The Ngezi Forest Reserve, situated in the Micheweni District of the North Region of Pemba Island, which is the second-largest island of Zanzibar islands, spans an expansive area of 3,600 acres. The reserve is predominantly characterized by primary forest cover. Established in 1959, it stands as the second-largest forest reserve in Zanzibar Island, after Jozani Forest.

The Ngezi Forest Reserve is home to a variety of rare species, including the endemic Pemba flying fox. Although this species faced near-extinction in recent years, a successful protection program has contributed to a significant population rebound, with an estimated 20,000 individuals.

The forest also hosts primates, such as an endemic subspecies of vervet monkey and the Zanzibar red colobus, a species introduced to the reserve in the 1970s. Additionally, the reserve is inhabited by other notable species like Pemba Flying Fox, the blue duiker and the Pemba scops owl.

Who are the Pemba Flying Fox?

The Pemba flying fox, scientifically known as Pteropus voeltzkowi, is a distinctive species of flying fox belonging to the Pteropodidae family. occurs only on Pemba Island in Zanzibar, this species is characterized by a huge wingspan reaching up to 1.6 meters (5 ft 3 in), making it one of the largest among fruit bats. With a fox-like facial appearance, these bats exhibit tawny fur, orange underparts, and distinctive black ears, nose, and wings.

Other animals in Ngezi Forest

The vervet monkey

The vervet monkey, also you can just call them vervet, belongs to the Old World monkey family Cercopithecidae and is indigenous to Africa. These are the herbivorous primates, they have black faces and gray body hair, with females measuring around 40 cm (16 in) in body length and males about 50 cm (20 in). Spotting them is a common occurrence while strolling through Ngezi forest.

Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey

Piliocolobus kirkii, commonly referred to as the red colobus monkey, is a species exclusively native to Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. The primary habitat for these monkeys is the Jozani Forest, although they can also be observed in smaller forests such as Masingini and Bumbwini.

The blue duiker 

Blue Duiker, also known as Paa by the locals, is a small antelope species found in central, southern and eastern Africa. It is the smallest species of duiker in the world. They have short, spiky horns, around and hidden in hair tufts. Not only in Ngezi forest, also they can be found in many forests in Zanzibar.