Situated eight kilometres south-west of Stone Town in Zanzibar, Chumbe Private Island is covered by undisturbed forest and surrounded by a virgin coral reef. Chumbe Island is the first marine sanctuary created in Zanzibar and it can now be visited as a secluded private nature reserve and offers an exclusive and unique experience. The island, lodge and marine park have won accolades for its approach to tourism, and may well become a blueprint for future developments.
Chumbe Island is incredibly colourful and surrounded by a shallow reef alive with 90 per cent of all the coral species ever recorded in East Africa and more than 350 species of fish, sea turtles and lobsters. Migrating humpback whales pass westwards in October and November, and dolphins occasionally pass throughout the year. Chumbe Island is open all year round, and despite its proximity to Zanzibar Island it receives significantly less rainfall.