MNEMBA ISLAND LODGE
ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA

Sheer unpretentious paradise: Mnemba Island Lodge comprises just 10 rustic palm-frond bandas with en suite bathrooms and private verandas nestling in a tropical beach forest fringed by a soft white coral-sand beach.

• Intimate private island
• Just 10 romantic beachside bandas
• Pristine white beaches
• Spectacular coral reefs within a marine reserve
• Excellent scuba diving and snorkelling
• Threatened green turtle's nesting ground
• Incredible diversity of marine life
• Warm Zanzibari service
• 24-hour swimming in front of the bandas

General information

Surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs, it boasts some of Africa's most wonderful dive sites. Mnemba is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world, offering a privacy and rustic exclusivity unparalleled on the African coastline.

The Zanzibar Archipelago and its 'Spice Islands', discovered by Arab traders in the 8th century, are bathed in the heady scents and romance of a bygone era. Traditional dhows (coastal Arab sailing vessels) drift across the horizon, and gentle soft-spoken islanders tend to your every need. You may fill your days relaxing on the soft white-sand beaches or indulging in irresistible pursuits in the gloriously warm waters. Fresh fruit, fish and shellfish are served daily, and romantic candle-lit dinners at the water's edge will capture your soul.

Accommodation

EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION, ZANZIBAR, INDIAN OCEAN

Intimate island paradise

This exquisite, private island with its white coral-sand beaches and spectacular coral reefs is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world.

• Just 10 beachside bandas
• All with en suite bathrooms
• Overhead fans
• Spacious outdoor verandas
• Guest areas with beautiful sea views
• Island crafts shop

Hand-woven from traditional Zanzibarian palm-matting, each secluded banda has a spacious veranda and is hidden in the shade of a tropical beach forest, fringed by the pristine beaches that halo the Island. A palm-covered walkway leads to an en suite bathroom with shower and basin. Zanzibar is famous for its intricate, detailed woodcarvings and the scrolled headboards adorning the beds are created by some of the Island's most skilled artisans.

Sheer unpretentious paradise, the architecture of the Lodge offers a rustic exclusivity and privacy unparalleled on the African coastline. Thatched dining and sitting/bar areas have beautiful open views of the beach and spectacular coral reefs beyond. Baskets of fresh fruit, fish, lobsters, crabs and prawns are sailed into Mnemba daily on traditional ngalawa outriggers, and prepared as exotic delicacies. Lunch is usually served on large wooden carved Zanzibar platters heaped with delicious mezze (fingerfood). Romantic candle-lit dinners are enjoyed on the beach with the waves gently lapping at your feet. Private beach dinners are often enjoyed by honeymooners.

Irresistible island activities

You may fill the sun-drenched hours with a variety of water activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing and swimming, or simply sunning on the beach.

Activities

ACTIVITIES AT MNEMBA ISLAND, ZANZIBAR, INDIAN OCEAN

Cool island adventures

The calm warm seas around Mnemba offer irresistible water activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, fly fishing and swimming directly from the beach at no additional cost. Excellent birdwatching, beautiful walks around the Island or simply suntanning on the pristine beach may also be enjoyed. Optional extras include diving courses, deep-sea fishing, a tour of the ancient 'Spice Island' of Zanzibar, and a range of relaxing massages and therapeutic treatments.

Scuba Diving

Mnemba boasts some of the world's most beautiful dive sites. The clear blue seas provide unsurpassed visibility for both snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts - we will provide you with all scuba and snorkelling equipment needed. Just a short boat trip from the Island, coral reefs drop into the deep open sea. You can enjoy two dives daily led by our experienced dive instructors. Please note that a valid diving certificate is required.

Scuba Diving Courses (optional extra)

If you don't have a diving certificate, Mnemba offers a professional dive school for beginners. Speciality dives include deep, night, navigation, drift and peak performance.

Deep Sea Fishing (optional extra)

Mnemba is situated near the Pemba channel which is renowned for its excellent big game fishing - Mnemba supports tag and release fishing. Big game fishing enthusiasts are catered for on a well-equipped boat, which can be hired complete with tackle and crew. The big game fishing season runs from July to March, with plenty of Yellowfin Tuna during the summer months. Billfish (sailfish), black marlin, striped and blue marlin tend to run from October to March.

'Spice Island' Tour of Zanzibar (optional extra)

Explore the markets of Stone Town with memories of its extraordinary romantic and often violent past - dating back to 800AD when Arab traders first arrived on the islands - evoked by ancient ruins, shady cloisters and the rich aromas of cloves, cinnamon and coconut.

Mnemba Massages (optional extra)

To ensure your stay at Mnemba is as relaxing and memorable as possible, our in-house therapist offers a range of massage and reflexology treatments.

Snorkelling

Mnemba offers fantastic snorkelling with 168 species of fish found on the house reef - just a five-minute swim from your banda.

Game viewing

MNEMBA ISLAND, ZANZIBAR, INDIAN OCEAN

Pristine island wilderness: Mnemba is an idyllic island situated within a marine reserve comprising four distinct habitats which are home to a diverse array of Indian Ocean wildlife.

• Nesting place of threatened green turtles (monitoring and protection project has been underway since 1996)
• Seasonal viewing of humpback whales (July to September)
• Encounters with three species of dolphin
• Excellent opportunities to view whale sharks (the world's largest fish)
• Migratory and resident shore birds feed and roost on the Island
• Approximately 600 species of coral reef fish

Mnemba Habitats

Coral reefs comprise a variety of hard and soft species including finger, brain, honeycomb and table coral, and palmate sea fan. The pristine white beach is comprised of wave-washed coral fragments, and is a habitat for crabs, sea snails, turtles and wading birds. The forest on the centre of the Island is comprised mostly of whistling pine, with pandanus (screw pine), wild rubber fig and dune cross-berry on its outer fringe. The open sea is home to myriad life forms from plankton and shrimps to marlins and dolphins.

