Zanzibar has been a tourist destination over the years due to its diverse tourism activities that the island offers.
Zanzibar is Tanzania’s archipelago off the East African coast.
It is loved for its crystal white-water beaches, wildlife, birds, rich history, spices, and diverse culture.
The common language spoken in Zanzibar is Swahili, although some locals speak both Arabic and English.
Arab traders used Zanzibar as a base for voyages between Arabia, India, and Africa.
They later established garrisons and built mosques.
The Portuguese gained control of Zanzibar for about 200 years until the Sultanate of Oman took over.
Zanzibar became a center of trade for spices, ivory, and the slave trade.
Over 50,000 slaves were sold annually in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is home to the historic Stone Town, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can visit Giuliani Bridge, the House of Wonders, Livingstone House, and many other historical sites where a knowledgeable tourist guide will explain everything you need to know about Zanzibar’s history.
Zanzibar is also sometimes known as the “Spice Islands” because spice farming contributes significantly to Zanzibar’s economy.
You can visit the spice farms and learn how spices are grown and harvested.
Common spices in Zanzibar include cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, chilies, lemongrass, turmeric, black pepper, and much more.
Zanzibar’s culture is influenced by Persians, Indians, Arabs, Portuguese, British, and Africans. The dominating religion is Islam.
You can explore different ethnicities and learn about their cultural beliefs and ways of living.
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is found on Zanzibar Island and derives its name from Jozani town, home to about 800 people, which is located close to the park.
The park was established in 1960, covering an area of 50 square kilometers.
Jozani Chwaka Bay is a habitat for rare and endangered wildlife, such as red colobus monkeys (estimated to be over 1000), bush babies, tree hyrax, servaline genet, and adder’s duiker, among others.
The main tourist activity at the park is a nature-guided walk through the lush green forests.
Visitors aren’t allowed to get very close to the primates for the sake of animal and human safety.
Jozani Chwaka Bay is home to over 80 species of birds recorded, including migratory birds from North Africa and Europe that appear in certain seasons of the year.
Some examples of birds found in the park include black-bellied starling, crowned hornbill, eastern olive sunbird, little greenbul, somber greenbul, crested Guinea fowl, red-eyed dove, emerald-spotted wood dove, African green pigeon, Fisher’s turaco, white-browed coucal, African palm swift, water thick-knee, Senegal lapwing, common ringed plover, small buttonquail, long-tailed cormorant, little egret, cattle egret, palm-nut vulture, speckled mousebird, and lilac-breasted roller, among others.
You can also visit the people living in Jozani town, interact with the locals, and learn about their very rich cultural values and beliefs.
Don’t forget to support the locals by buying locally handmade crafts to take back home as souvenirs.
Jozani Chwaka Bay is the only national park in Zanzibar, but there are also other protected areas and reserves that can be seen below:
Kiwengwa/Pongwe Forest Reserve
Kiwengwa/Pongwe Forest Reserve, also known as Kiwongwe Uroa Forest, is situated 20 kilometers from Zanzibar on Unguja.
The forest is a birder’s sanctuary with 45 species of birds recorded. You can also spot other wildlife such as adder’s duiker, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, and many others.
There are over 100 plant species recorded in the forest.
Most Zanzibar birding safaris happen here.
Ngezi Forest Reserve
Ngezi Forest Reserve is situated on Pemba Island. The reserve is one of the last remaining covers of indigenous forest that once covered the whole island.
The forest is a habitat for primate species like the Velvet monkey, red colobus monkeys, and more.
The forest is also a birder’s paradise with many aquatic birds to be seen. Walking trails have been established for guided nature walks.
Chumbwe Island Coral Park
Chumbwe Island Coral Park is home to the most beautiful coral garden in the world, making it a habitat for different aquatic wildlife such as different fish species and turtles.
Tourists can get close to aquatic life through snorkeling.
The reserve is privately owned and part of Chumbwe Forest Reserve.
They have established various walking trails through the forest for nature-guided walks and a lighthouse offering spectacular views of the island.
You can reach Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park by flying to Zanzibar or taking a ferry from the mainland to Zanzibar.
The drive from Zanzibar town to Jozani takes about 40 minutes only.
The park can be visited all year round, but the best time is during the drier months of June to September and December to February.
