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Chumbe Island
Island sets example of WORLD-LEADING ECO-TOURISM
Chumbe Island in the Zanzibar archipelago has been a private nature reserve for more than 25 years, protecting a diverse array of life on land and amid its surrounding coral reef sanctuary. All the award-winning conservation work is funded by ecotourism with day trips and overnight stays giving visitors a chance to share in the pristine splendour. Here, the island’s sustainable tourism consultant, Diana Körner, provides an introduction to one of Zanzibar’s most exclusive escapes.
Images by Chicop
In the early 1990s German aid worker Sibylle Riedmiller created Chumbe Island Coral Park (Chicop) Ltd, a not-forprofit company set up for the sole purpose of establishing and sustainably managing the Chumbe Island marine protected area (MPA). The concept grew to become the first financially self-sustainable MPA in the world and to date it is still one of only two such areas in the world that is entirely self-financing. The reserve includes a fully protected coral reef sanctuary, forest reserve, education centre and ecolodge.
Flora and fauna
The 550,000 sq m coral reef sanctuary has the highest marine biodiversity in Zanzibar and the 170,000 sq m closed forest reserve also has a rich array of life. The reef sanctuary is a fully gazetted 100% no-take zone so no fishing can take place in its waters. Effective management of Chumbe’s fish nursery in the reef sanctuary meets globally accredited ‘pristine’ standards.
The reef is home to 514 fish and 59 hard coral species. Hawksbill and green turtles visit regularly, as do dolphins. One of the conservation successes of Chumbe Island is the return of a healthy population of blacktip reef sharks.
There is also a large and thriving coconut crab population here, which has become a study base for international researchers and students. The forest reserve is home to at least 80 bird species, more than 20 butterfly species and the critically endangered Ader’s duiker. In order to improve the future of this threatened species, Chicop began to work with the Department of Forestry to establish an Ader’s duiker sanctuary in the Chumbe forest reserve in 1995. In 1998 and 2000 a small breeding population of six Ader’s duikers was then translocated from Mtende Region to the fully protected forest reserve of Chumbe Island. Monitoring procedures such as hidden video cameras have since been put in place to monitor these shy creatures.
A recent survey in 2021 found 178 species of plants in the forest reserve, belonging to 159 genera and 63 families. Of these, 82 per cent are considered to be indigenous – making Chumbe Island an area of important biodiversity value among East African coastal forests. The survey, which was supported by the US Forestry Service, revealed new and rare species for Zanzibar.
Ecotourism funding conservation
Chumbe Island operates as a social enterprise with all revenues generated through ecotourism directly financing the conservation and environmental education programmes for local community members. Chumbe Island’s conservation work involves roundthe-clock patrolling of the private marine protected area by a fully trained team of patrol rangers.
Omari Nyange is Chumbe Island’s head ranger. As a former fisherman, he played a key role in building a relationship of trust and cooperation between Chumbe as a private marine protected area and local fishing communities. Omari and his team of rangers have reduced illegal fishing attempts and poaching attempts in the park to a minimum, through a non-confrontational approach based on education and awareness raising, thereby creating positive economic benefits for local communities while protecting the highly diverse Chumbe reef. Omari and his team regularly visit surrounding local fishing villages to talk about the benefits of marine conservation and host local stakeholders on the island for educative visits.
Omari Nyange is the island’s head ranger
Images by Chicop
Ecotourism experience
Guests to the island can enjoy Chumbe on a day trip from Zanzibar or choose to stay overnight in one of the seven eco bungalows, completely immersed in nature and with a clean conscience as solarpower, rainwater harvesting, and composting toilets allow for a zero impact overnight. The bungalows are inspired by African building traditions and constructed in an open style, entirely from natural and sustainable building material. Activities on the island include snorkel tours, forests walks, climbs up to the iconic lighthouse as well as nightly walks through the forest to observe coconut crabs. All activities are led by Chumbe’s guiding rangers who ensure an educative, fun and safe experience for visitors of all ages.
Images by Chicop
Facilities
The food experience on Chumbe Island has been rated by many visitors as one of the best in Zanzibar, with locally and sustainably sourced ingredients served as traditional Swahili dishes. Guest can dine overlooking the Indian Ocean under the stars at night and with their feet in the sand. Chumbe Island can accommodate up to 18 guests on the island, allowing for an exclusive island get-away in nature. Single-use plastics have been eliminated from all tourism operations and Chumbe Island works closely with local recycling initiatives. Its island boutique supports local artisans and women cooperatives.
Chumbe Island’s ecotourism model has won numerous international awards, including ‘Best in Africa’ of the Green Destination Top 100 Sustainable Destinations. It was also a Leader in Sustainable Tourism finalist in the ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ awards by the World Travel and Tourism Council, was included in the New York Times ‘1000 places to see before you die’ and named one of the world’s best eco lodges by National Geographic.
More information
To find out more call +255 242 231 040, email book@chumbeisland.com or visit chumbeisland.com