Mammals at Mnemba

Gigantic humpback whales pass through the deep-sea channel between Mnemba and Zanzibar on migration (usually from July to September). Common, bottlenose and spinner dolphins are present throughout the year and pods of these charismatic animals often come close to shore. A population of tiny suni antelope inhabit the casuarina forest on the island and may be seen tiptoeing around near the rooms.

Birds at Mnemba

Over 50 species have been recorded at Mnemba. Migratory waders including lesser sandplover, curlew sandpiper, whimbrel and ruddy turnstone gather on sand spits alongside flocks of elegant crab plover. Greater crested tern, sooty gull and dimorphic egret are frequently seen hunting for fish along the shore. Large numbers of red-eyed dove roost and nest on the island. Palmnut vulture and gymnogene are among visiting raptors. Purple-banded sunbird, African reed warbler and paradise flycatcher are resident at the forest edge. Unusual birds such as harlequin quail may appear sporadically.

Reef Fish at Mnemba

Nearly 600 species of species of brilliantly coloured reef fish occur around Mnemba and the surrounding reefs. Among the most striking are moorish idol, palette surgeonfish and clown triggerfish. Geometric moray eel, giant frogfish and freckled anglerfish (frogfish) are among the stranger denizens of coral reefs. There are 168 species of fish on Mnemba's house reef - just a five-minute swim from your banda. Enormous whale sharks (the world's largest fish) are regularly encountered in deep water channels. Groups of hammerhead sharks are located occasionally.

Other Wildlife

Green turtles come ashore at night to excavate nests and lay their egg clutches of up to 150 eggs, which hatch after about two months. Watching these primeval creatures go about their ancient breeding ritual is a memorable experience. Predatory ghost crabs run up and down the beach. Massive coconut crabs are occasional visitors. Big-fin reef squid occur on coral reefs.

Conservation

ECOTOURISM AT MNEMBA ISLAND LODGE

Mnemba Island Lodge is committed to the core principles: Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the people.

The focus is

Community equity, income generation, education and health care are a primary concern. In consultation with community organisations such as the Africa Foundation - a not-for-profit rural development organisation - Mnemba Island Lodge has contributed significantly towards improving the prosperity and living conditions of the local Kijini and Matemwe communities of nearby Zanzibar.

A major conservation coup for our local partner CC Africa was the declaration of Mnemba Island and its surrounding reefs as a Marine Conservation Area (MIMCA). This unique partnership between the local communities, the Zanzibar government and CC Africa was established to protect the fragile coral reefs and marine life. A daily levy for all water activities is deposited into a community fund, demonstrating that protecting the marine environment can create revenue.

MNEMBA ISLAND LODGE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS

• USD 27,155 invested in community projects
• Employment opportunities provided
• Windmill at Kijini supplies the village of 2600 people
• Shamba (vegetable garden) at Kijini
• Classrooms built at both Kijini and Matemwe Schools
• Library built at Matemwe School and books donated
• Doctor's house constructed
• Numerous Hippo Water Rollers (portable water containers) donated
• Ablution facilities built

Ecotourism in Africa

Guests play a critical role in helping realise the dream and vision: to create a model in wise land management, integrating international travellers and rural people to their mutual benefit and demonstrating that wildlife can be preserved on a sustainable basis by all.

Positive Health Programme

Our partner CC Africa strongly believes in its people and was recently listed as one of three finalists in the Investor in People category of the 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The October 2005 edition of Africa Geographic featured an article on AIDS and conversation, and highlighted the activities and programmes that various African companies are implementing in order to increase AIDS awareness and, in doing so, empower the communities taking care of some of the world's richest wilderness regions.

"Probably the most attractive program ... is that of CC Africa... CC Africa launched a Positive Health program in 2003 and in April and May last year ran two seven-day courses.... Their approach focuses on home-based care, gardens, counseling techniques and gender issues.... The health of the habitat is critical to the health of the individuals in it.... The conservation industry is uniquely positioned to take the treatment of HIV/AIDS in radically new directions.... Benefits [of the program] include acquiring 'hard skills' such as maintaining clean water, producing food, and home-based methods of dealing with illnesses that are not life threatening.... It takes only the will of ecologically minded people to make sure that the wild places are not lost."
Africa Geographic, October 2005

Getting there

Mnemba Island Lodge is easily accessible by road transfer from Zanzibar Airport or Stone Town, followed by a short boat transfer to the Island. There are daily international flights from Europe and South Africa to Nairobi and Dar es Salaam International Airports, followed by a scheduled flight to Zanzibar International Airport. We can pre-book and package all of your regional/internal flights and transfers, and provide a meet and greet service at all airports.

Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

What is included

• Accommodation
• Three meals daily
• Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits, and beers
• Teas and coffees
• Laundry
• Watersports included in the tariff: scuba diving (2 dives per day for guests holding a full PADI certificate only), snorkelling, kayaking, flyfishing, sundowner dhow cruise, and windsurfing
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance

What is not included

• Telephone calls
• Safari Shop purchases
• Champagne, cognacs, premium brand spirits, fine wines, and cigars
• Gratuities
• Transfers to and from the lodge
• Diving instruction for guests under the age of 12 years and adults requiring individual supervision (for guests without a PADI certificate) and deep-sea fishing
• All water activities not listed above

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