Ngezi Forest Reserve

Thick canopies stretch across the north-western tip of Pemba Island, where Ngezi Forest Reserve shelters one of Zanzibar’s last remaining indigenous woodlands. Covering 1,440 hectares, the reserve contains towering trees draped in vines, their branches swaying under the weight of vervet monkeys leaping between them. The elusive blue duiker and the endemic Pemba flying fox, once endangered but now flourishing, inhabit the area. The dense foliage gives way to riverine forests and coastal thickets, leading towards the white sands of Vumawimbi Beach, where the forest meets the Indian Ocean. Visitors can explore well-marked trails, encountering rare bird species like the Pemba scops owl and the introduced Zanzibar red colobus. Established in 1959, the reserve serves as a crucial conservation area, preserving the region’s rich biodiversity. Guided walks provide insight into the forest’s ecology, while the cool sea breeze at its edge makes for a refreshing end to the journey.