JOZANI CHWAKA BAY NATIONAL PARK
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is by far the only pristine protected area on the Zanzibar Island and it is set just at close proximity to Jozani town. This park was gazetted as national park in 2004 and it occupies an area of 50sq.kms which makes it one of the smallest parks in Tanzania. It covers the Jozani Forest and Chwaka Bay offering refuge to unique and most of the endangered primate species. While on Tanzania safari in Zanzibar, a visit to Jozani Chwaka National Park should be a must and you won’t be left in regrets. This park is also managed by Tanzania National Parks Authority.
Tourist attractions in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Wildlife
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park hosts variety of primate species including the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkeys which you can’t find anywhere else except only in Zanzibar. These category of red colobus monkeys are also popular as Kirk’s red colobus monkeys that derived their name from Sir John Kirk-the British resident of Zanzibar. Other primates that live in this park include bush babies, Sykes monkeys and other wildlife species include among others the Zanzibar tree hyrax, an estimate of about 50 butterfly species, duikers, African civets, giant elephants, chameleons while marine life include shark, dolphin, marlin and many more.
Birdlife
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park has an estimate of about 80 avifaunal species and they include European and North African bird species as well as residential birds which can easily be spotted in the Mangrove Forest, grassland area along the ocean shores. The birds to expect to sight in this park include crowned hornbills, black bellied starling, little greenbul, eastern olive sunbird, somber greenbul, East coast batis, mangrove kingfishers, dark backed weaver, blue mantled crested flycatcher, African paradise flycatchers to mention but a few.
Safari activities to do in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Wildlife viewing
On a wildlife viewing safari in Jozani Chwaka National Park, the various species of wildlife to sight include adder’s duikers, Sykes monkeys, elephants, red colobus monkeys and avifaunal species. Despite the fact that this park has fewer wildlife species than other popular parks like Serengeti National Park, embarking on wildlife viewing here is such a memorable experience.
Birding
Birding is one of the incredible safari activities offered to visitors on Tanzania safari in Jozani Chwaka National Park. The park boasts of an estimate of about 80 bird species and on your birding tour, you stand a chance to identify birds such as the eastern olive sunbird, somber greenbul, East coast batis, mangrove kingfishers, dark backed weaver, crowned hornbills, black bellied starling, little greenbul, blue mantled crested flycatcher, African paradise flycatchers.
Guided nature walks
Nature lovers are never left out when it comes to safari experiences in this pristine protected area because it is possible to embark on guided nature walk. On nature walk, visitors can be in position to spot different primate species, birds and also pay a visit to the Zanzibar Museum.
Best time to visit Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Tourists on can visit Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park at any time of the year, however, game viewing is best conducted during the dry months of year which occur starting June, July, August and September.
Accommodation in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
The notable accommodation choices around Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park include Beach View Chwaka Resort, Maars Resort, Paradise Beach Resort and Paradise Beach Hotel Resort.
How to get to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is accessible from Zanzibar via Southeast direction about 35kms away to the park. You can also drive from Paje Town via Paje road to park entry gate. The best way to get here is in organized tours and that is why Mega Wild Safaris is readily available to make your dream come into reality.