At Mountains 2 Marshes Expeditions, we invite you to experience one of Zanzibar’s most captivating excursions   the Jozani Forest and Spice Island Farm Tour. This immersive day trip brings together the island’s lush natural beauty, exotic wildlife, and rich cultural heritage in a single unforgettable adventure. Located in the central and southern regions of Unguja Island, this combination tour reveals the heart of Zanzibar’s biodiversity and agricultural legacy.

Explore the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, home to the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, before continuing to the island’s famous Spice Farms, where cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon grow in abundance. Whether you are a nature lover, culture enthusiast, or history explorer, this full-day experience is the perfect way to discover why Zanzibar is known as The Spice Island.

Jozani Forest Overview

Situated about 35 kilometers southeast of Stone Town, the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park spans approximately 50 square kilometers and stands as Zanzibar’s only national park. It forms part of a delicate and vital ecosystem made up of swamp forest, mangrove forest, and evergreen thicket home to a remarkable variety of plant and animal life.

The forest’s greatest treasure is the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus kirkii), found nowhere else in the world. Other residents include Sykes’ monkeys, bush babies, duikers, and more than 40 bird and butterfly species. Guided forest walks, led by expert park rangers, follow maintained trails that allow visitors to explore safely while learning about the park’s conservation programs and ecological importance.

What to Expect During the Jozani Forest Tour

The Jozani Forest tour typically begins early in the morning and lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours. Visitors are welcomed by a licensed guide who introduces the forest’s ecosystem and its conservation story. As you walk through the forest canopy, you may see red colobus monkeys leaping between the trees or posing curiously for photographs.

The trail leads through lush vegetation and extends to a scenic mangrove boardwalk, where visitors can observe the unique root systems that protect Zanzibar’s fragile coastline. Throughout the walk, guides explain the delicate balance between the local communities and the environment, demonstrating how sustainable tourism supports both people and wildlife.

Spice Island Farm Tour Overview

After exploring the forest, the adventure continues to one of Zanzibar’s renowned Spice Farms, mainly located around Kizimbani or Kidichi villages in the island’s central region. This interactive tour, lasting 2 to 3 hours, immerses visitors in the sights, scents, and tastes that have made Zanzibar a legendary name in the global spice trade.

Guided by local farmers, guests walk through aromatic plantations of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, vanilla, turmeric, and black pepper, among others. Learn how each spice is cultivated, harvested, and used in traditional Swahili cooking and medicine. The tour also offers insight into how spice farming has shaped Zanzibar’s economy and identity for centuries.

What to Expect During the Spice Tour

The Spice Tour is a multi-sensory experience that engages sight, smell, and taste. Guides encourage visitors to crush leaves, smell bark, or taste raw spices, challenging them to guess each one before revealing its identity. Along the way, you may also sample a variety of tropical fruits such as pineapples, starfruit, mangoes, and jackfruit.

The tour often concludes with an opportunity to purchase organic spices, herbal teas, and natural oils directly from the farmers, supporting local livelihoods. Some farms also offer a traditional Swahili-style lunch, rich in fresh spices, giving guests a truly authentic culinary experience.

Suggested Itinerary

A full-day tour typically runs for 6 to 7 hours and can be adjusted based on your location and pace.

Sample Schedule:

• 08:00 AM: Depart from hotel (Stone Town, Nungwi, or Paje).
• 09:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Guided walk through Jozani Forest and mangrove boardwalk.
• 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Drive to Spice Farm area.
• 12:00 PM – 02:30 PM: Spice Tour and traditional Swahili lunch.
• 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Return transfer to hotel.

What to Bring

To make your tour comfortable and enjoyable, Mountains 2 Marshes Expeditions recommends:

• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals.
• Light, breathable clothing suited for tropical weather.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• A reusable water bottle for hydration.
• Hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
• A camera or smartphone (avoid flash near animals).

Travel Etiquette and Safety Tips

Do:

• Follow your guide’s instructions throughout the tour.
• Keep a respectful distance from wildlife, especially monkeys.
• Support local communities by purchasing products directly from farmers.
• Ask questions and engage with your guides they love to share their knowledge.

Avoid:

• Feeding or touching wild animals.
• Straying off marked trails in the forest.
• Using flash photography near animals.
• Picking plants or spices without permission.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to explore Jozani Forest and the Spice Farms is during the dry seasons (June–October and December–February), when walking trails are firm and the air is less humid. However, tours operate year-round, and the green season (March–May) often brings lush vegetation and vibrant colors, perfect for photography enthusiasts.

Conservation and Cultural Significance

Both Jozani Forest and Zanzibar’s Spice Farms are integral to the island’s natural and cultural identity. Jozani Forest forms part of the UNESCO-recognized Jozani-Chwaka Bay Biosphere Reserve, a model for eco-tourism and biodiversity protection. The Spice Farms, meanwhile, preserve Zanzibar’s historic role as a hub of global trade while sustaining local communities through eco-friendly farming.

By joining this tour, visitors contribute directly to conservation efforts and community empowerment, making their experience both meaningful and sustainable.

Why Choose Mountains 2 Marshes Expeditions

Mountains 2 Marshes Expeditions offers expertly guided tours designed to showcase the best of Zanzibar’s natural and cultural heritage. Our team ensures every moment of your journey is educational, safe, and memorable from the red colobus monkeys of Jozani Forest to the aromatic scents of the Spice Island farms.

We believe that responsible travel connects people to places in lasting ways. With Mountains 2 Marshes Expeditions, your Zanzibar adventure becomes more than a day trip it becomes a story of discovery, learning, and connection with one of Africa’s most enchanting islands.