About Zanzibar Butterfly Centre
The Zanzibar Butterfly Centre lies in the iconic Jozani Forest and is a tropical butterfly garden that aims to conserve Zanzibar’s diverse butterfly species. This incredible eco-tourism initiative involves local farmers trained in butterfly farming as a way to promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental awareness.
The perfect destination for families with kids as well as nature lovers, the centre is a must-visit during a Zanzibar trip. Interact with butterflies, see caterpillars nibble at fresh leaves, and watch butterfly eggs and pupae as you learn about butterfly life cycles and behaviours. Enjoy a break in the lap of nature as you admire the beautiful garden full of butterflies with your loved ones.
Zanzibar Butterfly Centre Highlights
• Witness hundreds of butterflies in their natural habitat as you visit East Africa’s largest butterfly enclosure at the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre.
• Spot over 50 species of butterflies, including rare and endangered species like Acherontia atropos, within the netted enclosure.
• Go on a guided tour and learn about butterfly life cycles and behaviours as well as the centre's intense conservation efforts.
• Watch caterpillars feed on green leaves and see tiny butterfly eggs and pupae in different exhibits around the centre.
• Participate in interactive activities where you can feed and let butterflies fly close to your hand during your Zanzibar Butterfly Centre tour.
How To Reach Zanzibar Butterfly Centre
- By Car - Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is about 900 metres from the Pete city centre, a 1-minute ride away.
- By Foot - To reach Zanzibar Butterfly Centre on foot, you can walk from Pete city centre, and reach in around 13 minutes.
Best Time To Visit Zanzibar Butterfly Centre
The vibrant Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is open to visitors all year, so you can plan your excursion at any time.
- Best day of the week: Plan your visit to the centre on weekdays to avoid the heavy weekend crowds.
- Best time of the day: To comfortably explore the centre, visit early, preferably between 10 AM and 2 PM. This is when the butterflies are in their most active phase.
Zanzibar Butterfly Centre Other Essential Information
- Plan your visit between 10 AM and 2 PM as crowds are fewer and the butterflies are the most active in this period.
- The best way to explore the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is to get a guided tour where you can learn about the butterflies in depth.
- Keep at least an hour at hand to comfortably explore the centre and its different exhibits.
- It is advised that you remain calm and avoid touching the butterflies to ensure their natural behaviour and well-being are not disrupted.
- Remember to stop by the local café and souvenir shop to grab some snacks and gifts before you wrap up the tour.
Participate in interactive activities
What makes Zanzibar Butterfly Centre so popular is that it offers numerous interactive experiences to visitors. You can see butterfly eggs, admire the butterflies as they fly around you, and even feed them. Learn about the butterfly life cycle as you see caterpillars nibble on leaves and touch chameleons in a dedicated enclosure.
