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Mnemba island lies 15 minutes by boat from the North east coast of Zanzibar, protected by a lagoon with over 10 miles of reefs rich in colorful fish and corals. This private island resort offers "barefoot luxury" in ten self-contained cottages, positioned discretely amid the lush tropical vegetation. This is where Bill Gates comes to unwind and savor Mother Nature's delights, on the heart-shaped splash of sand in the blue depths of the Indian Ocean. Mnemba is an Arabic word for octopus.
Recognition
Condé Nast Traveller chose Mnemba Island as one of the three most romantic ocean destinations in the world.
Mnemba Island's Wildlife and Ecology
Landscape - The spectacular waters of the Indian Ocean surrounding Mnemba fall within a 200-meter protected zone and provide a sanctuary for a host of marine animals and magnificent coral reefs. Just below the surface, and down to the seabed, are vibrant ecosystems to match the excitement and splendor of the African savannahs and tropical forests. If you walk barefoot along the beach after dark, the light created by your footprints on the wet sand will entrance you. This remarkable phenomenon is caused by phosphorescence in the surf.
Island Life - The inky green forest light gives shelter to the rare Zanzibar suni antelope and is filled with White Forest Vagrant butterflies. There are no snakes, mosquitoes, scorpions or rats on the island, adding to the assertion that this truly is paradise on earth.
Marine Life - The lagoon is like a huge tropical fish tank, full of colorful marine organisms. Over 300 species of fish are present. Marine life includes Powderblue Surgeonfish, Green and Hawksbill Turtle, Vagabond Butterflyfish, Semicircle Angelfish, Clown Tigerfish, Long-horned Cowfish, Moorish Idol, Manta Ray, Ghost Crabs and bottlenosed, spinner and striped dolphin. The striped dolphin is the most common marine mammal, but other dolphins and whales are also present. The gigantic, harmless Whale Shark, the world's largest fish, is a frequent visitor to Mnemba. A host of other sharks and rays are also present. Game fish include barracuda and marlin, and these are tagged before being released. Corals need sunlight to function, but they are not plants. They are, in fact, gregarious, anemone-like, filter-feeding animals belonging to a large invertebrate group. In addition to the great variety of fish, coral reefs are home to a host of other fascinating creatures including spectacular anemones, nudibranches, starfish, crabs and molluscs.
Birdlife - Crab Plover, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Purple-branded Sunbird, Bar-tailed Godwit and the glimmering Paradise Flycatcher are found on Mnemba. Crab Plovers are probably the most interesting birds on Mnemba and usually the most sought-after by serious bird-watchers. Some birds capture small invertebrates, sand shrimps and sea lice. Those frequently seen on the shores are Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, and the Mongolian or Lesser Sandplover. An abundance of water and wading birds are sighted daily. At high tide, flocks of wading birds can be seen on sandbars at Mnemba. This may not seem remarkable until it is realized that most of these birds are thousands of kilometers away from their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra. What is even more phenomenal is that they undertake the long trip from the frozen north to the African tropics twice a year throughout their lives. The greatest numbers of Palearctic waders occur along the East African coast between late August and early May.
Flora - The forest in the center of Mnemba Island consists almost entirely of the so-called Whistling Pine. Judging from the parallel formations, it appears to have been planted there in years gone by. This tree is not considered indigenous to Africa although it is now naturalized and propagates freely along tropical coasts throughout the world. It is thought to originate in the Far East or Australia. These trees are often grown as dune-stabilizers, and the Mnemba forest may indeed serve to keep the island intact in the face of eroding ocean currents. Dominant on the outer fringe of the island is the distinctive Screw Pine, which supports itself with its strong aerial roots. Wild Rubber Fig, Giant-leaved Fig, Coast Milkwood and Dune Cross-berry are among the other native tree species to be seen.
Habitats - Mnemba Island is covered by a flush of forest and caressed by pure white sand. The dunes dip down into the warm Indian Ocean. Here, you can discover a variety of marine-associated habitats from a placid lagoon to beautiful coral reefs, where ocean life flourishes.
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