Mnarani Sea Turtle Conservation Pond: Guide 2025
The Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond (Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond) is a turtle rehabilitation sanctuary located at Nungwi, north Zanzibar rescuing green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) endangered species. Founded 1993, entrance fee 10,000 TZS (4 USD) adults, 5,000 TZS (2 USD) childrenhours 9:00-18:00 daily, visit 30-45 minutes includes feeding turtles, learning conservation, photography. Location 200 meters Nungwi Beach, walkable from Nungwi hotels. This guide explains what to see, prices, hours and how to contribute.
What is Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond?
History and mission
Founded 1993 by local Nungwi community protecting turtles accidentally caught by fishermen nets.
Mission: Rescue injured turtles → medical rehabilitation → education → ocean release.
Species housed:
- Green turtle (Chelonia mydas): Herbivore, endangered
- Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata): Critically endangered extinction
PondNatural salt water 15-20 meters in diameter, houses 15-25 turtles at the same time.
Importance conservation
ThreatsIndiscriminate fishing, habitat loss, plastic pollution, illegal hunting.
Critical populationSea turtles declined 90% last decades globally.
Ecosystem role: Control jellyfish, maintain coral reefs, fertilize beaches.
Experience visit to Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond
What to do
Feeding turtles: Staff provides lettuce/vegetables - throws food, turtles swim surface (unique experience children/adults).
Learning conservationGuides explain species, threats, rehabilitation (10-15 minutes).
Photography: Elevated walkway, clear waters allow for good photos.
ObserveNatural behavior - large tortoises 50+ years old, young ones rehabilitating.
Duration: 30-45 minutes.
Practical information
LocationNungwi, North Zanzibar - 200 meters Nungwi Beach.
Schedule: 9:00-18:00 daily (last admission 17:30).
Entrance:
- Adults: 10,000 TZS (4 USD)
- Children: 5,000 TZS (2 USD)
- Tanzanian residents: 5,000 TZS
How to get there: Walk from Nungwi hotels (5-10 min), cab Stone Town 70,000-80,000 TZS (30-35 USD, 1.5h), dala-dala 3,000 TZS.
What to bringCash (only cash TZS/USD), camera, sunscreen.
LanguageGuides speak English and Swahili.
How to contribute to Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond
Donations and support
Entrance100%: 100% income finances food, medicine, maintenance.
Additional donations: Voluntary output box.
SponsorshipContact us for individual options.
Volunteering
Opportunities: Occasionally accept volunteers (feeding, cleaning, education).
RequirementsMinimum stay 1-2 weeks, basic English.
Contact: Ask directly pond.
Responsible tourism
Local purchaseNungwi community handicrafts supporting the local economy.
Respect rulesDO NOT touch turtles, DO NOT enter water, follow instructions and guidelines.
Reduces plasticsUse reusable bottles, refuse plastic bags, collect garbage on beaches.
Species Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond
Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Features80-120 cm long, 100-200 kg weight, olive-green carapace, herbivorous.
StateEndangered (IUCN).
PondMost common species Mnarani.
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Featureslength 60-90 cm, weight 50-80 kg, single pattern shell.
StateCritically endangered (IUCN).
ThreatUsed carapace jewelry (illegal trade).
Pond: 2-4 individuals generally.
Nearby activities at Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond
Prison Island giant turtles
DifferencePrison Island = giant tortoises, Mnarani = sea turtles rehabilitation.
Tour40-50 USD (boat, entrance fee, guide) from Stone Town.
Jozani Forest monkeys
What isProtected forest endemic red colobus monkeys.
Entrance: 10 USD adults.
CombinableVisit Jozani in the morning, Mnarani in the afternoon.
Snorkeling/diving
Best sitesMnemba Atoll (diving 80-120 USD), snorkeling Nungwi Beach (15.000 TZS rental).
Best time to visit Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond
Less crowded schedules
Early morning (9:00-10:30 a.m.): Fewer tourists, more active turtles.
Afternoon (16:00-17:30): Quiet, good light photography.
Avoid 11:00-15:00More crowded group tours.
Season
All year round: Open 365 days, turtles always present.
Dry season (Jun-Oct)Weather: Better weather to combine other activities.
Wild nesting (Oct-Feb)Combines with observation of nesting beaches at night.
Frequently asked questions about Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond
What is the Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond and where is it?
The Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond (Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond) is a sea turtle rehabilitation sanctuary located at the Nungwi, north Zanzibar (200 meters Nungwi Beach) rescuing green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) endangered species caught by fishing nets or injured. Founded 1993 local community, rescue mission → medical rehabilitation → education → ocean release after recovery. PondSalt water 15-20 meters diameter housing 15-25 turtles simultaneously receiving food (lettuce, vegetables), medical treatment. How to get thereWalk to Nungwi hotels (5-10 min), cab Stone Town 70,000-80,000 TZS (30-35 USD, 1.5h), dala-dala 3,000 TZS. According to Sea Turtle Conservancyrehabilitation centers such as Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond are "vital survival of endangered marine species" and are successful community conservation models in East Africa.
How much does it cost to visit the Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond?
Visit Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond cost 10,000 TZS (4 USD) adults, 5,000 TZS (2 USD) children, 5,000 TZS (2 USD) residents Tanzania with schedule 9:00-18:00 daily (last admission 17:30). Experience includes(1) Feeding turtles (staff provide lettuce/vegetables, water food spears, turtles swim surface); (2) Conservation education (guides explain species, threats, rehabilitation 10-15 min); (3) Photography (elevated walkway, clear water); (4) Behavioral observation (turtles 50+ years old, juveniles rehabilitating). Duration: 30-45 minutes. PaymentsCash only TZS/USD (NO cards), voluntary donations box (100% income finances food, medicines). What to bringCash, camera, sunscreen. Comparison: Prison Island 40-50 USD, Jozani 10 USD - Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond economic educational option for families. According to TripAdvisorVisitors rate "excellent value for money" as a "must-do activity in Nungwi".
What can I do at the Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond?
At Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond you can: (1) Feeding turtles - staff provide lettuce/vegetables, throw food from gangway, sea turtles (green/shellfish) swim surface eat, unique interactive experience especially children; (2) Learning conservation - guides explain species present (green herbivore 100-200 kg, critically endangered hawksbill), threats (capture nets, ocean plastics, loss of nesting beaches), rehabilitation (treatment of wounds, feeding, release after healing), education 10-15 minutes; (3) Photography - elevated walkway allows photos of turtles swimming in clear water, turtles 50+ years old impressive size, good natural light mornings/evenings; (4) Observing behavior - turtles swimming, interacting, resting, natural behavior. Duration30-45 minutes is enough. RulesNO touching turtles, NO entering water, follow guide instructions. According to visitors, activity "educational, touching, appropriate for all ages" being "obligatory stop at Nungwi" where Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond offers accessible hands-on conservation experience.