Zanzibar day tour: Jozani Forest, spice farms & Stone Town

Red colobus monkeys in their forest, then the aromas of a working spice farm

A full-day tour of Zanzibar starting in Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, where you watch red colobus monkeys and other wildlife from a built bridge that protects the forest floor. The route continues through spice farms at Tangawizi Dole Village, then into Stone Town to visit the sultanate's historical sites and Forodhani. A live guide travels with you throughout, and private transport is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jozani Forest and Stone Town

• Visit Jozani Forest and see red colobus monkeys
• Walk on mangrove bridge to observe wildlife
• Tour Zanzibar city and explore three sultanates
• Visit Darajani spice market and Forodhani
• Explore spice farms at Tangawizi Dole Village

The experience

Your day starts at Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, a densely forested reserve where red colobus monkeys (a species found nowhere else but Zanzibar) move through the canopy. You'll also spot blue monkeys and elephant shrews as you walk. The conservation authority has built a raised bridge through the mangrove so you can observe the animals without disturbing the ground beneath them. This is the centerpiece of the tour, and the guide explains what you're seeing as you move through.

From there, the route takes you to Tangawizi Dole Village to walk through working spice farms. You'll move among the plants (clove, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon), and the guide points out how they grow and what they're used for. The aromas are part of the experience, and the guide shares stories about the spice trade that built Zanzibar's wealth. This stop sits between the forest and the city, so it breaks up the day without feeling rushed.

The final stretch moves into Stone Town, Zanzibar's ancient capital, where you visit three of the sultanate's historical sites and the Darajani spice market. Forodhani, the waterfront district, is also on the route. Private transportation carries you between each stop, and the guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or German depending on your preference. The tour runs about eight hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Your tour includes private transportation throughout the day.
• bottled water.
• all fees and taxes for the park and sites visited. Children from age one are welcome, and infants sit on an adult's lap during transport. The guide is a live person who speaks your choice of English, Spanish, Italian, French or German.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by KHAMIS TAXI DRIVER ZANZIBAR

Is this one for you?Book this guided tour if you want a structured itinerary covering both Jozani Forest's wildlife and the island's spice sites in one day, with your guide controlling the pace at each stop.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

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 are the red colobus monkeys, and why are they only in Zanzibar?

Red colobus monkeys are a rare primate species found only on Zanzibar, and Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is their main habitat. The guide will explain their behavior and ecology as you watch them move through the forest canopy from the raised bridge.

Can I walk freely through the spice farms, or is it a demonstration?

You walk through the working spice farms at Tangawizi Dole Village with your guide, who points out the plants and explains how they're grown and harvested. It's an active visit, not a stationary demonstration.

How much time do I spend at each stop?

The itinerary allocates the bulk of the eight-hour day to Jozani Forest and the mangrove bridge, where you can spend time observing the wildlife. The spice farms and Stone Town's historical sites follow, with the guide pacing the stops so you see each one without feeling rushed.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, so you'll want to plan a meal either before the tour starts or during the Stone Town portion of the day.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. The route involves walking through the forest and around the spice farms, but the pace is set by the guide and there are no steep climbs.