Prison Island & Jozani Forest Day Tour 2026–2027

This full-day tour combines Zanzibar's two main wildlife visits in one unhurried itinerary that suits nature lovers, families and photographers. The morning is spent on Prison Island, officially Changuu, a short dhow ride from Stone Town. Its Aldabra giant tortoises are among the largest land tortoises in the world, and some are over 100 years old. You walk among them, feed them leaves, and hear about the island's history: built as a prison in the 1890s, it was used as a quarantine station instead. It is one of our four Zanzibar day tours.

The afternoon is spent in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar's only national park and the best place to see the Zanzibar red colobus, an endangered monkey found only on Unguja. Your guide leads you along the forest trail, where the monkeys often feed close to the path, then onto a boardwalk through tidal mangrove forest, a habitat quite different from the island's beaches. Sightings depend on where the troops are feeding on the day.

Lunch is at a local restaurant between the two sites, and you are back at your hotel in the mid to late afternoon. Timings can vary with tides, traffic and how long you spend at each stop.

Prison Island is a small island about 15–20 minutes by dhow from Stone Town, best known for its giant tortoises. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is a protected forest in the south-east of Unguja and the main home of the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkey. A little background makes both visits more rewarding.

Prison Island (Changuu): From Prison to Tortoise Sanctuary

In the 1890s the British administration built a prison on Changuu Island, but it never held prisoners. Instead it became a quarantine station for travellers suspected of carrying yellow fever, and the ruins of those buildings can still be seen. The Aldabra giant tortoises arrived in 1919 as a gift from the Seychelles, and today a sanctuary on the island protects several dozen of them, some more than 100 years old.

The island also has a small beach, clear water for snorkelling and good views back towards Stone Town, so many visitors combine the sanctuary with a short swim.

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park was established in 2004 and protects around 50 km² of forest, mangroves and coastal habitat. It is Zanzibar's only national park. Besides the red colobus, it is home to Sykes's monkeys, bush babies, Ader's duikers and many birds and butterflies, although most of these are shy and harder to see.

The Zanzibar Red Colobus

The Zanzibar red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii) is found only on Unguja and is classed as Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 6,000 thought to remain. The troops near Jozani's trails are used to people, which is why visitors can usually watch them from a few metres away. They feed mainly on leaves and are known to eat charcoal, which is thought to help them cope with toxins in their diet.

With that background in mind, the next step is preparing for the day itself.

Wear light, breathable clothing and comfortable closed shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent and swimwear if you plan to snorkel. The day combines a boat trip, island walking and a forest trail, so pack for sun, water and some mud in the rainy season.

• Comfortable closed shoes or sturdy sandals for the forest trail and boardwalk
• Light clothing that covers shoulders and knees for lunch in Stone Town
• Sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen
• Insect repellent for Jozani Forest
• Swimwear, a small towel and a dry bag if you want to snorkel
• A camera or phone (please don't use flash near the monkeys)
• Some cash in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings for snorkel hire, drinks and tips
• A refillable water bottle (bottled water is provided during the day)

Both sites depend on visitors treating the animals with care. Follow your guide's instructions and these simple rules, which protect the wildlife and keep the encounters relaxed for everyone.

• Feed the tortoises only the leaves provided at the sanctuary, and never sit on, lift or ride them
• Keep a few metres away from the colobus monkeys and never feed or touch them
• Stay on the forest trail and the mangrove boardwalk
• Keep your voice low so the animals are not disturbed
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid standing on coral when snorkelling
• Take all litter away with you

The tour runs year-round. The drier months, June to October and January to February, are usually the most comfortable, with calmer conditions for the boat crossing and firmer forest trails. During the long rains, roughly April and May, the trails can be muddy and the crossing rougher, but the tour normally still operates.

Within the day, the early start is an advantage: Prison Island is cooler in the morning, and the colobus monkeys are active in the forest throughout the day. To combine this tour with beach time, see our Zanzibar beach guide for the best coast to stay on.

Choose this tour if wildlife is your priority. If you would rather combine the tortoises with Stone Town's history, or spend the day on the water, one of our other day tours may suit you better.

Lower prices apply to groups of four or more; the higher figure is for a solo traveller. All four tours include hotel pick-up, a guide and lunch; the land tours are private, and Safari Blue shares its dhow with up to 12 guests. Compare them in more detail on our 1-day Zanzibar tours page.