Spice Farm and Jozani Forest
Forest wildlife and a working plantation
- Location Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and the spice farms
- Duration Full day, approximately 7 hours
- Tour type Private or shared
- Availability Daily
Price on request Send the form and we reply with a firm quote, usually within a few hours.
Overview
The best land-based day on the island, and the right choice for guests more interested in nature and farming than in boats.
The morning starts in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, home of the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkey and the last substantial piece of the groundwater forest once covering Unguja. Bush babies, duikers, butterflies and forest birds live in the same trees. Keep your eyes on the canopy and your guide will find the troops. The walk finishes on the mangrove boardwalk crossing the tidal forest.
The afternoon runs on a working spice farm a short drive from Stone Town. Pepper, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon grow here alongside herbs and tropical fruit. Your guide handles the plants as you walk, so you taste and smell everything at the source, and explains how each spice reaches the local kitchen, the herbal medicine chest and the ceremonies at the heart of Zanzibari culture.
Fruit is cut and served, and there is time at the farm shop before the drive back.
Highlights
- Search for the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey
- Walk the mangrove boardwalk over the tidal forest
- Look for bush babies, duikers, butterflies and forest birds
- Two-hour walk through a working spice plantation
- Taste vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves
- Seasonal tropical fruit tasting
Itinerary
- 08:30
Hotel pickup
Collection and the drive toward Chwaka Bay.
- 09:45
Jozani forest trail
Guided walk to find the red colobus troops, then the mangrove boardwalk.
- 11:30
Drive toward Stone Town
A break for lunch on the way.
- 13:30
Spice farm walk
Two hours through the plantation, tasting and smelling as you go.
- 15:30
Fruit tasting and farm shop
Seasonal fruit and time at the farm shop.
- 16:00
Return transfer
Drive back to your hotel.
What is included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- National park and spice farm entrance fees and taxes
- English-speaking guide and park ranger
- Spice and fruit tasting
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch and drinks, where not listed as included
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Gratuities for your guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- Anything not named under what is included
- Spices bought at the farm shop
Pickup and meeting point
Pickup time: Around 08:30.
Meeting point: Hotel reception.
We collect from these areas:
- Stone Town
- Zanzibar City
- Maungani
- Nungwi
- Kendwa
- Matemwe
- Kiwengwa
- Pwani Mchangani
- Uroa
- Pongwe
- Chwaka
- Michamvi
- Paje
- Jambiani
- Makunduchi
- Kizimkazi
- Fumba
- Mangapwani
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun cream, hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Small notes in Tanzanian shillings or US dollars
- Camera
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for Stone Town
- Insect repellent
- Binoculars if you have them
Important information
- Park rules ask visitors to keep several metres from the monkeys and never feed them.
- Both walks are flat and mostly shaded, but closed shoes are more comfortable than sandals.
- A traditional Zanzibari lunch on the spice farm is available as an extra.
- Which spices and fruits are ripe depends on the season.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Is lunch included?
Not by default. A traditional lunch on the spice farm is available as an extra, otherwise there is a break on the drive.
How much walking is there?
About ninety minutes at Jozani and two hours on the farm, both at an easy pace.
Is this good for children?
Yes. The monkeys and the coconut climbing demonstration are both popular with families.
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