About Chumbe Island
“Karibu Sana,” you are most welcome to Chumbe Island Coral Park! Chumbe Island is an idyllic tropical island that is situated about 6 km west of the larger island of Zanzibar and about 30 km off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa. A 45-minute boat ride takes you to this small, magical island where hospitality is not just a way of business, but a way of life.
Chumbe Island is an internationally acclaimed conservation area, hosting a fully protected coral reef sanctuary and forest reserve. The private island is located off the coast of Zanzibar’s main island and features seven eco bungalows, completely immersed in nature, built using cutting-edge eco-technology and eco-architecture to ensure zero impact on the environment.
The company objectives are non-commercial, while operations follow commercial principles. The overall aim of CHICOP is to create a model of financially and ecologically sustainable park management, where ecotourism supports conservation, research and comprehensive Environmental Education programs for local schools and other benefits for local people.
Activities include guided snorkel tours, forest walks, climbs up to the iconic lighthouse as well as night tours through the forest to observe coconut crabs. The Chumbe Reef Sanctuary is host to one of the healthiest and most productive reefs in Zanzibar with up to 80% live hard coral cover, 514 fish species and 59 hard coral genera, over 90% of all known in the region.
The Closed Forest Reserve is a hotspot for terrestrial biodiversity. It is the most intact coral rag forest habitat in the country with over 178 recorded plant species and several rare and endangered animal species, such as one of the largest known populations of coconut crabs (Birgus latro) worldwide.
Endorsed by the Ministry of Education, CHICOP operates an extensive environmental education (EE) programme. The island has an education center with classrooms, and initiatives are conducted both on and off-island. Chumbe is a multi-award-winning initiative. A United Nations Global Laureate for ‘Outstanding Environmental Achievement’ Chumbe has a long list of prestigious industry awards, including recognition as a Top 100 Sustainable Destination globally with one of the best ecolodges in the world.
As a wedding location, Chumbe Island offers the possibility for intimate, private celebrations, surrounded by nature at breathtaking locations, such as its own private sandbank or beach, or inside its Visitor Center, an open structure overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Note 1: Chumbe Island has a strict carrying capacity of a maximum of 18 visitors, thereby ensuring proper visitor management in the protected area and enabling an exclusive private island experience.
Note 2: The island is closed every year in April and May during the rainy season for annual maintenance.
