According to CNN, with biodiversity, visitors here will have to share space with some of Mother Nature's most majestic creatures, including the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark.
Thanda Island. Photo: CNN
Located about 30 minutes by helicopter from the largest city of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Thanda Island is located in the middle of a private marine reserve with a strict restoration and conservation program – a program that has brought many benefits to tourists. guests as well as the community around the island.
As the brainchild of two Swedish businessmen, Dan and Christin Olofsson, Thanda Island hotel has been in operation since 2016.
We wanted to create the “ultimate escape” destination, says General Manager of Thanda Island Hotel Antigone Meda. Antigone Meda explains that her multi-generational families and groups of friends are typical guests of the island, most staying five to eight nights. The island owns a villa and two outdoor bungalows on the beach.
“The villa was inspired by many of the Kennedy family's beach houses. The space creates romantic, nostalgic beach vibes, with a touch of East African light,” Ms. Meda said.
According to Ms. Meda, Thanda Island is striving to be self-sufficient by installing an on-site seawater desalination plant that harvests rainwater and is powered by the largest off-grid solar farm in Tanzania. Organic waste will be turned into compost.
However, a hotel's sustainability information is only part of its appeal to environmentally conscious travelers. The island is located within the Mafia Island Marine Park and more specifically the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, which visitors have exclusive access to during their stay.
In addition to the island's white sand beaches, activities include jet skiing, kayaking, surfing and kiteboarding. Diving and snorkeling are the sports most appreciated by tourists. Whale sharks, humpback whales and black tip reef sharks are just a short boat ride away.
The island's conservation program began in 2017. Marine biologists were hired in partnership with the Tanzania Marine Parks and Protected Areas Unit to conserve marine species.
The island itself has a protected turtle nesting area (five species live in the area, with new green turtles hatching since 5), but most of the work takes place at sea.
Notably, Mr. Hassan Jumbe is a diving master on Thanda Island and works on the island's coral restoration project. A 10-minute boat ride from the island is a coral nursery tended by Mr. Jumbe, where found pieces of coral are cut into smaller pieces and attached to ropes hanging from floating pontoons and allowed to grow. Another technique involves cutting small corals on the seabed to create space for them to grow.
Mr. Jumbe started working here in 2022 and said there are "not many fish" in the waters near the island.
“Now things are big different. The island has healthy coral reefs and lots of fish around. So for the local people, they are very proud of it,” Mr. Jumbe added.
“The ocean is our life”
Mr. Jumbe explained that 90% of the nearby population, largely dependent on fishing at Mafia Island, 16 nautical miles away. Mr Jumbe also said that while the private reserve is limited, the reefs will provide safe breeding space, with coral populations spilling out into the wider area beyond which can be fishing in a more sustainable way.
“The ocean is our life. A lot of people don't realize the importance of coral," Mr. Jumbe added.
Meanwhile, General Director of Antigone Meda said the project aims to cover and restore 1 hectare of coral reefs within the next 5 years.
“I remember when I first came here, I saw one or two blacktip sharks. Now the island possesses a diversity of fish species. When tourists enter the water, it feels like they are surrounded. Now, 120 whale sharks are living in these waters,” said Ms. Meda.
Benefits to tourism have been associated with a number of projects involving the Mafia Island community. Ms. Meda said most of the staff at Thanda Island come from neighboring islands. Currently, Thanda Island attracts a series of entrepreneurs and small businesses there.
Mr Jumbe also said that others from Mafia Island have been trained in underwater diving and coral restoration.
“Some guests also help us carry out some of the projects on Mafia Island that we run. They feel responsible. They feel happy because luxury travel can really create a positive impact,” Mr. Jumbe said.
Meanwhile, Cherae Robinson, founder and CEO of luxury travel operator Tastemakers Africa, said that Tanzania's "truly dynamic" coastal region is on its investment radar. grandma.
“The holistic approach to sustainable tourism is really finding a foothold on the continent, because so much of tourism here is linked to the environment. And so investors are seeing real sustainability here that is superior to some places,” Ms. Cherae Robinson explained.
The World Travel Awards have named Thanda Island “World's Leading Exclusive Private Island” for the past eight years. Like the coral off its pristine coastline, the island's reputation continues to develop and grow./.
