Jozani Forest and Prison Island
Forest wildlife and island tortoises
- Location Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and Changuu Island
- Duration Full day, approximately 8 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
A full day of nature across two very different habitats, the forest and the reef.
The morning walk goes through Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, the only national park on Unguja and a safe haven for the famous endemic Kirk’s red colobus monkey. Your guide leads you along the nature trail and helps you spot the troops, along with the forest’s other residents: Sykes’ monkeys, bush babies, duikers, butterflies and birds. The route also crosses the mangrove forest on the raised boardwalk.
Later in the day you are driven to Stone Town to catch the boat over to Changuu Island, a crossing of about thirty minutes. On arrival your guide sets out the story of the prison built in 1893 and never used to hold prisoners, and introduces the famous giant land tortoises.
The rest of the afternoon is free to relax, swim, snorkel the shallow reef or sunbathe before the boat returns.
Highlights
- Guided walk in the island's only national park
- Endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkeys
- Mangrove forest boardwalk
- Boat crossing to Changuu Island
- Aldabra giant tortoises and the 1893 prison
- Time to swim, snorkel and sunbathe
Itinerary
- 08:00
Hotel pickup
Collection and the drive toward Chwaka Bay.
- 09:15
Jozani forest trail
Guided walk for the red colobus and the other forest residents, then the mangrove boardwalk.
- 11:15
Drive to Stone Town
A break for lunch on arrival at the seafront.
- 13:00
Boat to Changuu Island
A thirty-minute crossing.
- 13:30
Tortoises and prison ruins
The island's history, the giant tortoises and the quarantine buildings.
- 14:30
Beach time
Swim, snorkel or rest in the shade.
- 16:00
Return
Boat back to Stone Town and transfer to your hotel.
What is included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- National park and island entrance fees, all taxes
- English-speaking guide and park ranger
- Return boat transfer to Changuu Island
- Snorkelling gear and life jacket
- 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
Pickup and meeting point
Pickup time: Around 08:00.
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
- Swimwear worn under your clothes
- Towel
- Insect repellent
Important information
- Wear swimwear under your clothes so the afternoon runs smoothly.
- Park rules ask visitors to keep several metres from the monkeys.
- Mosquitoes are present in the mangrove section.
- Lunch on Changuu Island is available as an extra.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Is lunch included?
Not by default. There is a break in Stone Town, and a seafood lunch on Changuu Island is available as an extra.
Will we see the red colobus?
Very likely. The troops near the main trail are habituated to visitors, though wild animals are never guaranteed.
How much walking is there?
Around ninety minutes at Jozani, then easy walking on the island.
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