The Chumbe eco-lodge has seven bungalows, each designed with state-of-the-art eco-architecture and eco-technology. These ‘Robinson Crusoe’ style bungalows are self-sustaining, collecting rainwater for the bathrooms and generating electricity through solar power photovoltaics. Advanced composting toilets and wastewater management systems in each bungalow ensure your stay will have close to zero environmental impact. We closely monitor and control all the island’s operations to minimise environmental impacts.

Chumbe works with local craftsmen and artisans to source sustainable building materials, equipment and art. Food products are all sourced from local community fishers and farmers. Each eco-bungalow is equipped with biodegradable soap from a local women’s cooperative and features an organic shampoo made in Zanzibar. Our team prepares a natural mosquito repellent, and we provide traditional Zanzibari khangas and kikois for use around the island.

Photovoltaic solar panels provide all electricity on the island. Each bungalow has solar panels on the roof, providing power for that individual bungalow. Separate arrays of panels are located behind the mosque and close to the mangrove pool to power the Visitor Centre and staff quarters.

Our eco-bungalows and Visitor Centre have been designed with large roof surface areas to maximise rainwater catchment. Each bungalow cistern can hold up to 15,000 litres of water, sufficient to supply the bathroom taps and shower units for the entire year.

Chumbe is committed to strict zero-pollutant management for all our operations. To achieve this, water outlets are directed to clay-encased areas planted with indigenous species with high phosphate and nitrate dependencies, which prevents greywater runoff into the marine environment.

To help reduce the amount of solid waste produced, Chumbe restricts the numbers of visitors to the island and avoids purchasing non-biodegradable products. Goods are transported in locally made, re-useable, biodegradable baskets.

Raw fruit & vegetable waste is composted on the island. In contrast, any non-biodegradable waste is brought back to Zanzibar, where Chumbe works with local partners that focus on collecting, processing, re-purposing and selling recyclable waste, locally and internationally.

As signatories and ambassadors of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, Chumbe Island has avoided using plastics since its early days and is a single-use plastic free island. We continue to engage with our value chain on the importance of reducing plastic consumption, collaborate and report publicly and annually on progress made.

As part of our vision to manage and protect Chumbe Island effectively, we strive to serve as a model for effective ecotourism and MPA management. We also provide a platform to promote broader environmental awareness for sustainable development and ecological stewardship in Zanzibar. We have partnered with the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism to support sustainable tourism initiatives under the ‘Greener Zanzibar Initiative’ and are a launching partner of the Zanzibar Declaration on Sustainable Tourism, endorsed by the President of Zanzibar.