Chumbe Island Coral Park

Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd. (CHICOP) is an award-winning private nature reserve that was developed from 1991 for the conservation and sustainable management of uninhabited Chumbe Island off Zanzibar, one of the last pristine coral islands in the region.

The park includes a fully protected coral reef sanctuary and forest reserve that harbour extremely rare and endangered animals, a Visitor and Education centre, a small eco-lodge, nature trails and historical ruins. All buildings and operations are based on state-of-the-art eco-technology aiming at zero impact on the environment (rainwater catchment, photovoltaic energy and solar water heating, composting toilets, vegetative greywater filtration etc.).

The Island can be reached in 45 minutes boat ride from Mbweni Beach, It covers 16 hectors of undisturbed forest and surrounded by a virgin coral reef, the sanctuary has more than 200 a pieces of pristine stone corals, about 400 species of fish and turtles & dolphins regularly passing by.

With its pristine coral reef, natural trails around the island and Indian mosque and lighthouse dating back to 1904, Chumbe has something to tickle everyone’s fancy. Ader’s Duikers roam through the forest reserve as fish eagles soar overhead and tiny pied kingfishers jump from branch to branch of the baobab trees and mangroves.

A short boat ride away from the main island of Zanzibar, a day out at Chumbe is not complete without some snorkeling. The reef is rich in marine life; turtles, sting rays, lobsters and schools of brilliant tropical fish. Snorkeling equipment is provided on the island with tuition available for beginners and park rangers on hand to guide you through the reef imparting their specialist local knowledge. Explore the waters either in the morning or afternoon, leaving time for a nature trail across the sand bank which is dotted with scuttling crabs and starfish waiting for the tide to sweep them out to sea. Walking through Chumbe’s coral rag forest, you can see fossilized structures in between the jungle of vines and vegetation.

Cold soda and bottles of water are complimentary throughout the day, with a selection of mouthwatering Swahili dishes for lunch freshly cooked on the island. During your stay, you’ll have use of one of the island’s award winning eco-friendly bandas as well.

Day Trip:

Day trip is possible to Chumbe Island; however as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) the Island carefully manage the numbers of guests on the island at any one time (maximum 14 guests only). As the facilities are primarily focused towards those guests who book an overnight trip, day trips can be done only when there is availability in the lodge. This means we cannot take advance bookings for day trips. If you would like to book a day trip it is best to contact us two days before the day you would like to visit to check on availability.