Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park (or just Jozani Forest) is home to one of the cutest monkeys in the world—the Red Colobus. But if you want to see something even cuter, visit them after they give birth to tiny baby monkeys.
These monkeys are extremely social, friendly, and incredibly relaxed. They will follow you in the forest but luckily won't steal your camera.
Some years ago the Red Colobus were in danger of becoming extinct. Thanks to the shelter of the Jozani forest and conservation efforts, there are about 2,000 of them living in the reserve. Also, they can be seen in two other forests on the Zanzibar archipelago and some coastal thickets.
The Red Colobus are tree-dwelling herbivores, and you often can see them eating bark. They feed on shoots, seeds, immature fruit, and young leaves. Very rarely do they consume ripe fruit because their stomach has trouble digesting the sugar.
These monkey groups are usually led by an alpha male. They are small in size and communicate with one another via distinctive sounds. They can often be found playing and grooming during the rest periods between meals. If you visit in January or February, you may have a chance to see newly born Red Colobus infants!
