Jozani Forest and Spice Farm tour: Red colobus monkeys and cloves

Red colobus monkeys live only in Jozani, and you'll watch them in the canopy from elevated boardwalks.

A four-hour private tour of Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and Jambo Spice Farm in Zanzibar combines wildlife observation with agricultural learning. You'll walk the mangrove boardwalks to spot endangered red colobus monkeys and other forest wildlife, then move to the spice farm to see, touch and smell cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, pepper and vanilla growing in their native soil. A licensed guide leads both stops. Private transport and bottled water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Jozani Forest and Spice Farm

• Guided tour of Jozani Forest
• Observe red colobus monkeys
• Walk mangrove boardwalks
• Learn about conservation efforts
• Tour Jambo Spice Farm
• See and smell local spices
• Learn about spice cultivation

The experience

Four hours takes you through two of Zanzibar's most distinctive ecosystems. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is built around the red colobus monkey (a species found nowhere else on earth), and the elevated boardwalks let you move through the mangrove forest at canopy level, where the monkeys travel and feed. The boardwalks also open onto the rich bird life and other wildlife the forest holds, and many tours weave in the conservation work that keeps the park functioning.

The second half moves to Jambo Spice Farm, where the plants themselves are the draw. Zanzibar earned the name "Spice Island" because cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, pepper and vanilla have grown here for centuries and shaped the island's economy and cuisine. On the farm you don't just see them. You touch the leaves, smell the bark, watch how they're harvested and learn what each one is used for. It's the kind of sensory education that sticks, and it connects directly to the food and flavors you'll encounter elsewhere on the island.

Private transportation means no group pickups or shared vehicle time; your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of three other languages; bottled water and a soft drink are included. Wheelchair-accessible surfaces and transportation run through both sites, and infants can travel in a stroller or specialized seat.

What’s included

• Private transportation.
• a licensed guide in your choice of language.
• bottled water and a soft drink.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

3 options

Mnemba Island with Spice FarmGuide in 7 languages · 07:00Discover the clear turquoise waters of Zanzibar on a snorkeling outing to Mnemba Island, including a visit to a spice farm. Duration: 5 hours. Includes: round-trip transport, lunch, a private boat, a tour guide, entrance fees, fruit and soft drinks. Pickup is included.

Spice farm and Jozani forest visitGuide in 7 languages · 08:30Includes pickup

Salaam cave together with the Jozani forestGuide in 7 languages · 07:00 and 08:30Start with a guided walk through Jozani Forest, then continue your journey to the mysterious Salaam Cave, and finish the day with a spice. Includes: a tour guide, entrance fees, round-trip transport, and local food at the spice farm. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 07:00 and 08:30, from US$ 100 per person, with live guides in 7 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:30

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

AgesAdult (26 to 45 years) · Senior (46 and older) · Youth (16 to 25 years) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Zahabu Tours

Is this one for you?The private format means no group waits or shared vehicle time, and the four-hour span fits easily into a half-day itinerary alongside other Zanzibar activities. If you want to move at your own pace and have a guide who can answer questions in depth, the dedicated transport and single-group setup make that possible.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional3 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 25 years); Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are red colobus monkeys and why do they only live in Jozani?

Red colobus monkeys are an endangered primate species indigenous to Zanzibar, found nowhere else in the world. Jozani National Park protects their habitat and the mangrove forest ecosystem they depend on, and the boardwalks let you observe them in the canopy without disturbing their movement or feeding.

Can I actually touch and smell the spices on the farm, or just look at them?

You see, touch and smell the spices where they grow. The farm visit is hands-on: you'll handle the plants, experience the aromas directly, and learn how each spice is cultivated and harvested on Zanzibar's soil.

How does the mangrove boardwalk work, and what else lives there besides the monkeys?

Elevated wooden boardwalks run through the mangrove forest, keeping you above the ground and giving you sightlines into the canopy where the red colobus monkeys move. The same forest holds various bird species and other wildlife, and the boardwalks let you move through without damaging the ecosystem.

Is this tour just walking, or is there a lot of standing and climbing involved?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels. The mangrove boardwalks are elevated but level. The spice farm is a walking tour through cultivated land. Both sites are wheelchair accessible, and the pace is set by the guide and your group's interests.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring or pay for separately?

Private transportation from your location, a licensed guide, bottled water and a soft drink are all included. Meals and alcoholic beverages are not included, so plan accordingly if you want lunch or a drink beyond what's provided.