andBeyond Mnemba Island

In June 2023, a 629-acre radius of additional protection around Mnemba Island was created in a groundbreaking public-private partnership between a dBeyond, Zanzibar's Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Marine Protected Area authorities and community stakeholders. Conservation and community benefits include the success of coral reef restoration initiatives, a recovery in reef health, fish populations and habitat biodiversity and  increased local community revenues.

Mnemba Island hosts a vital breeding sanctuary for the endangered green sea turtle. The island team is continuing the 24-year legacy of continuous turtle nest monitoring and protection. Guests can join staff for an unforgettable green-turtle nesting adventure while learning about the critical conservation work being done by Oceans Without Borders, a marine conservation initiative founded by a dBeyond and Wild Impact.

What started as a legacy andBeyond lodge internship opportunity is now a fully-fledged collective endeavour in partnership with Wild Impact. The Stars-in-Training programme provides hands-on work experience opportunities, redefining the employment potential for young people from local communities. A complement of 14 teaching stewards within the Echo Environmental Education programme has supported a sevenfold increase in school conservation lessons.

The 2024 rebuild of andBeyond Mnemba Island lodge included significant sustainability elements: a solar farm, complemented by the use of solar panels on all back-of-house roofing space and a greywater recycling system stores treated water for re-use in the lodge's laundry cycles. The longstanding discipline of a twice-daily collection of beach waste that has washed up on the shoreline continues. Over 1 700 lbs is collected each year, supporting the protection of this fragile marine environment.

Ongoing land-based conservation projects on Mnemba Island include the thriving population of endangered Aders' duiker. This initiative started with the translocation of five antelope in 2005. Other projects include an indigenous tree nursery. Established in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, the thousands of trees grown will support the reforestation of depleted areas.