Mnarani Aquarium

The Sea Turtle lagoon is a natural lagoon separated from the Indian Ocean by a few meters of old reef rocks… but the tide within the lagoon is a clear indication that the connection with the Ocean is open.
A wooden pier was built on one half of the lagoon, allowing a better access to the Sea Turtles, offering a second information pavilion as well as a small interaction platform.

The center also offers several smaller pools to keep the baby and juvenile Sea Turtles, to treat injured or sick Sea Turtles, as well as some other large vivariums to keep other indigenous wildlife.

“Trash to Treasures” creative recycling/up cycling project

In Zanzibar, waste is a problem of growing concern, as there are no functioning waste management systems in place. Since June 2016, The aquarium has been working with World Unite under the direction of the team member Lisa by running several activities in Nungwi that have the aim to raise awareness amongst the local population about the waste problem and to support them in the creation of useful items for everyday life from recycled materials, which might even generate a small additional income to them.

Volunteers are creating useful and decorative everyday items from waste materials. At the marine turtle bungalow accommodation you will find some furniture and decorative objects which were made by volunteers.

They include the use of “bottle cutters”, which allow the cutting of strings from plastic bottles that can then be used to weave curtains, nets for chairs and many other things. Lisa and the volunteers are also making “ubuntublox”: Soft plastic such as plastic bags and foil material are pressed in a self-made compactor to form blocks that can be used to build inexpensive and resource saving walls.

This made the expansion of the lagoon as an extra of the working tour guided by our experienced local guides.

For more information visit Manarni website.