Explore Jozani Forest : One of the stunning locations on Tanzanian safaris or Zanzibar vacation packages is the Jozani Forest. This natural forest reserve was gazetted in the 1960s and is a part of the 50 square kilometre Jozani – Chwaka Bay National Park. One of Africa’s most valued natural areas, Jozani Forest Reserve is one of the few remaining sanctuaries housing rare primates.
Situated on the enchanted island of Zanzibar, Jozani Forest is an astonishingly expansive native forest reserve. It is a small native forest that is well-known for the red colobus monkeys that live there (Procolobus Kirkii). Sir John Kirk gave these apes their name, and as of right now, there are fewer than 6000 of them in the world. Among them are some extremely rare species that live in Jozani Forest.
Where is Jozani forest located.
Geographically, Jozani Forest is located in the middle of Zanzibar Island’s Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. Jozani Forest is located approximately 38 kilometres to the southeast of the Historic Stone Town. At first, this native forest reserve encompassed Central Zanzibar, which is bounded by Jozani village and sits between Chwaka Bay and Uzi Bay.
Jozani Forest is a wonderful location in and of itself. Rainy seasons make it easier to see the unique swamp forest with its moist trees, palms, and ferns, which gives visitors a sense of being in a tropical rain forest. The high altitudinal zone is characterized by dense mangrove and a dry coral rag forest. The majority of mangrove forests are made up of sea grass beds, which are ideal for breeding a variety of marine species, including open sea fish. On Zanzibar Island, Chwaka Bay alone has been designated as a Ramsar Site.
The Jozani Chwaka Bay Conservation Project was deliberately started in order to provide a haven for the surviving native groundwater forest. Today, the Jozani Forest preserves a variety of habitats, including mangroves, evergreen thickets, and swamp forests. Numerous wildlife species, including Sykes, bush pigs, Ader’s duikers, red colobus monkeys, birds, etc., can be found in each of these habitats.
History of Jozani Forest Reserve.
Jozani Forest was first established in 1960 as a Forest Reserve and was later upgraded to a National Park in 1984. It was made official as Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park in 1984. Most visitors who used to come here to hunt for Zanzibar leopards did so at first as hunters.
Jozani Forest Wildlife Species.
On Zanzibar Island, the Jozani Forest Reserve is a significant area that is primarily valued for its unique plant and animal species. An estimated 100 tree species, 50 butterfly species, 291 plant species, and other organisms are found in the reserve.
Approximately 1000 Kirks red colobus monkeys and other mammal species, such as duikers, bush babies, African civets, and Sykes monkeys, are currently protected in Jozani Forest.
Jozani Forest Bird Species.
One of the Zanzibar Archipelago’s Important Birding Areas (IBAs) is Jozani Forest. Over forty different bird species can be found in Jozani Forest alone, such as the African goshawk, Fischer’s turacos, Sombre greenbul, Zanzibar red bishops, East Coast Akalat, Mouse-colored sunbirds, crowned hornbills, Olive sunbirds, and Little Green Bull.
Birds such as Saunders’s terns and Sand and Crab plovers may be spotted in Jozani’s extensive mangrove forest.
What to expect on Jozani Forest Visit?
When visiting the Jozani Forest, there is much to discover, enjoy, and do.
Every visitor to the Jozani Forest is accompanied by an expert guide during walks through the forest or natural areas, wildlife observation, or bird watching.
You can add visits to Stone Town, a UNESCO Site, spice tours, snorkeling excursions, beach vacations, scuba diving, dolphin tours, and other safari activities to your Jozani Forest tour.
Best time to go to Jozani Forest?
Vacations to Jozani Forest can be planned for any time of year. However, the dry season is a very good time for you to visit Jozani Forest and enjoy its best features.
You should schedule your safari to Jozani Forest during the two major dry seasons, which are June, July, August, September, October, December, January, February, and March.
The best time to enjoy guided nature walks, forest walks, and wildlife viewing is during these dry months. Jozani Forest’s nature walks can occasionally be difficult due to the occasionally heavy rains that fall during the wet/rainy season, as the trails can become slippery.
Accommodation options.
When considering a safari to Jozani Forest, there are three types of accommodations to choose from: budget, moderate, and luxurious. The Whitesands Luxury Villas, Hakuna Majiwe Beach Lodge, Amani Beach Hotel, B4 Boutique Hotel, B4 Beach Club, Mwezi Boutique Hotel, and many more are among them.
Getting to Jozani Forest.
If you decide to take a Jozani Forest tour, you should plan on leaving Stone Town and travelling 38 km southeast to Paje or Kizimkazi.
