Chumbe Island Coral Park

Sustainability Practices

The resort uses 100% solar power for lights, fans, fridge, freezers, battery chargers, water heaters etc. All water is caught using specially designed rain water catchment systems from all roofs etc. Water is later pumped by hand pumps. All toliets on the island are sealed compost toilets with does not create any sewage. The dry compost is removed at the end of the season and used for agriculture. All grey water (from kitchen and showers) is treated in natural filtration systems using sand and gravel filters combined with plant beds. We are running and funding the largest regional environmental education programme with practical field trips to the nature reserve, school visits, support to the ministry of education etc. The education programme is mainly focusing on local school children, but is also including local fishing committees, village committees etc.

Since the start in 1994 Chumbe has invited more than 3500 local school children and 700 teachers to Chumbe for educational trips - and this is provided free of charge for the schools and community members. The eco-lodge on Chumbe Island gives the visitors an idea of how an alternative lifestyle can function - using completely sustainable technologies for all aspects. The fact that the company also manages the marine conservation area and the forest reserve on the island, on behalf of the Government of Zanzibar also benefits the guests on the lodge by giving them exclusive access to these nature conservation areas.

The eco-tourism initiative has managed to provide sustainable funding for the conservation and education programmes without compromising the environment in Zanzibar and gives job oportunities etc for local people. Income from the lodge is financing all research, conservation and environmental education programmes within Chumbe Island - at a cost of at 200,000 US$/year including salary costs for 10 full time staff working only with these programmes. Chumbe employs 41 local people full time and pay around two times as much as other, more conventional hotels in the area.

The company also encourages further education of the employees and supports the employees with course fees, free time to study etc and also arranged teachers to come and give for example language classes to the staff. Further development and the possibility to make a career within a company is also very much promoted and at this stage 5 of 7 managers within the company are in senior management positions. All guests on Chumbe receive information about the local culture and are encouraged to show the appropriate respect.