Jozani Forest, located in the central-eastern part of Unguja Island (Zanzibar), is the largest and most significant remaining area of indigenous forest on the island. Its history is deeply tied to Zanzibar’s environmental, cultural, and ecological heritage.

The forest has existed for thousands of years, serving as a refuge for a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including many endemic species, such as the Zanzibar red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus kirkii) and the Zanzibar suni antelope. For centuries, the forest was used by local communities for traditional purposes such as medicinal plant collection, hunting, and wood gathering, all of which were regulated by customary practices.

In the colonial period (under both the Omani Sultanate and later the British), parts of the forest were logged for timber and cleared for agriculture. However, by the mid-20th century, growing concern over deforestation and biodiversity loss led to the first formal conservation efforts. In 1960, a forest reserve was declared in the area, and over time, the government worked to expand protections.

In 1984, with the help of international conservation partners, the Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Project was launched to preserve biodiversity while promoting community-based tourism and environmental education. This initiative led to the forest’s modern status as a protected area and eventually to the creation of the Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, which was officially designated in 2004—Zanzibar’s first and only national park.

Today, Jozani Forest is a vital ecotourism destination and conservation success story. It is known for its mangrove swamps, groundwater forests, and coral rag zones, and plays a critical role in climate regulation, water conservation, and as a genetic reservoir. The park is also part of Zanzibar’s 2000 UNESCO World Heritage Site listing as a biodiversity buffer for Stone Town.