Although the magical Zanzibar is known as the spice island, this East African gem is equally as well known for its amazing wildlife. Here are some highlights.
Cheetah’s Rock
Cheetah’s Rock is a unique and very special place where individuals are able to interact with animals directly – face to face, eye to eye, fur to skin. They are a legal, ZIPA accredited and CITES recognised rescue and conservation centre.
Get yourself ready yourself for a magical, memorable and remarkable experience. They believe in introducing wildlife in a really different, much closer, interactive and far more personal way. The welfare of the animals on Cheetah’s Rock is paramount.
Suni
The tiny suni antelope were first brought to Mnemba Island from Jozani Forest with the aim of varying and expanding the population of these rare little animals.
Life has been so very good for the suni on Mnemba because here they have no natural predators and they have been breeding twice, as opposed to once, every year. With numbers rising so rapidly, periodical relocations of the species have made sure that there is enough space and food for the suni. Over the past couple of years, more than 250 suni have been moved to 13 sites throughout Zanzibar.
Jozani Forest Reserve
Jozani Forest Reserve is home to the endangered Red Colobus Monkeys which are one of the rarest primates in Africa. These monkeys are indigenous to the island and with conservation efforts they are gradually recovering from the brink of extinction. The mature forests of Jozani are part of the island’s only National Park. Here you can also see hundreds of different butterflies, numerous birds as well as a variety of interesting plants and animals.
Zanzibar Butterfly Centre
The Zanzibar Butterfly Centre (which is located 1km from Jozani Forest Park) is an environmental community project that has taught local people from the community to farm butterflies sustainably.
The project intends to create income for the locals and preserve the local forest through running one of Africa’s largest butterfly sanctuaries, as well as by exporting butterfly pupae. Visitors to the butterfly centre can take part in an interactive tour with one of the experienced guides in the lush, netted gardens where hundreds of butterflies, which all native species to Zanzibar, fly freely. It’s as exciting as playing Australian slots online and just as rewarding too.
Dolphins
Kizimkazi, which is located on the south coast of Zanzibar Island, is a very popular location for going in search of dolphins.
Quite a short boat ride from the village takes you out into the big blue ocean to optimistically see the schools of bottle-nosed or humpback dolphins that are often found in the area.
Towards the northern end of Zanzibar, there is Mnarani Natural Aquarium where Zanzibar’s turtle conservation is located. Built around a natural tidal pool the aquarium not only cares for the injured Hawksbill and Green turtles however also ensures the safety as well as the well-being of hatchlings. It is a community conservation project which focuses on educating locals and fishermen regarding the advantages of protecting these majestic ocean creatures.
