Mnemba, being a small paradise island in the Indian Ocean is, well, paradise. We took the short hop from DAR to ZNZ in a 210 Caravan. From there is was about a 1.5 hour drive to the North West of the main island, and about a 20 minute boat ride.

The island is as much about conservation as it is about tourism, and they are particularly good about protecting the (hawksbill? leatherback? any takers?) turtles that come to nest there. They also have one of the few remaining populations of Ader’s Duiker in the wild on the island.

On this trip, we arrived just in time to see a turtle nest hatching. Naturally this meant we would also partake in the great illusion that by ensuring they reach the water’s edge, we had helped the species survive. The truth is that, though they might get taken by a crab or seagull for the short 45 minutes or so on land, the real dangers stem from remaining being bite sized in a literal ocean of predators for years. This doesn't meant that one doesn't get a feeling of achievement in walking alongside a newly hatched turtle until it reaches the water, even though statistically, it will have been eaten by something before you’ve finished your bubbly.



Turtle Hatching






Our Banda





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Mnemba was a lot of fun. Naturally the lodgings, food and scenery were amazing. We summoned the energy to leave the banda for a dive on one morning, which was pleasant, yielding dolphins and all manner of small sea creatures (leaf fish anyone?) that excite dive leaders. In all, short of some hideous mass murder, we were probably always going to enjoy our time on small paradise island. Suffice to say, it didn’t disappoint.



Cheers!