Islands around Pemba
Misali Island
The jewel of Pemba, Misali Island lies offshore from Chake Chake and
is 1km long and 500m wide. The Island is partly forest-covered and
surrounded by extensive coral reefs. In addition in offering attractive
beaches, the island hosts rich inter-tidal ecosystems, abundant fish
and bird nesting, and provides a sea turtle nesting area. The beaches
on its western side are set aside for nesting turtles and breeding
sea birds. On the eastern side is a mangrove forest. The marine sanctuary
of Misali Island is a favorite day-trip for snorkeling and picnicking
- rangers can show you to its sea-caves and turtle-nesting beaches. |
|
|
Makongwe Island
It is a few kilometers from Mkoani. It has characteristics similar
to the opposite area on the island of Pemba with deep soils and hilly
terrain. The island is inhabited and people do farming and fishing. |
|
Panza Island
Is the southern most island in Pemba and in fact is a series of islets
but a bridge connects the two main parts of Mtondooni and Panza proper.
Ship wrecks found on the southern part has become an important diving
site. Its inhabitants do farming and fishing. |
|
Kiweni Island
It's one of Pemba's more remote areas, neglected by the
government and overlooked by most visitors. However, it's also
one of Pemba's most beautiful corners and an ideal place for
relaxing. The island hosts a very rich variety of and provides a nesting
ground for some sea turtle colonies. It also offers some good snorkeling
and diving, with one side of the island protected by the reef, and
drop-off diving on the other side. |
|
Kojani Island
Is the only inhabited island on the western side of Pemba. It is home
to some skilled artisanal fishermen in East Africa who seasonally
travel to most parts of the coast in search of schools of fish to
catch. |
|
|
Fundu Island
Is located a few miles from Wete. It is the only inhabited island
among the group of islets forming the north-west reef of Pemba. |
|
What to see ?
Ras Mkumbuu Ruins
Ras Mkumbuu is situated northwest of Chake Chake town. It's
a site of a Swahili settlement dating back to the 11th century, which
at the time seemed to be one of the most powerful on the East African
coast. Today, the remains of a large mosque can still be seen and
a number of 'pillar tombs'. There are also remains of houses and wells.
There is no road along the peninsula and most people visit the site
by boat from Chake Chake, landing at the nearby fishing village and
strolling up through the fields and palm trees to the ruins. |
|
|
Ngezi Forest
Ngezi is the last significant area of moist forest surviving on Pemba
and although the reserve covers 1440 hectares, only 550 hectares are
actually forest, the remainder being evergreen thicket. Endemic mammals
in this small forest reserve are Pemba flying fox (a bat endemic to
the island), Kirk's red colobus, velvet monkey, blue duiker and marsh.
The forest itself is a protected area and there is an information
centre, a nature trail and a small entrance fee. |
|
The Chake Chake Fortress
The oldest surviving building in Chake Chake town is the Old Fortress,
which is thought to date back at least to the eighteenth century and
possibly as far back as the Portuguese occupation (1499 to 1698). |
|
Ras Kiuya Forest Reserve
Situated on the northern eastern tip of the island, this forest is
smaller than Ngezi but is still rich in wildlife and vegetation and
makes for an interesting day trip from Wete. |
|
