Joanna James
During your visit to Zanzibar, you will have the opportunity to visit several wildlife reserves such as Ngezi Forest Reserve, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and Zanzibar Butterfly Centre; many unusual varieties of wildlife can be spotted at these reserves making them ideal to explore.
You will find Ngezi Forest Reserve in the north-western area of Pemba Island; this reserve was established in 1950 following the clearing of much of the local land for clove farming. Animal lovers would be enthralled by the selection of wildlife to be seen at this sanctuary. These include the Pemba vervet monkey, Pemba flying fox, hyrax, Zanzibar red colobus monkey, Javan civet cat, Pemba blue duiker and so on. Various kinds of birds including the palm nut vulture, African goshawk, malachite kingfisher and scops owl could also be spotted here.
The Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park happens to be the only national park to be found in Zanzibar. This nature reserve features several wildlife habitats including a coastal forest, groundwater forest and grasslands. This national park is well-known for its population of Zanzibar red colobus monkeys which are regarded as a threatened species. Another prominent species at this site is the Aders’s duiker which one may spot during an adventure here. An accommodation choice to consider from which you could easily visit this national park and experience exotic Zanzibar wildlife would be the appealingly located The Residence Zanzibar.
A rather different kind of reserve is the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre which is sure to captivate anyone with an interest in these beautiful yet fragile creatures. At this site, which is near the previously mentioned national park, is a mesmerizing selection of butterflies that are sure to amaze and delight the visitor. You would also have the opportunity to learn a great deal about these lovely creatures including the life stages that they go through. One may additionally join the informative guided tours provided here to gain more in-depth insights.
The interesting ZALA Park is another magnet for wildlife enthusiasts that you will find in Zanzibar. Interestingly, this park was established as an initiative to make it possible for the people of Zanzibar to experience and appreciate the local wildlife. Accordingly, the funds generated by tourist visits to this site are channelled towards this initiative. Apart from flora, various kinds of fauna could be spotted at this noteworthy nature reserve including tortoises, dik-diks, chameleons, various snakes and more.
Another outstanding wildlife sanctuary in Zanzibar is the absorbing Kiwengwa-Pongwe Forest Reserve which happens to be situated on the north-eastern coast of the island of Unguja. This reserve may be regarded as a significant hotspot for biodiversity, with a rich collection of flora and fauna. Here, you will have the opportunity to spot creatures like the Aders’s duiker, red colobus monkeys, antelope, blue monkeys, snakes and so on.
Zanzibar also features several marine parks and a prominent one is the Mnemba Marine Park which you will find at the northeastern extremity of Unguja Island. You would find that a portion of this park known as the ‘house reef’ has been identified as a special ‘no touch’ area to promote the regrowth of corals. Various kinds of aquatic species can be seen within this park on snorkelling or diving escapades from lionfish and green turtles to white-tip reef sharks, stingrays and more.
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