Chumbe Marine Park, or Chumbe Reef Sanctuary, as it is formally known, is a privately managed marine park on Chumbe Island Zanzibar that has been in operation since early 1994. The marine sanctuary’s original goal was to build a park that would help preserve and maintain the great diversity of coral present in the waters around Zanzibar.
The three groups who joined together to put the sanctuary together: the local government, private park developers, and local fisherman in the area, had some severe issues and disagreements while the park was being constructed. Since the conflict was resolved and the park was constructed, it has received further money from the European Union, a German aid agency, and a number of other unaffiliated and independent contributors (including the original developer team).
The Chumbe Marine Park contains a terrestrial nature walk, as well as an eco-lodge for tourists and an education center that promotes coral conservation and education. Since its creation, the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary has won numerous honors, including the UNEP Global 500 Award for Environmental Achievement and the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Southern Regional and Global Awards.
The Chumbe Island Coral Reef Sanctuary protects a diverse range of marine life, including crustaceans, 474 reef fish species, blacktip reef sharks, and a variety of other creatures. The endangered green turtle and the highly endangered hawksbill turtle use it as a feeding place. In addition to humpback dolphins, Chumbe Coral Reef Sanctuary has also seen spinner dolphins, and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.
Chumbe Island Coral Reef Sanctuary’s reefs are among the most robust in the Western Indian Ocean. Its corals have bleached and perished at substantially lower levels than others during prior bleaching events. This resilience is attributed by CHICOP managers to the presence of “few additional stressors” (i.e., no fishing or destructive activities taking place in the sanctuary).
Local residents benefit from the Chumbe Island Coral Reef Sanctuary’s economic prospects, and indigenous rights are respected in its management. According to CHICOP’s management plan, Chumbe is “effectively and sustainably managed in order to maximize its contribution to biodiversity conservation, serve as a model for effective ecotourism and MPA management, and provide a platform to promote wider environmental awareness for sustainable development and ecological stewardship in Zanzibar,”
Activities: Because the entire island of Chumbe is a natural reserve, you can explore it at your leisure or with the help of knowledgeable local rangers. Over two decades as a protected area has resulted in an abundance of uncommon and endangered plant, animal, and marine species. All guided activities are included in the price and are organized on a daily basis.
Snorkeling-Take in the breathtaking beauty of more than 200 coral species on just one kilometer of reef (90 percent of all coral species found in Africa), which serves as a forest home, shelter, and food for more than 450 fish species, as well as turtles year-round, thanks to the park’s protected status and no-take fishing zone. Batfish, spot lobster, Blue-spotted Stingray, Giant Grouper, Oscar, and large, colorful parrotfish will be following close behind. Although scuba diving is not permitted in the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary, adjacent reefs can be enjoyed.
On the island, the virgin Chumbe forest reserve is home to some of the worlds most uncommon and endangered species, including the huge Robber or Coconut crab, the world’s largest land crab, endemic Aders Duikers, and seabirds like the Roseate Tern. Learn more about the island’s geology, plant adaptations to survive without groundwater, medicinal applications of native trees and shrubs, hidden animals, and the island’s intertidal shoreline with the help of local guides.
Mangroves, baobabs, and 15,000-year-old fossils are all explored on several well-marked routes. You can also visit the lighthouse, which under Zanzibar Ports Corporation continues to serve as an important signal of shallow water to maritime users, and the mosque, which was built for the Indian lighthouse keeper by his community around the turn of the century and is still used by Chumbe’s Muslim team members on the island for daily prayers.
Getting There:
Stone Town, Zanzibar’s capital, is only a short boat ride away from Chumbe Island Coral Park. Fly to Zanzibar and then take a 10-kilometer/10-minute cab journey south of Stone Town to the Mbweni Ruins Hotel (pre-bookable through Chumbe in advance).
