Chumbe Island Resort, Tanzania
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Lots of activities are waiting for you on and around Chumbe Island. Make sure
you bring enough time with you!
The whole of Chumbe Island is a nature reserve and you may explore
its beauties either under the competent guidance of our park rangers or
at your leisure.
Snorkel through our unique shallow water Reef Sanctuary or explore the Forest
Reserve and historical monuments. Perhaps just allow yourself a lazy day
watching dhows and outrigger boats go by.
Accommodations
Accommodation on Chumbe Island is - in many aspects - something really
special. It's what Robinson Crusoe could only have dreamt about.
Firstly, the bungalows themselves are so brilliantly designed that they
provide both privacy and the sense of freedom of living in the open. Many of our
clients find these bungalows exceptionally romantic (honeymooners love them),
but any individual with a passion for natural beauty will find these bungalows
captivating beyond measure. All bungalows overlook the sea and it takes just 30
seconds to stroll from the comforts of your bungalow hammock to feeling the warm
tropical ocean lapping at your feet.
All bungalows are equipped with double or twin beds in the sleeping area
under the palmthatched roof, self-contained bathrooms with hot & cold shower,
large living rooms, equipped with handmade furniture and decorated with African
art and colourful fabrics... (and very comfortable hammocks). Because there are
only seven bungalows, the island never gets crowded, even when we are fully
booked. This ensures that our team finds the time to give you all the service
and attention that you deserve on your peaceful and relaxing holiday away from
traffic, phones, TV, faxes, loud music...
Our prices include everything except alcoholic drinks. All the food, soft
drinks, snacks, park fees, park ranger services like forest walks, guided
snorkelling on the reef (with all equipment provided), scheduled boat transfers
back and forth to the island, etc... everything is included. And, if you're not
quite sure about your snorkelling skills: our experienced rangers provide
excellent tuition.
Dining takes place under the impressive roof of our visitors' centre, which
overlooks the sea between Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania. Our chefs provide an
abundant supply of mouth-watering dishes that are a mixture of Zanzibarian,
Arabic, Indian and African tastes and satisfy both vegetarians and
non-vegetarians.
Eco Bungalows Being a Marine Protected Area (MPA), the focal
aim of the Chumbe Island Coral Park Project is to preserve Chumbe Island's
exceptional environment. Therefore we have built accommodation based on
state-of-the-art eco-architecture and eco-technology. So, what is so special
about these Eco-bungalows?
As there is no ground water source in the rocky substrate of the island, each
bungalow collects its own freshwater supply from rainwater (captured from the
specially designed expanse of roof) during the rainy season. This rainwater
passes through a complex filtration system and is stored in spacious underground
cisterns (under each living room). The water is then hand-pumped (by either Ali,
Juma or Yussuf on the Chumbe Team) through a solar-powered heating system into
hot & cold-water containers for the shower and hand basin in the bathroom.
The used water from showers and basins is filtered through particulate
filters, ending in specially sealed plant beds so that no polluted water will
seep into the Reef Sanctuary. These beds are planted with species that are
demanding in water and nutrients, and therefore easily absorb any remaining
nitrates and phosphates.
To deal with sewage we have also installed composting toilets. These
eco-toilets prevent sewage (from septic tanks) seeping through the porous ground
into the Reef Sanctuary, (as this would lead to pollution of the fragile reef
ecosystem, encourage algae growth and finally kill coral communities and
organisms depending on them). Instead, human waste is quickly decomposed to
natural fertilizer when mixed with compost (aerobic composting) in the compost
chamber. To ensure the experience for the client is the same as with any regular
toilet, specialized designs have been implemented with wind powered vent pipes
and gradient storage so that it feels no different to using a regular toilet;
except that composting toilets need no flush water at all, thus they also
effectively economize on water.
Lights are powered by photovoltaic panels on the roof that provide ample
environmentally friendly 12V energy for normal usage.
The open design of the bungalows, with minimal barriers to the open air,
allows for maximum through-draft for cooling of the bungalows; a form of natural
air-conditioning. To enhance this, louvres are in place that can be lowered or
closed depending on the desired temperature.
RATES INCLUDE boat transfers to Chumbe Island from the beach of the
Mbweni Ruins Hotel, full board and accommodation in Eco-bungalows on Chumbe
Island, soft drinks and snacks, all guided nature walks on forest trails,
intertidal and mangrove walks, use of educational materials available at the
Visitors' Centre, guided snorkelling in the Reef Sanctuary, snorkelling gear
provided, tuition in snorkelling if required. For SCUBA diving there is an
additional charge.
Getting There
Boat departure time to Chumbe Island is 10:00 a.m. daily from the beach
of the Mbweni Ruins Hotel (10 minutes drive south of Stonetown). Advance booking
for all reservations is required. Later boats to depart to the island can be
arranged for US$ 50, and we can also collect you from the airport, port or town
hotels for US$ 10.
Price: $1050 USD per week.
Size: 16 Acres
Location: 8 miles off the coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania
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