Visitors interested in learning about butterflies during an East African Holiday can visit the Zanzibar Butterfly Center, home to different species of beautiful and awe-inspiring butterflies especially the ones endemic to Zanzibar. Tours to this Center are perfect for family tours with children, school tours, domestic and foreign tourists. Hundreds of butterflies are drawn to Zanzibar Island because of its beautiful Tropical climate as well as lush vegetation including beautiful flowers, and the perfect place to see them is this amazing Butterfly Center.
Zanzibar Butterfly Center is set within the heart of Unguja Island, a stone throw away from Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park. Characterized by a vast lush Tropical Garden marked by net walls as well as roof. Touring the area introduces visitors to the different life cycle stages of several butterfly species that also include a number of irresistible cocoons. Some of the must-see species of butterflies here are the forest grass yellow, African giant swallowtail, green banded swallowtail, Citrus swallowtail, Eastern white lady swordtail and African monarch butterfly among others.
Location of the Zanzibar Butterfly Center.
The beautiful Butterfly Center of Zanzibar is set near the main road, on the way to Paje, close to Pete Village. At about 1.2 miles west of the entrance of well-signposted Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, you will be ushered to this Butterfly Center.
Riveting activities conducted at the Zanzibar Butterfly Center.
Guided butterfly tours.
Guided butterfly tours are definitely the main tourist activity at the Zanzibar Butterfly Center and normally take between 30 and 40 minutes although the time can be tailor-made to suit each individual visitor’s needs. Get a chance to check-out the World of these creatures in Zanzibar as you discover their different stages-small eggs, hungry caterpillars gnawing away at the leaves and the beautiful process of changing from Larvae (caterpillars) to adult butterflies.
Farmer’s Tours.
Besides the guided butterfly tours, visitors can also take part in Farmer’s tours to interact with the local butterfly farmers in addition to observing and admiring the complexity of their handcraft. Profits from both butterfly and farmer tours are put back into community development through supporting farming training, provision of micro-loans to set up their businesses and growing other alternative tree species to reduce deforestation. With revenue from these activities, the Zanzibar Butterfly Center has also funded a number of water tanks, wells and also works hand in hand with several charity organizations within the area.
Up to 40 farmers from Pete Village are registered to take part in butterfly farming and this helps in the diversification of their income. The activity is mainly conducted by women because they can easily undertake the activities concurrently with their house chores and child care activities.
Best time to visit the Zanzibar Butterfly Center.
Tours to the Zanzibar Butterfly Center are conducted all year round and morning as well as afternoon hours are the perfect for exploring the area. The months of May to July as well as December to January attracts most Lepidopterists.
Best places to stay while exploring Zanzibar Butterfly Center.
Some of the magnificent places visitors can stay while exploring the Zanzibar Butterfly Center, include B4 Beach Club, Shanuo Beach Bungalows, Jambiani Beach Villas, Fun Beach Hotel, Mwezi Boutique Resort, Konokono Beach Resort, Amani Boutique Hotel, Whitesands Luxury Villas, Karafuu Hotel and Zawadi, among others.
How to reach the Zanzibar Butterfly Center?
Zanzibar Butterfly Center is found between Zanzibar Town and Paje village, approximately 21 miles from the main Airport in Zanzibar. It takes only 50 minutes to drive from the Airport to this Center.
