Chumbe Island
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Chumbe Island is situated a few kilometres offshore from Zanzibar. The island has glorious coral reefs, waving palm trees, thick coral-rag forests and sublime cuisine.
The island is currently gazetted as a protected marine reserve (since 1994) and is run by a nonprofit private organization that conducts marine research and hosts tourists in seven small eco-friendly bungalows, either overnight or for day trips. These bungalows are made from natural materials, collect rainwater and have solar panels for their electricity. [1]
The exceptional quality of the reefs is attributable to the fact that the island was within a military zone which limited human impact on the marine life. The coral gardens and their resident fish, turtles and eels can be explored by visitors staying on the island, but currently only while snorkelling - scuba diving is generally not allowed.
The island also has two historical buildings - a small mosque and a lighthouse, both built around the turn of the 20th century. [2]
Chumbe Island has won awards [3]that highlight exceptional environmental organizations, notably:
- Responsibletravel.com's Responsible Tourism Award 2004 (2004)
- Conde Nast magazine's World Eco-tourism Award. (2001)
- United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 (2000)
- British Airways 'Tourism for Tomorrow' (1999)
[edit] External links
- Chumbe Island website
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