MNEMBA, CHAPWANI AND CHUMBE ISLANDS:

Mnemba Island, off the north-east coast of Zanzibar main island, basks in its own tranquil lagoon. Boasting splendid beaches and spectacular coral reefs alive with fish, it is renowned as the ultimate in barefoot luxury.

Mnemba Island is part of a coral atoll formation which supports a bewildering array of reef fish and other marine life. In common with other marine turtles, the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) are commonly found on Mnemba Island and their nesting sites are scattered along the western coast of the island, on sandy beaches. The common bird fauna on the island include red eyed doves, which bread on Mnemba, but feed on other parts of Zanzibar, while duikers are also abundant on the vegetation around the island. At the high tide, flocks of migratory wading birds (crab Plover, order Charadriiformes) which is one of the most sought after birds by bird watchers, can be seen gathered together on sandbars at Mnemba. Few bird species are resident on the Island ,although Paradise Flycatcher, African Reed Warbler and Purplebanded Sunbird, breed on Mnemba, and Mangrove Kingfisher is occasional. Black Kites are often seen soaring over head and raid the nest of the doves.

Ghost crab (Ocypode madagascariensis), which burrow up to a meter deep, and which is active during the day, can be seen scarring back and forth across the beach at Mnemba.

There is a variety of fish species, found in these waters, the common fish families found in the area includes, Emperors, Parrot fish, Rabbit fish, Goat fish, Snappers, Groupers, Trigger fish, and Fusiliers. Beyond the outer fringe and drop-off of the reefs, the open sea is home to a host of pelagic fish and marine mammals. The Sperm Whale and Humpback Whale, regularly move through these waters on their migratory routes to and from the South Pole. More commonly encountered are the Striped, Spinner and Bottlenose Dolphins, which are resident off Africa’s east coast throughout the year, although they are subject to movements in response to the shoaling fish on which they prey. Whale shark is regularly encountered between December and April, while the White-tip Shark is most common around the reef wall.

Manta Ray and Devil Ray are see close to reef drop-offs or the sea bed. A host of large predatory fish occurs in the open sea. Among those, commonly encountered are various species of Barracuda, Mackerel, Kingfish, Sailfish and Marlin.

A number of invertebrate species are found in the area, for instance, cowries, mussels, crown shell, oysters, etc. Sea cucumbers, sea urchins, sea slugs, are also found in the area.

On the southern part of Mnemba Island, 10 species of hard corals are found, while 35 species and 28 species are found on the northern and middle part of the Island respectively.

Chapwane island is situated just over a mile from the coast to the North West of Stone Town. It can be reached comfortably within 15 minutes from Stone Town by boat. Near to Changuu and Bawe, Chapwani is also known as Grave Island because a small part of it has been used as a cemetry since 1879, mainly for British sailors.

It is a coral island nearly a kilometre long and some 100 metres wide. The island is surrounded by small coves, sandy bays and crystal blue waters, and is perfect for snorkelling, windsurfing and diving at the many interesting locations near the island.

At the Southern tip of the island a large white sandbank emerges from the sea at low tide. From here one can bathe at all times of the tide. The Southern end of the island has a number of small sandy coves but is covered by thick vegetation. This is the home to a stray colobus monkey whose presence on the island no one can explain. Shy and reclusive, he is only occasionally seen swinging from one tree to another. A large herd of some 60 dik-diks, miniature antelope, native to Zanzibar hide here during the heat of the day in the thick undergrowth, to emerge in the evening in the open. They are also shy but are now used to the presence of humans on the island and can be seen easily seen on Chapwani.

The southern end of the island is also home to a large flock of fruit bats (over 1,000), these sleep in the safety of the island during the day and leave in large swarms at dusk towards the mainland, returning only shortly before dawn to their resting place.

Along the South West Coast of the island runs the sea wall protecting the small but fascinating British seamen's graveyard. This is a historic monument of great interest and beauty and the graves through their inscriptions tell the stories of tall ships, battles with arab dhows during the slave wars and the sinking of HMS Pegasus, the first shot to be fired in the First World War. From here the long sandy beach stretches for over 500 yards all the way to the Northern tip of the island. The sand is fine and white and perfect for swimming for some eight hours out of twelve. At low tide, the coral reef surrounding the island is uncovered, revealing crevices and pools in the coral full of multi-coloured small shore life. Shoals of flying fish can often be seen off the island and dolphins regularly pass close by the shore. In the early morning white egrets and other sea birds gather at the Northern tip of the island.

The two little coves at the North of the island provide perfect privacy and must be one of the most idyllic spots in the whole of Zanzibar to spend a day on the beach in total isolation. To the North Eastern coast of Chapwani is a natural pool, emptied at each low tide through a small gap in the coral but refilled with fresh sea water with each tide. This is another idyllic spot to swim and sunbathe.

The remainder of the North East coast is lined with rugged coral broken by only a couple of small isolated coves suitable for swimming only at high tide.

At night the island is superb. The lights of Stonetown sparkle in the distance and the stars above are breathtaking.

Chumbe Island is a rare example of a still pristine coral island. A UN protected area, it carries the accolade of one of the most spectacular coral gardens to be found anywhere in the world. Tanzania's first marine park, and the first privately managed marine park in the world, Chumbe offers visitors the opportunity to snorkel through the shallow water Reef Sanctuary, scuba dive the nearby reefs, or explore the Forest Reserve and historical monuments that include a hundred year old lighthouse, built in 1904 and equipped in 1926 with a gas light system still functioning today, and the only ancient mosque with Indian architecture.

The Chumbe Reef Sanctuary is the first declared Marine Protected Area of Tanzania, one of the world's most beautiful coral gardens and the best preserved shallow reef on the East African Coast. The sanctuary has more than 200 species of pristine stone corals, more than 400 species of fish and regularly visiting turtles and dolphins. This spectacular reef can be observed by snorkelling under the guidance of trained Park Rangers. Snorkelling equipment is available on the island. Please note that scuba diving on the Chumbe Reef is prohibited, unless for research purposes; however scuba excursions are available on neighboring reefs.

The Chumbe Forest Reserve is a coral rag forest with a unique flora and wildlife including numerous reptiles, birds, crabs and the rare nocturnal Coconut Crab. The island is formed from fossilised coral and throughout the trail it is possible to see the patterns of the coral and the remains of giant clams thousands of years old. The Forest Nature Trails are also visited under the guidance of trained Park Rangers.