The Jozani–Chwaka Bay Biosphere Reserve is the sole national park on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, and is notable for its rich diversity of ecosystems. This unique landscape features a blend of mangroves, tropical forests, coral reefs, and various wetlands, alongside agricultural and residential zones. Recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, the reserve is home to an array of reef fish, dolphins, and 168 bird species, including 30 that hold global and regional significance, Flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) seen at Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Another animal in the forests of the Unguja Island unequaled elsewhere is the Zanzibar leopard (Panthera pardus adersi) which was believed to be extinct. In Swahili, a leopard is called 'Chui' and is part of the superstitious beliefs of the people. People believe that sorcerers keep this animal as their pet and scare people by spinning stories that the animal appears like spirits and disappears into thin air, which most likely comes from the fact that Leopards are very shy of humans and elusive.
The sea grass beds of the Chwaka Bay, fringed with mangrove forests, are important breeding grounds for marine organisms, including open sea fish species. The mangroves are also good breeding grounds for birds. An Integrated Conservation and Development (ICD) planning for the area is under consideration.
The bay is also proposed to be declared a Ramsar Site and is placed on the Tanzanian Tentative List for World Heritage Sites to recognize its unique natural and cultural assets with due consideration of proposed conservation efforts.
Chwaka Bay its surrounds on the east coast, including extensive stands of mangroves along its southern shore, support populations of greater sandplovers, crab plovers and Saunders's terns