Embark on an exclusive and transformative journey of marine conservation and community engagement
Mnemba Island Impact Journey
&Beyond Mnemba Island | Zanzibar
Join like-minded guests on this limited edition set departure journey
Hosted by skilled marine specialists and passionate conservationists
Exclusive access to signature marine impact and guiding experiences
Ideal for ocean-lovers, swimmers, snorkellers and scuba divers alike
Witness marine conservation in action; participate in the experience
Enjoy an array of immersive cultural and community experiences
Offered in partnership with
There is no Planet B. This is the only one we have. Most people don’t realise that without the blue there is no green – so we need to protect our oceans if we want a healthy world.
– Dr. Camilla Floros
Your journey at a glance
Travel with purpose and become immersed in the unique marine and island conservation initiatives on Mnemba.
Set off on a transformative, privately hosted 7-day journey to discover the profound connection between marine conservation and thriving communities. Join other like-minded travellers on this expertly guided, small group set departure as we explore the pristine waters surrounding &Beyond Mnemba Island located just off the northeast coast of Zanzibar. Join the dedicated Oceans Without Borders (OWB)* team in preserving the vibrant marine ecosystem, from natural reefs to innovative artificial structures. Together, alongside &Beyond’s long-standing conservation and community development partner, Wild Impact (formerly Africa Foundation), you’re helping to protect and restore this underwater world.
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You’ll have the unique opportunity to contribute directly to conservation efforts, gaining hands-on insight while supporting the OWB team with their various daily tasks. You’ll also have the chance to interact with some of our partner communities and Wild Impact projects on mainland Zanzibar. This extraordinary opportunity to connect with the Zanzibari people, while contributing to conservation efforts, offers a unique and invaluable experience for discerning travellers seeking a purpose-driven adventure.
Indulge in six nights at the exclusive Mnemba Island, where barefoot luxury meets environmental responsibility. With just 12 beachside bandas, this intimate retreat offers unparalleled access to nature and tranquillity. Our carefully selected departure dates ensure optimal weather conditions for your island escape**.
6 nights &Beyond Mnemba Island
*A seat on this Impact Journey includes a Wild Impact OWB programme donation.
**Please note that all marine experiences are weather dependent, and daily happenings may be adjusted accordingly. While some marine activities are tailored for scuba divers, snorkellers are welcomed and will enjoy modified experiences.
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A taste of what to expect
Day 1 | Arrival
Mnemba Island, Zanzibar
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Karibu nyumbani. (Welcome home.)
Upon arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, an airport representative will meet you at the arrivals terminal, just before immigration. They will assist you with the immigration process and baggage claim before escorting you outside to meet your &Beyond driver. From here, your driver will transfer you from the airport to Mnemba Island’s crossing point. Along the way, your driver will highlight various points of interests, sharing more about the fascinating history and culture of this spice-island paradise.
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At the crossing point, you’ll be met by the Mnemba Island team for your short (approximately 15 minute) boat transfer across the channel to Mnemba Island. Please note that there is no jetty and that you’ll need to wade through shallow water to get on and off the boat. Between Zanzibar and Mnemba Island, there’s always the chance of spotting something interesting en route. Watch out for terns and tropical birds plunging into the surf for fish and be prepared for the odd splash. But, most importantly, enjoy the exhilarating ride.
Upon arrival at Mnemba Island, you’ll have the opportunity to settle in before meeting your Impact Journey host, Oceans Without Borders’ (OWB) Marine Programme Manager and Principal Scientist, Dr Camilla Floros. An orientation of your upcoming adventure will reveal what is planned for the week, including what you’ll be discovering and learning and why specific activities were chosen. You’ll also gain insight into our long-standing Wild Impact partnership.
Day 2
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Coral nursery experience
It’s an early start today, as you wake to the gentle sound of the ocean lapping against the shore and then tender coo-oo of island doves. Your marine conservation adventure has officially begun.
Start your day with a delectable breakfast at the lodge, before heading out by boat with the OWB team to the coral nursery (approximately 100 m / 328 ft off the shore). Your morning’s exploration will see you diving* beneath the ocean’s surface (between (6 m to 12 m / 19.6 ft to 39 ft) to learn how the expert OWB team gathers coral pieces naturally dislodged from the local reef. These fragments – known as ‘corals of opportunity’ – will be nurtured into transplantable coral micro-colonies over the coming weeks.
