Zanzibar Forest Resources

Zanzibar archipelago is part of the ecoregion dominated by the Nothern Zanzibar-Inhambane forest mosaic covering part of the coastal areas of East Africa. It is a region of rich biodiversity with species ranging from the purely mountainous type to those thriving well under coastal aquatic or marine habitats. Its forest resources contain pockets of tropical rainforest and the rich mangrove forest that surrounds its coastline.

Due to the presence of clove plantations, covering much of north-west of Unguja island and the western, deep soil areas of Pemba island, visitors will hardly believe that the areas with true forests are the protected reserves of Jozani in Unguja island, and Ngezi and Msitu Mkuu in Pemba island. This is not to say that forests in Zanzibar are limited to only few places, but the fact is that shifting cultivation, firewood collection, harvesting of building materials, charcoal and lime making and other uncontrolled businesses have largely depleted the once flourishing natural forests. Most of these deforestation activities are widespread in the fertile, deep soil areas on the western side of Unguja and Pemba islands, a factor that explains why remnants of true forests in Zanzibar are all found on the coral rag zone or on areas left behind during the establishment of coconut and clove plantations.

Major Forest Types

Natural forests of Zanzibar consist of a mosaic of vegetations ranging from short coral bushes and thickets to higher, closed forests. Like many tropical forests, closed forests of Zanzibar have a bottom layer of herbaceous species, a network of climbers and the upper layer of perennial species. Besides the economically important hardwood species and bushes, the beauty of Zanzibar’s natural forest could be seen in a variety of palm species such as Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Areca catechu (Mpopoo), Elaeis guneensis (Mchikichi), Raffia palm or Raphia farinifera (Muwale), Phoenix reclinata (Ukindu), and many more. There are also many species of medicinal significance, some with ornamental value, and others available for a multitude of uses.

In general, dominant exotic species in Zanzibar include pines or conifers such as Pinus patula (Misonobari ), various species of Eucalyptus or Mikaratusi (e.g. E. zanzibarica and E. modernii, Casuarina equisetofolia (Mvinje), Acacia ingusetefolia, Terminalia catapa (Mkungu), Terminalia everensis (Mkungu wa Kihindi ), Teak or Msaji (Tectona grandis), and Callophyllum inophyllum (Mtondoo). These tree species have been planted in most forests as well as in different places in Zanzibar such as along the roads and surrounding other building complexes. For example, Conifers are found on the road from Mnazi Mmoja Hospital to Kilimani in Zanzibar.

Forest Reserves

Zanzibar has two main forest reserves:

• Jozani Forest Reserve – located about 35 km south of Zanzibar town in the island of Unguja, Jozani is the largest forest reserve in Zanzibar.
• Ngezi Forest Reserve – found in the north-western tip of Pemba island. It is known for its endemism.

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Forest Stands

Apart from the forest reserves, isolated pockets of natural and established forest stands are found in the following locations:

• Masingini – is an area few kilometres north-east of Zanzibar town, which is maintained by the forest subcommission. Masingini and the adjoining Mwanyanya have both natural and established forests. A nursery located at Mwanyanya is instrumental in afforestation activities in Zanzibar.
• Kichwele – located in northern part of Unguja island is popular for its rubber plantation (about 600 ha) but the neighbouring areas of Pangeni have a good stand of natural forest.
• Kiwengwa – north-east of Unguja island has only recently been recognized as an area in need of a well-planned conservation scheme. Kiwengwa harbours a good stand of natural forest.
• Msitu Mkuu – is a small dry, coral forest close to Micheweni. One can get a glimpse of this forest while driving northwards from Wingwi as it is bordered to the east by the villages of Mjini Wingwi and Chupwe and to the west by the main road from Wingwi to Micheweni.
• Ras Kiuyu – the natural forest at Ras Kiuyu on the north-eastern tip of Pemba Island is perhaps one of the least disturbed areas in Zanzibar. The beauty of Ras Kiuyu forest could be seen more clearly towards the far east when it opens up to the crystalline sandy beaches that have escaped human exploitation.
• Jambangome – located on the mouth of a natural seaport not far from Mtambile, it was once an important landing point for the incoming vessels that sought to get a stake in the booming business activities of the 18th century. Its forest stand is the only remaining area of natural forest in the deep-soil ecological zone of Pemba, which is not gazetted as a reserve but due to the presence of mangroves, it is highly likely that the whole area falls under the reserved area. Legally, all mangrove forests in Zanzibar are considered to be forest reserves.
• Matumbini – is an island with dense natural and mangrove forest on the southern tip of Pemba island.
• Misali – is regarded as the “jewel of Pemba” due to its spectacular marine life as well as a good stand of natural forest. Its biodiversity and species richness has led to its declaration as a marine reserve.