Jacco Paans & Fleur Deuss, Netherlands
The information the travel agency gave us could not prepare us for the very pleasant
surprise when we arrived at Chumbe. A place that one can only experience oneself, and hard
to be explained. A very promising and positive project, and hopefully an example for
future projects to be installed. We wish you much success & luck, and we thank you for
the wonderful visit.
Louise, from South Africa
Well, the best comment would be WOW! I'm so glad I decided to end my memorable holiday in
Zanzibar here on Chumbe. It's definitely the brightest highlight of my trip. The
snorkelling was the best I've done in Zanzibar. The bungalows are an education (as well as
being the best in Zanzibar!) Lying in a hammock, watching palmtrees moving in the
seabreeze and listenting to the sea is like a dream! The food is superb! (Also the best
I've had in Zanzibar). And the staff excellent! All the best for your conservation
project. Hope the Ader duikers like it here!
Catherine Hofe,USA
An incredible day, a privilege to have visited this project. It must be preserved and
protected for all our future. Please keep it the same and education of the children about
marine biology a priority. Fantastic island, superb snorkelling and wonderful
guiding, - totally unspoilt. Just wish we were spending a night in the excellent new
accommodation, - well designed, functional & in keeping with the rest of the island. S.
Neuffer,Germany
Nach einem eindrucksvollen Tag sitzen wir hier im warmen Wind und versuchen die Eindruecke
des Tages Revue passieren zu lassen: Farben, Formen, Zusammenspiele, die wir vorher nicht
kannten - wunderschoen!
Nick Thomas, London, UK
Absolutely fantastic - the island is breathtaking, the guide knowledgeable, friendly,
helpful and professional, the food absolutely superb and the snorkelling out of this
world. I can't speak highly enough of Chumbe island and the people who run it. You can be
assured that I will recommend the island to all my friends and hope that one day I get the
chance to return. All those who have been either in the past or currently, involved with
the island should be extremely proud of their achievements.
J.E.N. Veron, Chief Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Sciences
The outer reef flat and the reef flat/slope is one of the most scenic I have ever seen
anywhere. The coral cover is virtually 100% with large colonies closely packed together.
The diversity of coral is also very big with almost all of the 200 species of Zanzibar
present. The accomodation is excellent. I wish the Marine Park the best - it deserves it.
Boris & Emma S., Jo'burg, South Africa
Chumbe Island - a beacon of hope for tourism in Africa. We had an amazing 4
days here, without which our trip to Zanzibar would just have been average. Apart from the
beautiful scenery it is the staff and rangers who make it such a special experience. Their
courtesy, friendliness and enthusiasm for their work remains without equal to any other
place we have been to in Africa. The brilliant concept of 'soft ecotourism' gives a
visitor the option of visiting a country without the feeling of being an 'invasive
species'. One can see this project contributes something positive to the environment and
the surrounding communities. It has been a privilege to have been part of that, and we
would like to support this venture in the uture ...
=====================================================
CHUMBE ISLAND IS THE WINNER OF THE GLOBAL AWARD
***1999 BRITISH AIRWAYS TOURISM FOR TOMORROW
AWARD ***
24.2.2000
Dear friends and colleagues,
This is to share with you the excellent news that the Chumbe Island Coral Park Project has
now also won the GLOBAL AWARD of the prestigious 1999 British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow
Award, in addition to the one for the "Southern Region", that covers the whole
of Africa, Middle East and the Indian subcontinent!!!
According to British Airways, "Awards are made on a worldwide basis with one overall
Global winner and five Regional Winners. There are two Special Awards for mainstream
(mass) tourism; a Hotel Siting & Design Award given in association with the
International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI) and a National Park/Protected Area
Award given in association with IUCN - The World Conservation Union. A number of Highly
Commended Awards are also
presented."
Chumbe Island Coral Park has won this prestigious award for its achievements in creating
the first privately managed marine park in the world, and establishing the island as an
innovative stunning conservation area where everything is state-of-the-art eco-friendly,
including all buildings, the Visitors' Centre and guest bungalows. The Chumbe Park Rangers
are former fishermen trained by the project over many years, and they are now very
competently guiding people around the several reef and forest nature trails.
As the Southern Regional & the Global Award winner, the Chumbe Island Project will be
featured in The Green Travel Guide Book, the British Airways in-flight magazine "High
Life", the UK TV travel programme "Wish You Were Here...?" and general
publicity through the BA worldwide communications network.
Our project manager Eleanor Carter and the Head Ranger Omari Nyange went toLondon for the
award-giving ceremony where the winner was announced. |