Zanzibar Tour Review: Mnemba Dolphins, Jozani Forest & Stone Town

Thinking of visiting Zanzibar and want to see everything it offers in one go? Then you could be considering the ‘Zanzibar Mnemba Dolphin Tour, Jozani Forest, and Stone Town’ package. You’ll find this excursion, you see, it tends to be sold all over the island, promising an amazing peek into Zanzibar’s aquatic wildlife, protected forests, and its historical heart. This review, though, is all set to provide you with a fair look at this tour, with what you could perhaps expect, a bit about what you might encounter, and some insights, so that, you know, you could decide if it aligns with what you’re seeking on your vacation.

Swimming with Dolphins at Mnemba Atoll

First up, very early in the morning—think sunrise early— the tour usually kicks off, and it usually takes you to Mnemba Atoll. Mnemba Atoll, by the way, it’s like a little island surrounded by a reef, off Zanzibar’s northeast coast. So the main attraction, as a matter of fact, the possibility of swimming alongside dolphins in their natural environment. Seems amazing, really? And, that too, when you read about it, of course. What happens in reality, really, can, as a matter of fact, depend. A fleet of boats, as I was saying, often converges on the area where the dolphins hang out. Then, once spotted, all of a sudden it turns into a bit of a dash for people to get in the water to try to spot them, maybe even get a snapshot or two.

That said, it could be crowded. A whole lot, actually. Sometimes the sheer volume of people, in a way, it can affect the experience and, indeed, even potentially disturb the dolphins, honestly. If spotting these aquatic mammals is your number one priority, arguably, think about private tours, actually. A private tour might just, possibly, get you a little farther away from other tourists. It could also give you more time and the ability to, well, try to behave ethically around the wildlife, or perhaps, honestly, a dedicated dolphin-watching trip. Tours from the south of Zanzibar tend to encounter fewer boats and therefore a slightly more peaceful encounter.

Exploring Jozani Forest

Next on the tour, next, that, too, could just be as magical, that’s Jozani Forest, which is sort of a conservation area that’s home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, which, in fact, are quite rare. Now, in marked contrast with the open ocean, so you’ll find this cool, kind of shaded environment that just seems totally different. What is more, a guide leads you along forest paths. So, they’ll fill you in on, for instance, information about the local flora and the habits of the colobus monkeys.

That said, what makes this trip worthwhile? Surely, seeing the red colobus monkeys. They are amazingly habituated to humans. To be sure, you might even find they get close. And it does give some nice photo opportunities, to be sure. Depending on your viewpoint, and for comparison, some people might find the reserve is too touristy. Anyway, it could be somewhat manufactured with how used the animals are to crowds. This, anyway, still offers a fairly unique chance to view these unique primates. Keep your eyes out for the Sykes monkeys that, too, hang around the forest.

Discovering Stone Town

And the day rounds off in Stone Town, actually the ancient cultural heart of Zanzibar. Very different again, you’ll find, to the natural settings of the rest of the trip, or basically any beach resort, you might say, you will find yourself here, so there are streets everywhere. A local guide can take you round this UNESCO World Heritage site. I mean, honestly, you get taken down small twisting alleyways. Then, actually, you get to view old buildings that, just, they tell stories about Zanzibar’s varied past. Things like the slave trade, the spice trade, and the different cultures that have formed the island are pointed out.

Of course, very probably, it involves visits to places such as the House of Wonders, or maybe the Old Fort, as a matter of fact, maybe even a peek at the local markets where, by the way, you might find colorful fabrics, aromatic spices, and crafts that are locally created. The time in Stone Town is usually something of a whirlwind tour, clearly; what is more, that means the chance to fully appreciate the historical setting tends to be short. Be mindful too, I’m just saying, you might be approached a whole lot by vendors. Now you can explore by yourself. Also it gives more independence. In reality though it does depend on you. It also depends, too, I suggest, if you’d be comfortable solo around such an urban setting. Anyway, make sure that your valuables are stowed out of sight.

What to Expect: Logistics and Practicalities

Almost always, it is that these excursions usually involve transfers. So these go to and from your resort. Furthermore, for a matter of fact, that means quite long days and journeys on potentially bumpy roads, in particular when the hotels, seemingly, are quite a distance from the destinations of the trip. Just for comparison, lunch, I guess I should say, too, may very well be included. Typically the lunch has a kind of local taste. Very rarely it’ll win any culinary awards. Now for clothing you’ll want lightweight clothes. I feel that the clothes you take need to be breathable, comfy shoes, so actually, really, are important, arguably even so important. So also consider covering your shoulders, seemingly especially in Stone Town, it’s a more respectful choice. I mean when visiting religious sites anyway.

Oh and, so actually, very important: sunscreen, also insect repellent are useful to carry in Jozani Forest too. To tell the truth you do want to come ready to haggle to potentially get better deals as you shop in Stone Town too. Do take time, and for instance see how entrance fees are taken care of, how food is actually being dealt with, and for sure actually the specifics for any kit for snorkeling you may want to borrow, oh, and maybe even so, do not leave this trip to the last day, just in case it all goes wrong. In brief, just a little prep can seriously contribute in improving the adventure.

Is This Tour Right for You? Weighing the Pros and Cons

So as a final point it must be said that Zanzibar, to be fair, is an excursion to take. Now with regards to these types of tours it’s pretty simple for what is what and whether you take from it. The potential upside is fairly self-evident that it gives you glimpses, very important too, to different sides of Zanzibar – but just at times that speed does cause a somewhat less fulfilling feel of these places, the dolphins tend not to like this, clearly, they’ll swim elsewhere.

Someone who only likes historical trips it may be less useful to go, clearly, just as is the same for the animals and likewise, what with all the other tourist groups around, it might be that all these places become so similar to others anyway. Actually this makes it no less fun if you aren’t phased. The tour brings an interesting, what I’d suggest is important, overview of Zanzibar to those in fact limited with time in mind.

Key Takeaways

• The Mnemba Dolphin tour could be too busy for proper wildlife observation.
• Jozani Forest gives an unusual, up close opportunity to see red colobus monkeys.
• Stone Town, seemingly historically rich. It might just really feel as though you’re rushing the site
• Know the ins and outs, and be fully ready in mind for long days.
• You should expect a good picture of Zanzibar on these Zanzibar packages, so, really you might want one.