Jozani Forest, Kuza Cave & Paje Beach tour: Monkeys and mangroves

The mangroves have thousands of crabs working beneath them, visible from the wooden trail.

A full-day tour of Zanzibar's east coast visits Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park to see endemic monkeys and walk the mangrove boardwalk, then moves south to Kuza Cave (an ancient limestone formation with healing waters) before reaching Paje Beach and The Rock Restaurant for seafood lunch and ocean views. Private transportation, a guide in English or other languages, and bottled water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jozani Forest and Coastal Highlights

• Visit Jozani Forest and Mangroves
• Discover Kuza Healing Cave history
• Relax at Paje Beach
• Enjoy seafood lunch at The Rock Restaurant

The experience

The day starts at Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, where the tropical forest holds monkey species found nowhere else on Zanzibar. After the forest walk, a short hop takes you to the mangrove section of the park: a wooden trail runs through thousands of crabs at work in the mud below, and the guide explains the ecosystem as you move through it. The mangroves themselves are the draw here: a working landscape, not a backdrop.

From there the tour heads south to Jambiani village and Kuza Cave, an ancient healing cave formed 250,000 years ago when limestone fell and created stalactites and stalagmites inside. The cave holds deep history in Swahili culture. Locals believed it held everything they needed. You swim in the healing waters inside the cave before moving on. The cave is a real archaeological site, not a tourist construction, and the guide walks you through its formation and its place in island life.

The afternoon takes you to Paje Beach on the east coast: white sand, calm water, and quiet compared to the busier western beaches. From there, the tour ends at The Rock Restaurant, a structure built into the Indian Ocean itself, where you sit above the water and watch local dhow boats pass. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you order and pay separately at the restaurant. The operator asks that you reserve a table the day before. The panoramic view of the ocean and the sight of the boats working the water are what the stop is built around.

What’s included

• Private transportation to each stop.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• a live guide.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (25 to 74 years) · Senior (75 and older) · Youth (11 to 24 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Operated by Wise Tour Guide

Is this one for you?Choose this private full-day tour if your group wants to move together through four distinct landscapes (forest, cave, and beach) without splitting up or coordinating separate transport between stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 24 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What monkeys will I see at Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park?

Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park holds monkey species unique to Zanzibar that you won't find anywhere else on the island. The guide points them out as you walk the forest trail and explains their behavior and habitat.

Can I swim in Kuza Cave?

Yes, you swim in the healing waters inside Kuza Cave as part of the tour. The cave formed from limestone collapse and holds stalactites and stalagmites. Swimming is part of the experience the guide arranges.

Is lunch included at The Rock Restaurant?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You order and pay for your meal separately at The Rock Restaurant, where seafood is the main offering. The operator asks that you reserve a table the day before your visit.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs nine hours from start to finish, covering Jozani National Park, Kuza Cave, Paje Beach, and The Rock Restaurant with travel time between each stop.