the morning, or visit on the way to the south and east coasts.
Jozani's Forest Trail and Mangrove Boardwalk
The forest trail winds through tall trees and palms; the mangrove boardwalk takes you over the tidal swamp. Both walks are flat and easy. The park guide explains the trees, medicinal plants and the role of the mangroves in protecting the coast.
Combining Jozani with Other Trips
Jozani is on the main road to the south and east coasts, so you can visit on your way from Stone Town to a beach hotel in Paje, Jambiani or Michamvi. It also pairs with the dolphins at Kizimkazi or a spice farm in one day.
How Much Does a Jozani Forest Visit Cost?
A visit to Jozani Forest is priced as one of our guided Zanzibar excursion days: US$105 per person, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel; children pay half. Activities run by other vendors, such as jet skis, are paid separately unless they are named in your itinerary.
- Park entry fee
- Park guide
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel
Zanzibar requires every foreign visitor to buy the government's inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult with reduced rates for children; from October 1, 2026 mainland Tanzania has the same requirement. If your trip includes both, one policy is enough, bought for your first point of entry. We help guests buy it, or you can buy it on the official portal.
Tips for Visiting Jozani Forest
- Go in the morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler and the monkeys are more active
- Wear closed shoes and bring insect repellent
- Keep your distance and don't feed the monkeys
- Bring a camera with a zoom
Visits are best in the morning, when the monkeys are active and the forest is cool. Wear closed shoes for the trail, bring insect repellent for the mangroves, and carry water. The walk is easy and suitable for children and older travelers; the mangrove boardwalk is flat but can be slippery after rain.
Photography is allowed without flash. Keep at least about 10 ft (3 m) from the monkeys and follow your guide's directions; groups near the road are used to people, but they are still wild.
- The monkeys move fast in dappled light: use a fast shutter
- No flash: it disturbs the animals
- Morning visits have softer light and fewer visitors
- Wear insect repellent for the mangrove boardwalk
How to Book a Jozani Forest Visit
Tell us your hotel, your date and the number of travelers (with children's ages), and we confirm the pickup time. A 30% deposit confirms your booking, and the balance is paid on arrival.
Why Jozani Forest Matters
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park protects Zanzibar's largest remaining forest and the main home of the red colobus, which lives nowhere else. The entry fee supports the park and nearby communities, and farmers around the forest are encouraged to live alongside the monkeys rather than drive them away.
Common Questions About Jozani Forest
How long does a Jozani visit take?
Two to three hours, plus the drive.
Are the red colobus monkeys easy to see?
Yes, they are usually seen close to the trails.
Is Jozani suitable for children?
Yes. The walks are flat and short, and children pay half.
How long do you need at Jozani Forest?
About two to three hours for the forest trail and the mangrove boardwalk.
Are the red colobus monkeys dangerous?
No, but they are wild animals: keep your distance and don't feed them.
Is Jozani Forest suitable for children?
Yes: the trail is short and easy, and children love watching the monkeys.
Can I visit Jozani on the way to Paje?
Yes: it lies on the road from Stone Town to the south and east coasts, so it is easy to stop on a transfer day.
How much is the Jozani tour?
US$105 per person (children half), including the park entry, park guide and transfers.
The Bottom Line
Visit Jozani on your way to the east coast, in the cool of the morning or late afternoon, for the island's own monkey and its mangroves.
Send us your dates, your hotel (or the area you'd like to stay in), the number of travelers and the trips you are interested in through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will reply with a written quotation.