Zanzibar dolphin tour: Jozani Forest, caves & beaches in one day

Dolphins, forest monkeys and hidden beaches in a single route

A full-day tour of Zanzibar starting with a three-hour dolphin-watching cruise near Matemwe Beach, then moving through Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park to see red colobus monkeys and mangrove swamps. The itinerary includes Kuza Cave with Swahili history artifacts, Paje Beach for swimming and sunset, and finishes at The Rock Restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean. Private transportation and a guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or other languages are included. Lunch is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphins, forest, cave, beach, and restaurant

• Swim with dolphins near Mnemba Island
• Visit Jozani Forest and see Colobus Monkeys
• Explore Mangrove Swamps and Mahogany Forest
• Discover Kuza Cave and local artifacts
• Relax at Paje Beach and watch sunset
• Enjoy views at The Rock Restaurant

The experience

The day opens with a three-hour boat ride from Clearwater near Matemwe Beach, where a guide takes you to spots where bottlenose dolphins are often seen. Swimming with them is possible but not guaranteed: the guide prioritizes the dolphins' safety and natural behavior. From the water you move into Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, where red colobus monkeys live among mahogany trees and mangrove swamps. A walk through the forest shows you both the animals and the marine species the ecosystem supports.

Kuza Cave sits inland as a cultural center, its passages holding local artifacts and a timeline of Swahili history that traces human settlement in East Africa. After the cave, you head to Paje Beach on the east coast: a quiet stretch of white sand with clear water and hills rising behind it. The afternoon there is unscheduled, so you swim, rest or walk as you choose. The day ends at The Rock Restaurant, a structure built into the Indian Ocean itself, where you watch the sunset and see local dhow boats. The restaurant serves seafood, though you arrange and pay for lunch separately.

Hotel pickup is included from any beach hotel in Zanzibar, and the entire route runs nine hours. The guide speaks your choice of language and handles all transportation logistics, so you move between stops without arranging rides or navigating on your own.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Zanzibar beach hotel.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or other languages.
• all fees and taxes.

Information

Lasts 9h, runs every day at 07:00 and 08:00, from US$ 150 per person, with live guides in 6 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

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

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (25 to 70 years) · Senior (71 and older) · Youth (13 to 24 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by mango travel & tours ltd

Is this one for you?Book this if you want five different landscapes and wildlife in one outing (dolphins, forest, cave, and beaches) rather than piecing together separate excursions.

Traveler reviews

4.27★★★★★★★★★★Very good189 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 24 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): 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.

Can I actually swim with the dolphins on this tour?

Swimming with bottlenose dolphins is possible during the three-hour cruise near Matemwe Beach, but there is no guarantee you will encounter them. The guide takes you to spots where they are often seen and does their best to create a good experience, but the dolphins' natural habitat and safety are the priority, so sightings depend on where the animals are that day.

What are the red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest like?

Red colobus monkeys are rare primates that live in the mahogany trees and mangrove swamps of Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park. The forest walk lets you see them in their habitat alongside the marine species the ecosystem supports, and the guide explains their behavior and the forest's role in protecting them.

What happens at Kuza Cave?

Kuza Cave functions as a cultural center where you explore passages holding local artifacts and a timeline of Swahili history. The exhibits trace human settlement in East Africa, so you learn how the region's early inhabitants lived and how the cave fits into that story.

Is lunch included at The Rock Restaurant?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The Rock Restaurant serves seafood and sits in the middle of the Indian Ocean, so you can order and pay for a meal there if you wish, but it is optional and separate from the tour cost.

How does the day end?

The tour finishes at The Rock Restaurant, where you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean and see local dhow boats. The restaurant offers panoramic views and sits in the water itself, so the final hours of the day are spent there before you return to your hotel.