Romantic Mnemba

Romantic Mnemba - the Honeymoon Atoll

Dhows and Mosques might seem to be more at home on the Arabian Peninsula than on the east coast of Africa, but from their first appearance here more than 1200 years they have become a regular and permanent fixture. The Arabs initially came as traders of cloth, glass and other Arabian products and returned with African ivory, rhino horn and slaves, but were soon so captivated by the Zanzibar archipelago and its lucrative harvest of cloves, cinnamon and other spices that the Sultan of Oman decided to move the seat of his empire to Zayn Zal Barr (‘fair is the island'). The Arabic influence is still very apparent and nowhere more so than in Zanzibar's romantic Stone Town where the maze of tiny streets through coral-stone buildings with intricate lattice work leads one straight into the past.

Environmentally friendly paradise

Just two kilometres and a fifteen-minute ski boat ride off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar lies Mnemba Island. Situated here is &Beyond's exclusive ten ‘banda' Mnemba Island Lodge, an exceptional retreat for honeymooners, second-honeymooners and those just seeking sun-drenched relaxation. All electricity for lighting and refrigeration is supplied by solar energy, the bandas are built from local materials, all non-biodegradable refuse is removed from the island, no live corals, fish or shells may be collected and all fishing takes place outside the 200m protection zone around the island where fish are photographed, tagged and released. More than seven years of efforts by &Beyond saw the island and its reefs declared a Marine Conservation Area by the Zanzibar Government on 1 November 2002. This means that all those using the reef (the island is strictly for the use of &Beyond guests only) are now bound by the same code of conduct that &Beyond has had in place for its staff and guests since opening the lodge.

Marine and terrestrial diversity

There is much worth protecting and over 300 species of fish roam the different marine habitats on the Mnemba Atoll, from the Semicircle Angelfish to the huge Whale Shark, from Moray Eels to Manta Rays and even the recently recorded Thorny Seahorse. Various Dolphin and Whale species can also be seen as can Green and Hawksbill Turtles, some Green Turtle female returning regularly to lay their eggs on Mnemba's sandy beaches. Between August and May each year the numbers of resident bird species such as the Purple-banded Sunbird are boosted by thousands of palearctic migrants whose breeding grounds lie on the Arctic tundra, but if neither birding, diving, or fishing catch your interest there is always just plain luxurious relaxation to recharge your batteries.

-Chris Roche-

Posted: Other by CC Africa, Date: 21 November 2006