Pristine island wilderness: Mnemba is an idyllic island situated within a marine reserve comprising four distinct habitats which are home to a diverse array of Indian Ocean wildlife.
- Nesting place of threatened green turtles (monitoring and protection project has been underway since 1996)
- Seasonal viewing of humpback whales (July to September)
- Encounters with three species of dolphin
- Excellent opportunities to view whale sharks (the world’s largest fish)
- Migratory and resident shore birds feed and roost on the Island
- Approximately 600 species of coral reef fish
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Mnemba Habitats:
Coral reefs comprise a variety of hard and soft species including finger, brain, honeycomb and table coral, and palmate sea fan. The pristine white beach is comprised of wave-washed coral fragments, and is a habitat for crabs, sea snails, turtles and wading birds. The forest on the centre of the Island is comprised mostly of whistling pine, with pandanus (screw pine), wild rubber fig and dune cross-berry on its outer fringe. The open sea is home to myriad life forms from plankton and shrimps to marlins and dolphins. |
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Mammals at Mnemba:
Gigantic humpback whales pass through the deep-sea channel between Mnemba and Zanzibar on migration (usually from July to September). Common, bottlenose and spinner dolphins are present throughout the year and pods of these charismatic animals often come close to shore. A population of tiny suni antelope inhabit the casuarina forest on the island and may be seen tiptoeing around near the rooms. |
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Birds at Mnemba:
Over 50 species have been recorded at Mnemba. Migratory waders including lesser sandplover, curlew sandpiper, whimbrel and ruddy turnstone gather on sand spits alongside flocks of elegant crab plover. Greater crested tern, sooty gull and dimorphic egret are frequently seen hunting for fish along the shore. Large numbers of red-eyed dove roost and nest on the island. Palmnut vulture and gymnogene are among visiting raptors. Purple-banded sunbird, African reed warbler and paradise flycatcher are resident at the forest edge. Unusual birds such as harlequin quail may appear sporadically. |
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Reef Fish at Mnemba:
Nearly 600 species of species of brilliantly coloured reef fish occur around Mnemba and the surrounding reefs. Among the most striking are moorish idol, palette surgeonfish and clown triggerfish. Geometric moray eel, giant frogfish and freckled anglerfish (frogfish) are among the stranger denizens of coral reefs. There are 168 species of fish on Mnemba’s house reef – just a five-minute swim from your banda. Enormous whale sharks (the world’s largest fish) are regularly encountered in deep water channels. Groups of hammerhead sharks are located occasionally. |
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Other Wildlife:
Green turtles come ashore at night to excavate nests and lay their egg clutches of up to 150 eggs, which hatch after about two months. Watching these primeval creatures go about their ancient breeding ritual is a memorable experience. Predatory ghost crabs run up and down the beach. Massive coconut crabs are occasional visitors. Big-fin reef squid occur on coral reefs. |
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| For exciting wildlife sightings, visit CC Africa's entertaining
and informative wildlife website www.wildwatch.com. |
