Chumbe Island – Zanzibar

Chumbe Island – Zanzibar

Chumbe Island is a small privately owned island situated approximately 6 miles off the main Zanzibar island, this private island is known for its protected areas, exceptional coral reefs and ecological innovations.

The island consists of a lot of attractions including the great coral reefs which are the major tourist attraction and a reason to why the island is a popular tourist destination, the spectacular reefs inhabit over 400 species of fish which can easily be identified.

Chumbe Island  and its surrounding area display an exceptional amount of biodiversity including plant and animal life including at least 90% of all hard coral species that have been recorded in East African reeds found near the island.

In 1992, the fringing reef west of Chumbe Island was officially enclosed to fishing, diving and boating, later in 1994 the island and its surrounding waters were declared the Chumbe Island Coral Park which consists of the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary and the Closed Forest Reserve.

chumbe island

Why visit Chumbe Island

Chumbe Island set off the western coast of Zanzibar Island is one of the most beautiful islands of Zanzibar, the island is a prime example of sustainable tourism.

Visitors can enjoy snorkeling in the most incredible colorful underwater world in a huge variety of fish, corals, turtles and other fascinating sea creatures.

Visitors can also learn about the Island’s marine park life, education centre, forest reserve and nature reserve from the onsite professional guides and get a taste of the delicious Swahili Cuisine for lunch whilst enjoying the exclusive atmosphere of this secluded island.

Top attractions visitors can expect on the Chumbe Island include

 Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd

Chumbe Island hosts a Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd an award-winning private nature reserve developed in 1991 for the conservation and sustainable management of the inhabited island. The reserve includes a fully protected Coral Reef Sanctuary and Forest Reserve that harbors rare wildlife, a visitor and Education Center, a small eco- lodge, nature walks and historical monuments.

All structures and operations in this park are based on state of the art eco-technology aiming at zero impact on the environment, some of the operations include rainwater catchment, photovoltaic energy and solar water heating, composting toilets, vegetative greywater filtration etc.

Wildlife

Chumbe Island hosts rare wildlife species including Ader’s Duiker – one of the smallest and most distinctive of Africa’s mini- antelopes distinguished by the wide white band across the rump. These duikers adopt their small and stocky body shape for easy movement through the dense undergrowth, have large hindquarters, an arched back, relatively short legs and pointed hooves.

 Birdlife

Chumbe Island is a home to various bird species including Roseate Terns which are smaller in Size compared to a Common Tern but very white  in color, with long tail – streamers, a black cap and black beak with a reddish base.

In summer, adult Roseate Terns have a pinkish tinge to their underbelly which is where it gets its name.

The forest reserve on Chumbe Island inhabits about 80 bird species, the island  and the adjacent Kiwani bays on the south-western side of Unguja have been designated as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife international park because of it supports populations of Terek sandpipers, crab plovers, the area is also the breeding colony of some 750 pairs of roseate terns.

Sealife

The waters around Chumbe Island host an abundance of beautiful fish species including reef sharks, humpback whales, marine turtles, dolphins and dugongs.

The majestic humpback whale are the famous marine creature on the island, the humpbacks can reach 15 meters in length and weight up to 40 tonnes. Watching them in their natural habitat offer an unforgettable experience.

Zanzibar has many great beaches and coral island reefs which are the most stunning locations attracting marine life from all around the area. Other creatures found in the area include coconut crabs – whose name derives from the crab’s ability to climb coconut trees where it easily cracks coconut with its powerful claws, there are also marine turtles such as the Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) the second largest of marine turtles, its name comes from the colour of their fat not their shell as many may believe. The beaks of these turtles is sharp and finely serrated, perfectly adapted for gazing in seagrass beds and scraping algae off of hard surfaces, visitors of the island can regularly spot the marine turtles feeding or resting in the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary.

Other activities at Chumbe Island

Chumbe Island has more magical activities guests can do during their visit and these include

• Chumbe Island diving – guided dividing tours on the island include guests be taken on boat ride to the edge of the Coral Reef Sanctuary where the views open up to a haven of breathtaking sights.
• Kayaking – visitors of the island can use canoes to explore the Indian Ocean and its surrounding sights with the guidance of local communities.
• Snorkelling: the island’s surrounding waters have some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world with numerous marine species including stingrays, octopuses and eels.
• Birdwatching: the island is a birder’s haven inhabiting several hundred species of birds which can be spotted by visitors.
• Game drive safaris: visitors can combine their holiday with a visit to Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.

How to get to Chumbe Island?

By Boat

Chumbe Island is accessed via a boat transfer from Mbweni on the main Zanzibar Island, Mbweni is located approximately 3.7 miles from Stone Town. International travelers can fly to Zanzibar Island via the main airport “Zanzibar Airport”.

Accommodation at Chumbe Island

The main accommodation facility at the island is The Chumbe Island Resort with 7 bungalows which are brilliantly designed to provide both privacy and a sense of living in open.

Useful information

Geography – the island is located on the west coast of Zanzibar Island and it can be reached by boat with a journey time of 45 minutes.

Guests to Chumbe Island often combine trips to this beautiful island with the other islands such as Pamunda Island, Pemba Island and Unguja Island.

Weather: Day-time high temperatures range from 25C/77F to 28C/82F.

Best time to visit: Chumbe Island can be visited from June to March.

Knowing and understanding the best time to visit Zanzibar is useful as it impacts flight prices and availability.

Health: Travel through malaria areas, you may be required to take measures such as seeking medical advice from your doctor and considering anti-malarial medication.