Explore Zanzibar Butterfly Center: Do you want to experience what it’s like to be surrounded by hundreds of butterflies in a room while only seeing a small portion of the untamed African landscape? To learn more about this fairytale location, keep reading this article.
This center, which guards a variety of butterflies’ native to Zanzibar, is a sizable tropical garden with net walls and a roof. Visit the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre (ZBC), located in the center of the island near the Jozani Forest, to learn more about the endemic species of Zanzibar’s butterflies. Both adults and kids will enjoy the dynamic and visually appealing setting.
You are welcome to participate in the feeding ceremony and, if you choose, let the butterflies land on your hand. The Center’s three main initiatives are educational tours, butterfly farming, and conservation. In collaboration with about 40 farmers from the nearby village of Pete, butterfly farming is carried out. Farmers can diversify their sources of income through farming, which is especially suited to women because they can easily include household and childcare responsibilities into their work.
Many of them used to clear the forest for agriculture and charcoal production, which resulted in habitat degradation and the extinction of numerous species. Since butterflies can only breed and rear in intact forests, people are beginning to understand the significance and reward of protecting such environments.
The Zanzibar Butterfly Centre protects several butterfly species as well as the wild population in and surrounding Pete, despite the fact that it does not declare itself to be the general solution for the cessation of wood logging and charcoal manufacturing. The butterfly’s many life cycle stages are visible, including some lovely cocoons. Proceeds go toward community and environmental programs in the area. It is situated 2 kilometers west of the entrance to the well-signposted Jozani-Chwaka National Park on the main route between Zanzibar Town and Paje, close to the Pete village.
ZANZIBAR BUTTERFLY CENTRE TOUR
The 30- to 40-minute guided tours teach visitors all about the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle, let them observe numerous exhibits in flight, and help them comprehend the value of protecting tropical forests. The entrance fees directly fund farmer training, microloans to start their businesses, and investments in alternative timber logging, such as the quick-growing casuarina tree. The Center also collaborates with a number of local non-profit organizations and has funded numerous water tanks and wells.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BOOKING A ZANZIBAR BUTTERFLY CENTRE TOUR
The following can help you determine if this activity is right for you since these are the things to anticipate if you visit the Butterfly Center.
- A lot of butterflies will be flitting around. If you are frightened of bugs or being in a small area where creatures can fly around, you might want to think twice before participating in an activity at the Butterfly Center.
- Reptiles will exist. Despite the fact that they are tiny and adorable, I must inform you.
- The tour isn’t very long. It depends on your level of interest in butterflies and how many questions you have for your tour guide, but if you want to better manage your time and finances, I recommend combining a trip to the Butterfly Center with other excursions. One kilometer distant, for instance, lies Jozani Forest.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON A ZANZIBAR BUTTERFLY CENTRE TOUR?
You will purchase a ticket, and the story will start when your tour leader welcomes you at the reception. You will encounter all the Zanzibar butterflies nearby and hear a lot about how a butterfly comes to be. Now is the moment to ask any questions you have prepared or about which you have a query. It’s a succinct overview of a butterfly’s life.
After that, a path lined with banana leaves will take you to a room filled with butterflies. Although it is surrounded by nature, it is enclosed by a net to prevent butterflies from escaping. Your tour guide will lead you through the space while pointing out different types of butterflies and sharing amusing anecdotes that you won’t find anywhere else. If your tour leader permits it, you can handle a butterfly and be shown how to do it properly.
He will show you a small garden with trees after you complete the butterfly room. I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first and was a little perplexed, but little did I realize that chameleons were hidden high in the treetops. They are hard to spot since they are good at hiding, but if you are persistent and quiet enough, you will see at least one of them peeping through the leaves.
PROS AND CONS OF ZANZIBAR BUTTERFLY CENTRE TOUR
Pros
- Every staff member is concerned about butterflies and is being very gentle with them.
- Every member of the staff is English-speaking!
- You will be surrounded by lush African vegetation, inhaling pure air, and taking in the calming sounds of various animals.
- Your tour guide would be pleased to answer any questions you may have regarding butterflies.
- The employees are really polite.
- There will be several butterflies all around you.
- You can use a camera. Not everyone can have a picture like that!
- It is quite inexpensive to enter, and by doing so, you help to promote butterfly conservation.
Cons
- As there isn’t a restaurant there, you might want to bring some snacks or drinks. If you feel tired or hungry, there is a wooden hut where you can relax and eat. Near Jozani Forest, there is a restaurant.
- It’s a very adorable but brief tour, as I already mentioned. It might be wise to combine this tour with additional excursions such as Spice tour Stone town tour, prison island tour
- Perhaps you ought to look at other locations if you anticipate seeing lots of animals. There are no other animals here but chameleons and butterflies.
ALTERNATIVES
Are you looking for a location with more wildlife or sights to see? Do you have the want to learn more? Here are a few substitutes you might find interesting:
- Zanzibar Park
Zanzibar Park in Stone Town is the place to go if you want to mix having fun in the water with getting to know numerous exotic animals, some of which you can even ride. They provide every service! From the swimming pool to the kid-friendly playground to seeing zebras and camels, everything is here! And it’s quite inexpensive! And if you become hungry, there are lots of restaurants around with food.
- Cheetah’s Rock
I would unquestionably advise you to visit Cheetah’s Rock if you have any extra cash. The animals there are all first and foremost saved. Second, they provide free transportation! Being able to engage directly with so many wild animals will give you a special experience. The only thing you should keep in mind is that youngsters under the age of 15 are not permitted entry.
- Baraka aquarium
You’ve come to the right place if you want to swim with turtles and feed them seaweed. A natural lagoon surrounded by the great outdoors. There are no long lines, and it is reasonably priced. I can assure you that your photos will be fantastic!
- Jozani Forest
It is a special area in Zanzibar and is near the Butterfly Center. Choose Jozani Forest if you want to get close to a red monkey and have never seen one before. You will get to know the wildlife of these incredible creatures and their amusing personalities, Explore Zanzibar Butterfly Center
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT ZANZIBAR BUTTERFLY CENTRE TOUR
Price
- International visitors: 6$ / 12 000 Tsh
- Children above 4 yrs.: 3$ / 6000 Tsh
Tanzanian Residents:
- Adults-8000 Tsh
- Students-3000 Tsh
- Children above 4 yrs.- 4000 Tsh
Tanzania/Zanzibar Nationals:
- Adults- 2000 Tsh
- Students-500 TSH
- Children-free
If you plan a group visit, there is the possibility of a discount.
OPENING TIMES
- 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The experience lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours.
The best time to visit is early in the day, between 9 and 11 AM, when butterflies are not as busy, allowing you to examine them more closely or even hold them. Butterfly Center does not provide transportation, but we are pleased to assist you with setting it up, Explore Zanzibar Butterfly Center
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE ZANZIBAR BUTTERFLY CENTRE TOUR
There is not much to bring either, but I would suggest bringing
- Some food and water
- Anti-insect repellent
- A good camera
- Comfortable shoes
- Questions for tour guides!
Conclusion: Many native Zanzibar butterfly species are protected by the Butterfly Center. Given this, they have a lot of expenses. Butterfly Center is a good choice if you happen to have some additional cash to spare, Explore Zanzibar Butterfly Center