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At the nearby Mnemba Island House Reef, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to also get involved and help the team with some of their daily reef restoration tasks that vary each day. You may have the chance to look for your own ‘corals of opportunity’ and assist the team with the first steps to propagate these new coral pieces. Under the team’s practiced guidance, you may also join them in important coral ‘housekeeping’ which includes the careful removal of algae on the growing coral fragments, ensuring their health and resilience. Your host and experienced OWB team will be with you throughout, showcasing the meticulous care required for these budding coral colonies.
Relish a delicious lunch back on the island, followed by an informative debrief of your coral nursery experience. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Later that evening, unwind with pre-dinner drinks overlooking the ocean as you look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
*Please note this is not a snorkelling experience – an Open Water Diver certificate is required.
Day 3
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Artificial reef structure exploration
Today, your morning will begin with breakfast at the lodge, before heading out by boat to visit the artificial reef structures. Before leaving the island, you’ll spend some time with the OWB team in the Discovery Centre learning more about the island’s artificial reef site, what to expect underwater as well as the goals of your dive.
In the expansion phase of the OWB coral reef restoration project, six artificial reef structures were established just off the shore of Mnemba Island. These structures – 3 starfish, and 3 turtle shaped – are not only reducing the pressures on the Mnemba Island House Reef, but also supporting the establishment of new reef habitats, and generating community revenue.
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Snorkellers are welcome to join and swim along the surface while divers* explore the new life taking shape around these structures alongside your host and the OWB team. Your dive may involve reef fish identification and recording for data purposes and coral monitoring, as well as assisting the OWB team with some of their daily coral maintenance tasks, depending on the day’s agenda.
Return to the island for a delightful lunch before sharing insights from your artificial reef exploration. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your leisure. As the day winds down, savour sundowners at your private beach lounge while anticipating tomorrow’s exhilarating experiences.
*Please note an Open Water Diver certificate is required for guests who wish to explore the artificial reef structures. For non-divers, they can still participate in this experience, snorkelling along the ocean’s surface and observing from above. Please note that it is not possible to swim down to the structures without scuba gear.
Day 4
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Local community visit
Wake up early for breakfast before making your way back across the channel to Muyuni beach on the mainland. This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to explore local village life on Zanzibar Island and interact with transformative education and healthcare community projects hosted by Wild Impact. For over 25 years &Beyond and Wild Impact (formerly Africa Foundation) have worked together with Zanzibari partner communities and other stakeholders on projects supporting education, healthcare, enterprise development and marine conservation.
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Upon arrival on the mainland, you’ll be met by Bakari, your Wild Impact community visit host. Your experience begins at the village of Mbuyutende where you’ll enjoy a gentle stroll gaining an insight into everyday community life, enjoying the sights, sounds, tastes and local hospitality. From this stop, a short drive will take you past the Kijini School and Mlimboni Primary School, one of our current education development projects where you’ll have the opportunity to learn a little more about the school as well as participate in an interactive ECHO environmental education lesson. Your next stop will be Matemwe village, with an enroute visit to a small weaver’s shop. At the village, you’ll pass Matemwe School and visit the Matemwe Health Centre and maternity ward; this partnership project pays testimony to the fundamental importance of a community healthcare facility. Enjoy a fresh coconut or sugar cane juice from the market, before the short drive back to Muyuni beach and your return to the island for lunch.
Back on the island, enjoy the remainder of the day at your own pace, reflecting on your day’s experiences. As evening descends, relax with pre-dinner drinks. Tomorrow your adventure continues.
Day 5
Mnemba Island
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Coral reef stars project
This morning after breakfast, you’ll play a hands-on role in restoring Mnemba Island’s fragile reef ecosystem by participating in the final steps of creating your own hexagonal reef star and nurturing its growth.
After a short introduction at the Discovery Centre, you’ll learn how these small reef stars stabilise coral rubble left behind by global bleaching events and accelerate natural reef recovery. Joined by the OWB marine rangers, you’ll carefully attach nursery-grown coral fragments to your reef star, either from the shoreline or in shallow water, depending on your comfort level.
