Read 9 traveller reviews of Chumbe Island

Chumbe is a tiny coral island about six miles by boat from Zanzibar Town. Many years ago the army restricted access to it and thus the surrounding coral remained untouched; now it is protected by marine park: Chumbe Island Coral Park. At the heart of the island stands the remarkable Chumbe Island Lodge - a trail-blazing, award-winning example of a lodge that is genuinely ecologically sensitive.

There's no good groundwater on the island, so all of the lodge's buildings have been ingeniously designed to catch, filter and store their own rainwater. The main dining and lounge area, which also functions as an education centre, is particularly spectacular in scale and design; like the rest of the lodge it uses mainly local materials and building techniques.

Chumbe has just six double-storey chalets, all lit by solar power at night. Each has a bedroom on the top floor, one wall of which opens to the stars. Downstairs is a bathroom, a lounge/living room area and a large hammock. There's also one single-storey bungalow, and all are within 30 seconds' walk of the beach. The food is simple but very fresh and good, with an emphasis on vegetables, fruit and seafood.

Activities focus on learning about the island's ecology. Escorted forest walks look at the island's geology, flora and fauna - including endangered giant coconut crabs. On the beach, walks explore the rich inter-tidal zone, and then further into the sea, guides who know the reef lead snorkelling trips (scuba-diving is prohibited). A particularly impressive coral garden, the pristine reef around the island harbours over 400 species of fish and 200 species of hard coral.

Chumbe is a non-profit organisation that ploughs its proceeds back into local conservation and education programmes; and has very strong links with, and involvement from, the local communities in the area. We're proud to support it. It's also a delightful and fascinating place, ideal for a stay of two, or perhaps three, nights. (Note that transfer times may require you to stay in the Stone Town area the night before coming here.)

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Beach

Season: 1 June to mid/end-April

Ideal length of stay: Two or three nights is ideal

Geographics

Location: South-west Zanzibar, Zanzibar

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Community Project

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Dining style: Inidividual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: No

Drinks included: Sodas, water and snacks are included; other drins are excluded.

Special interests

Honeymoons: For something different from the usual, and very eco-friendly, Chumbe has a very positive vibe, and the accommodation here, with a bedroom that opens up to the ocean on one side, is very romantic. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for honeymoons in Zanzibar

Diving & snorkelling: Chumbe Island offers guided snorkelling trips on some of the most pristine and amazing coral gardens in the world. To help preserve them, no diving is allowed. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for diving & snorkelling in Zanzibar

Traditional Cultures: Community involvement is relatively uncommon on Zanzibar - but here you will find it done properly. Chumbe Island is a charity, so all the profits go back to the community, and the team of excellent local staff and guides here take real pride in their work, and in their island. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for traditional cultures in Zanzibar

Children

Generally recommended for children: Yes

Notes: Superb for older children with an interest in wildlife, who will enjoy the guided inter-tidal walks (around the rock pools), and other activities.

Central communications

Power supply: None

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Dangerous animals: Low Risk

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

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