Review: Prison Island, Jozani Forest & Sea Turtle Sanctuary

Zanzibar, oh, it’s really quite something, right? It’s not just beaches and relaxation – no, it’s so much more. A day trip checking out Prison Island, Jozani Forest, and the Sea Turtle Sanctuary? Sounds like a pretty cool change of pace, basically. I mean, you see all the brochures with those picture-perfect scenes, but what is it really like? Well, let me just tell you all about it, right from my own experience.

Prison Island: More Than Just a Pretty Rock, Apparently

So, first stop, Prison Island. Fun fact, too it’s sometimes called Changuu Island. It’s really not what you think, I mean, it wasn’t ever actually used as a prison, just almost, and that is sort of a strange turn of events, almost. The British planned to use it for convicts way back in the 1860s, that is, but the plan never went through, is that right? Instead, well, instead it became a quarantine station, yet that is sort of a twist, and after that it has remained pretty much a tourist attraction.

Getting to the island is usually pretty easy. Like your regular dhow or motorboat, usually from Stone Town, almost. It’s honestly a very short boat trip, like maybe a half hour-ish, so too it’s good if you are someone who isn’t really a fan of being on the water for long periods, apparently. Once you land, you’re immediately greeted by the island’s main residents: like those enormous Aldabra giant tortoises.

Oh my gosh, too it’s quite a sight, they can be! They are truly huge and super old. Some of those tortoises? They’re, like, over a hundred years old! You’re often allowed to get pretty close, and maybe even touch them, carefully, is that safe?. Just imagine, really touching an animal that has possibly been around since your great-grandparents were born! You may feed them vegetation you can find scattered on the island.

Apart from the tortoises, so, you know, there’s this old prison structure to wander around, but in some respects, don’t expect too much, could be. It’s kind of ruined, kind of historical looking and just standing there. Gives you kind of a strange, historical feeling, too it’s more of an area for those iconic pictures, I guess, instead. Snorkeling is actually reasonably popular around the island, but the quality of the reefs may be dependent on the time of year and the recent weather. Ask local providers to be certain you know where you can and cannot venture.

What you might love, in some respects: Getting up close to the giant tortoises, arguably. What might not be so great, as I was saying: The crowds, maybe, or like the limited shade in certain areas of the island, just a little. Honestly, when visiting, I would recommend you bring sunscreen, plus a hat, clearly.

Jozani Forest: Seeing Zanzibar’s Wild Side, Definitely

So, moving on, in some respects, there’s Jozani Forest, definitely a really different type of environment, literally. It is that contrast of like sandy beaches and that super lush greenery that really does create Zanzibar very special, so it’s special!. Jozani Forest happens to be home, too it’s almost where you will discover the famous Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, you know, just a bit. They’re pretty rare and that is something to cherish, seemingly; in fact, they’re only found on Zanzibar.

Walking around the forest could be a treat, anyway. A guide tends to lead you around, and honestly, this is valuable, almost. They can tell you lots about, basically, the different plants, that is, the animals, and that means the ecosystem that makes Jozani so different, might be. These guides really understand what’s what and it makes your time very much more engaging.

The red colobus monkeys are, naturally, the star attraction, right. They’re like very habituated to people, meaning that you are able to get really quite close. You might watch them playing, feeding, just lounging in the trees. I would recommend you take your cameras, seemingly! The lighting in the forest can kind of be tricky, too it’s almost a mix of light and shadow, just a little, so just experiment a bit with your settings.

Apart from the monkeys, anyway, the forest, as I was saying, has a mangrove boardwalk, definitely. This boardwalk, too it’s almost, takes you through a mangrove swamp, tends to be. The mangrove environment, right, it is quite distinctive and that boardwalk really lets you see a very different part of Zanzibar’s ecology, is that correct?

What you might love: Witnessing, too it’s almost observing those playful red colobus monkeys in their home, typically. What might not be so great: the number of tourists, as a matter of fact, particularly, right in the middle of the day, alright. Maybe try and get there somewhat earlier, naturally, so you miss some of the bigger crowds, right, basically.

Sea Turtle Sanctuary: Healing and Hope, Seemingly

And next, that’s the Sea Turtle Sanctuary. Different sanctuaries are scattered all across Zanzibar, that is, with each one focused on helping sea turtles at different stages of their lives, right from rescuing injured adults, or perhaps, you might see protecting eggs to raising hatchlings until they are bigger and stand more of a chance when released, too it’s very likely, now. I checked out the one near Nungwi, but too it’s really worth checking which one your trip includes and just finding out what exactly they are involved in, honestly.

The sanctuaries may often work, very, alongside local communities and that can boost support for conservation, arguably. The people who care for the turtles may tend to be passionate about these wonderful creatures, is that right?, It’s pretty nice seeing the levels of care they use in protecting them, basically. You have the opportunity to get insight on these turtles, how the area is caring for them, so there’s almost this real understanding of that conservation that makes your visit important.

I think most of all, as I was saying, a trip such as this may well not be a slick experience, just. The setups might just be straightforward and this is something that can really add to that sense of like something meaningful is getting achieved, typically. These sanctuaries usually exist because they’re really needed, literally.

What you might love: like seeing the good work these places happen to do in protecting marine life, often. What might not be so great: in some respects, expect smaller setups with fewer fancy tourist-aimed things, literally.

Making the Most of Your Trip: Things to Keep in Mind, too

A few tips may help you, should be. These tours could run all day, so, in some respects, consider it like you’ll leave Stone Town or maybe your resort reasonably early and probably be back later in the afternoon, right. Dress in a manner that suits several places; that means that comfy walking shoes are needed. Also, respectfully clothing might not go amiss. This happens to be something more appropriate just in case you visit a local community or religious site during your journeys.

Money talks, literally. A handful of places will just take cards, so keep some Tanzanian shillings (TZS) for smaller stalls, arguably entrance fees or even if you just would prefer to buy some crafts, that is. Haggle respectfully, that, so to get that better deal and keep everything nice, typically.

Consider what happens to be included when you are checking out tours. Lunch might tend to be included with certain tours, if it is, it may possibly tend to be a standard buffet style setup, basically. Should it not be provided, then that may mean a break to look for somewhere, if it suits you and is applicable of course, for instance. Also, have a look at transport; make certain the vehicle seems comfy, or even, has air con! When it comes to hotter times in Zanzibar then this may well prove a godsend, or even just see if bottled water is provided, literally.

The best time to check out Zanzibar is often in their cooler months right from June through to October or maybe December to February, if applicable, anyway. The hotter spells might tend to be tougher on tours such as this, usually, mostly those trips when you may possibly not have plenty of shade to get beneath while strolling.

Worth It?, Certainly

So, honestly, is checking out Prison Island, Jozani Forest, and a sea turtle sanctuary worth it?, Literally? It might often depend upon you, I guess. Like you, should you be searching for something beyond that beach resort, too it’s almost just to get a taste, well, it may well be great, seemingly. I saw cool wildlife. I did something educational, just, and so, too, supported the environment, honestly. Can’t argue with it really.

• Prison Island: Those Giant tortoises tend to be a sight you’ll remember.
• Jozani Forest: Getting pretty close to see those Red Colobus monkeys may be cool, typically.
• Sea Turtle Sanctuaries: Observing good conservation in practice can add heart, naturally.

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