Jozani Forest and the Zanzibar red colobus
The Zanzibar red colobus lives only on Zanzibar. Jozani Forest, in the south of the island, is where most visitors see it, often at close range.
The park
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is Zanzibar’s only national park. It protects the last significant area of groundwater forest on the island, along with mangroves and coral rag thicket around Chwaka Bay.
The red colobus
The Zanzibar red colobus is a monkey found nowhere else in the world. It is endangered. Several habituated groups live in and around the forest edge, and they are used to people, which is why visitors can see them closely.
They are leaf-eaters with a red-brown back, a pale face and a white crown. Local farmers once believed they damaged crops, but work by the park and community has helped change that view.
The visit
A guided walk through the forest takes about an hour, following the colobus groups and the forest trail. A separate walk crosses a boardwalk through the mangroves, where you can see the roots, crabs and mudskippers.
Seeing them responsibly
- Keep a distance of at least a few metres.
- Do not feed the monkeys.
- Do not visit if you have a cold. Colobus can catch human respiratory infections.
- Keep voices low and follow the ranger’s lead.
Questions we get asked
Almost. The habituated groups are close to the entrance and seen on the great majority of visits.Are sightings guaranteed?
Yes. The walks are short and flat, and children usually enjoy the monkeys.Is it good for children?
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