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Your completed reef star is then transferred by boat to a protected restoration site within the Mnemba Island Marine Special Area (MIMSA). Guests may choose to accompany the team to snorkel, free dive or dive* as it is positioned approximately 6 m (20 ft) below the surface. The deployment is filmed, ensuring you’ll see your reef star settle into its underwater home, even if you remain on shore. Over time, the coral fragments will grow across the structure, creating shelter for fish and encouraging new coral to take hold. What begins as rubble becomes reef once more.
The rest of your day is yours. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, followed by a recap of your reef star experience. Relax and recharge before unwinding with sundowners and looking ahead to tomorrow’s adventures.
*Scuba diving participation requires Open Water certification. Shoreline assembly, snorkelling and free diving options are available for all guests.
Day 6
Mnemba Island
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Island conservation tour
Today, the island is your playground – unwind and explore at your own rhythm. Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters, whether swimming, snorkelling, or scuba diving. Explore the island’s hidden gems at your own pace. Delight in culinary pleasures whenever hunger strikes and pamper yourself with a holistic wellness treatment, discreetly offered in your banda or the island’s serene wellness banda.
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This afternoon is also the perfect time to embark on a captivating one to two-hour guided tour to uncover the heart of Mnemba’s conservation efforts. Engage in the island’s delicate ecosystem as you learn even more about the pioneering green sea turtle monitoring programme, a cornerstone of Mnemba’s commitment to marine life. Witness firsthand the meticulous process of tracking turtle nests and predicting hatch dates. Continue your exploration by discovering the island’s indigenous tree nursery, safeguarding its natural heritage, the sandbag erosion wall, and observing the measures in place to protect the delicate suni and Aders’ duiker populations.
Day 7 | Departure
Mnemba Island
After tucking into one last wholesome breakfast at the lodge, you’ll have a wrap-up and debrief session of the week’s activities. It’s time to say goodbye to your little slice of paradise as you bid a fond farewell to the Mnemba Island staff, your host and the OWB team.
After making your way back across the channel to mainland Zanzibar, you’ll be met by a friendly &Beyond representative at the crossing point who will transfer you to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your homeward flight.
Tuonane tena hivi karibuni. (See you again soon.)
HOSTED BY DR. CAMILLA FLOROS
Growing up, Camilla spent a significant amount of time in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, where she was exposed to beautiful and diverse coral reefs, but also saw firsthand the impact of the increasing pressure of human use on these fragile and valuable ecosystems. These experiences shaped Camilla’s passion for the ocean and sparked her ambition to become a marine biologist and promote coral reef conservation.
Camilla completed her BSc in Zoology at the University of Cape Town in 1998 and went on to finish her Honours in marine biology at Rhodes University the following year. Wanting to focus her studies on coral reefs, Camilla enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she completed her MSc on coral bleaching at Sodwana Bay. After finishing her Masters, Camilla travelled aboard and spent four years in Taiwan, which provided the ideal base for her to explore corals reef in South-East Asia, the epicentre of coral reef diversity.
Rates
Rates are per person sharing
What's included
- Oceans Without Borders donation
- Global Concierge Service
- Personal Travel Journal
- Fast track meet and greet service at Abeid Amani Karume (Zanzibar) International Airport
- Scheduled return transfers between Abeid Amani Karume (Zanzibar) International Airport/Mnemba Island
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as specified
- Soft drinks, house wine, local brand spirits, local beer, teas and coffees (premium brands to own account)
- Conservation, cultural and community experiences
- Laundry
- Conservation Levy
- Infrastructure tax and conservation levy
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Administration Fee
Conditions
- Rates are quoted on a per person sharing basis.
- The departure is subject to a minimum of 6 guests booked by 1 May 2025.
- Single traveller supplement and child rates will be quoted on request.
- Rate excludes telephone calls, &Beyond Beach Shop purchases, gratuities, all items of a personal nature, champagne, cognac, fine wines, premium brand spirits, cigars, and the required mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance.
- Please note that all marine experiences are weather dependent, and daily happenings may be adjusted accordingly. While some marine activities are tailored for scuba divers, snorkellers are welcomed and will enjoy modified experiences.
- May not be combined with other offers. However, additional nights may be added by using our applicable long-stay rates.
- Validity periods are as specified above.
- Rates are subject to currency fluctuations and are subject to change depending on the ROE used at the time of booking.
- &Beyond trading terms apply.
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