Chumbe Island: Guided Forest Walk with Wildlife Spotting

Highlights

• Immerse yourself in the lush biodiversity of Chumbe Island's coral rag forest
• Learn about the island’s geology and plant adaptations from your guide
• Spot birds, hermit crabs, and skinks in their natural habitat
• Discover the medicinal uses of local trees and shrubs
• See fossilized structures of corals and giant clams from 15,000 years ago

Description

Explore the southern part of the dense coral rag forest on Chumbe Island. Venture this trail on your own or join a one-hour guided forest walk where you learn more about the island’s geology, plant adaptations to survive without groundwater, medicinal uses of local trees and shrubs, and hidden fauna that are difficult to spot. Follow the footpath leading down into a large, intertidal pool overgrown with mangroves and shaded by huge baobab trees. The seawater rises and falls with the tides and you may observe scurrying rock crabs and species adapted to these conditions. See the fossilized structures of corals and giant clams. Chumbe Island was once a thriving coral reef that became exposed when sea levels dropped more than 15,000 years ago. Try to identify these ancient 15,000-year-old fossils in the rocky, lunar landscape on the eastern side of the island where salt sprays from the sea prevent vegetation from settling. Immerse yourself in the most biodiverse coral rag forest habitat in the region, hosting ~180 plant species. See how many species you can identify with ID cards, or learn about their medicinal uses from your guide. Spot birds playing in the thicket, hermit crabs crawling over leaves, speckle-lipped skinks chasing up trees, or yellow-headed dwarf geckos resting on the ground. If you are very lucky, you might even spot the elusive and critically endangered Aders Duiker antelope that tend to stay in the northern part of the island.

Includes

Private transfer pick up and drop-off (If option Selected) Boat transfer from/to Mbweni Ruins hotel to the island Freshly cooked lunch Soda, water, and snacks Tour guide Snorkeling equipment Snorkeling lesson if required Guided walk through the forest trails and intertidal area (in case of low tide) All taxes

Important Information

• The trail is in a dense coral rag forest The area is home to diverse wildlife including some endangered species The trail includes rocky and uneven terrain

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund