Zanzibar Natural History Museum Travel Guide: Top Sights in Tanzania,

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Zanzibar Natural History Museum- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Educational & Science; Tanzania; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 1 hours

The Natural History Museum in Stone Town, Zanzibar, housed within the historic Karume House (formerly the Peace Memorial Museum since 1930), showcases an array of regionally significant specimens—from taxidermied local fauna like red colobus monkeys and Zanzibar leopards to rare marine bones and a dodo skeleton—offering a tangible glimpse into the island's ecological past and biodiversity. The compact but richly curated exhibits highlight Zanzibar's endemic and extinct wildlife, provide insights into malaria and smallpox control efforts, and preserve shells, reptiles, bird collections, and a herbarium that reflect decades of conservation and cultural heritage research. Its strategic location in Stone Town makes it a valuable stop for travelers seeking an authentic understanding of Zanzibar's natural history in just a short visit.

Operators offering tours in Tanzania

Attractions in Zanzibar

Stone Town

Forodhani Gardens

3.4

Prison Island

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

4.8

Paje Beach

4.8

Nungwi Beach

Nakupenda Beach

4.6

Rock Restaurant

Reviews of Zanzibar Natural History Museum

Neil Ball

3
Reviewed: 2025-02-14

This is the lesser half of a two part museum package. It does try to capture some of diverse, wildlife found on the island, the displays are old and deteriorating. The museum could use some love.
Lyndsey

2
Reviewed: 2025-01-16

Joint ticket with the Peace Museum next door which is better. Mostly stuffed birds and animals which I do not care for. Some information in English. No-one else was there during my visit. The highlight, if you aren't giant tortoised out from visiting Prison Island, are the 4 adult and a dozen or so junior giant tortoises.
Jacek Pliszka

4
Reviewed: 2024-12-31

Musuem are not that great - they need lots of work. But the bonus are huge turtles/tortoises living in the garden.
Paul Waite

4
Reviewed: 2024-12-09

Small history museum with full guided tour, not massive amounts to see but you also get to go across the road to Peace Memorial Museum with the same ticket which was much better. Probably need about an hour for both places.
virtuosok

4
Reviewed: 2020-11-12

Small museum, dedicated mainly to local fauna. Shared ticket with nearby museum, you can do both in 30 mins.