The Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond (Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond) is a turtle rehabilitation sanctuary located at Nungwi, north Zanzibar<\/a><\/strong> 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) children<\/strong>hours 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.<\/p>\n Founded 1993<\/strong> by local Nungwi community protecting turtles accidentally caught by fishermen nets.<\/p>\n Mission<\/strong>: Rescue injured turtles \u2192 medical rehabilitation \u2192 education \u2192 ocean release.<\/p>\n Species housed<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Pond<\/strong>Natural salt water 15-20 meters in diameter, houses 15-25 turtles at the same time.<\/p>\n Threats<\/strong>Indiscriminate fishing, habitat loss, plastic pollution, illegal hunting.<\/p>\n Critical population<\/strong>Sea turtles declined 90% last decades globally.<\/p>\n Ecosystem role<\/strong>: Control jellyfish, maintain coral reefs, fertilize beaches.<\/p>\n Feeding turtles<\/strong>: Staff provides lettuce\/vegetables - throws food, turtles swim surface (unique experience children\/adults).<\/p>\n Learning conservation<\/strong>Guides explain species, threats, rehabilitation (10-15 minutes).<\/p>\n Photography<\/strong>: Elevated walkway, clear waters allow for good photos.<\/p>\n Observe<\/strong>Natural behavior - large tortoises 50+ years old, young ones rehabilitating.<\/p>\n Duration<\/strong>: 30-45 minutes.<\/p>\n Location<\/strong>Nungwi, North Zanzibar - 200 meters Nungwi Beach.<\/p>\n Schedule<\/strong>: 9:00-18:00 daily (last admission 17:30).<\/p>\n Entrance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n How to get there<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n What to bring<\/strong>Cash (only cash TZS\/USD), camera, sunscreen.<\/p>\n Language<\/strong>Guides speak English and Swahili.<\/p>\n Entrance<\/strong>100%: 100% income finances food, medicine, maintenance.<\/p>\n Additional donations<\/strong>: Voluntary output box.<\/p>\n Sponsorship<\/strong>Contact us for individual options.<\/p>\n Opportunities<\/strong>: Occasionally accept volunteers (feeding, cleaning, education).<\/p>\n Requirements<\/strong>Minimum stay 1-2 weeks, basic English.<\/p>\n Contact<\/strong>: Ask directly pond.<\/p>\n Local purchase<\/strong>Nungwi community handicrafts supporting the local economy.<\/p>\n Respect rules<\/strong>DO NOT touch turtles, DO NOT enter water, follow instructions and guidelines.<\/p>\n Reduces plastics<\/strong>Use reusable bottles, refuse plastic bags, collect garbage on beaches.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong>80-120 cm long, 100-200 kg weight, olive-green carapace, herbivorous.<\/p>\n State<\/strong>Endangered (IUCN).<\/p>\n Pond<\/strong>Most common species Mnarani.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong>length 60-90 cm, weight 50-80 kg, single pattern shell.<\/p>\n State<\/strong>Critically endangered (IUCN).<\/p>\n Threat<\/strong>Used carapace jewelry (illegal trade).<\/p>\n Pond<\/strong>: 2-4 individuals generally.<\/p>\n Difference<\/strong>Prison Island = giant tortoises, Mnarani = sea turtles rehabilitation.<\/p>\n Tour<\/strong>40-50 USD (boat, entrance fee, guide) from Stone Town.<\/p>\n What is<\/strong>Protected forest endemic red colobus monkeys.<\/p>\n Entrance<\/strong>: 10 USD adults.<\/p>\n Combinable<\/strong>Visit Jozani in the morning, Mnarani in the afternoon.<\/p>\n Best sites<\/strong>Mnemba Atoll (diving 80-120 USD), snorkeling Nungwi Beach (15.000 TZS rental).<\/p>\n Early morning (9:00-10:30 a.m.)<\/strong>: Fewer tourists, more active turtles.<\/p>\n Afternoon (16:00-17:30)<\/strong>: Quiet, good light photography.<\/p>\n Avoid 11:00-15:00<\/strong>More crowded group tours.<\/p>\n All year round<\/strong>: Open 365 days, turtles always present.<\/p>\n Dry season (Jun-Oct)<\/strong>Weather: Better weather to combine other activities.<\/p>\n Wild nesting (Oct-Feb)<\/strong>Combines with observation of nesting beaches at night.<\/p>\n The Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/strong> (Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond) is a sea turtle rehabilitation sanctuary located at the Nungwi, north Zanzibar<\/strong> (200 meters Nungwi Beach) rescuing green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) endangered species caught by fishing nets or injured. Founded 1993<\/strong> local community, rescue mission \u2192 medical rehabilitation \u2192 education \u2192 ocean release after recovery. Pond<\/strong>Salt water 15-20 meters diameter housing 15-25 turtles simultaneously receiving food (lettuce, vegetables), medical treatment. How to get there<\/strong>Walk 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 Conservancy<\/a>rehabilitation centers such as Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/strong> are \"vital survival of endangered marine species\" and are successful community conservation models in East Africa.<\/p>\n Visit Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/strong> cost 10,000 TZS (4 USD) adults, 5,000 TZS (2 USD) children, 5,000 TZS (2 USD) residents Tanzania<\/strong> with schedule 9:00-18:00 daily<\/strong> (last admission 17:30). Experience includes<\/strong>(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<\/strong>: 30-45 minutes. Payments<\/strong>Cash only TZS\/USD (NO cards), voluntary donations box (100% income finances food, medicines). What to bring<\/strong>Cash, camera, sunscreen. Comparison: Prison Island 40-50 USD, Jozani 10 USD - Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/strong> economic educational option for families. According to TripAdvisor<\/a>Visitors rate \"excellent value for money\" as a \"must-do activity in Nungwi\".<\/p>\n At Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/strong> you can: (1) Feeding turtles<\/strong> - staff provide lettuce\/vegetables, throw food from gangway, sea turtles (green\/shellfish) swim surface eat, unique interactive experience especially children; (2) Learning conservation<\/strong> - 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<\/strong> - elevated walkway allows photos of turtles swimming in clear water, turtles 50+ years old impressive size, good natural light mornings\/evenings; (4) Observing behavior<\/strong> - turtles swimming, interacting, resting, natural behavior. Duration<\/strong>30-45 minutes is enough. Rules<\/strong>NO 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<\/strong> offers accessible hands-on conservation experience.<\/p>\n\n\nWhat is Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond?<\/h2>\n
History and mission<\/h3>\n
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Importance conservation<\/h3>\n
Experience visit to Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/h2>\n
What to do<\/h3>\n
Practical information<\/h3>\n
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How to contribute to Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/h2>\n
Donations and support<\/h3>\n
Volunteering<\/h3>\n
Responsible tourism<\/h3>\n
Species Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/h2>\n
Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)<\/h3>\n
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)<\/h3>\n
Nearby activities at Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/h2>\n
Prison Island giant turtles<\/h3>\n
Jozani Forest monkeys<\/h3>\n
Snorkeling\/diving<\/h3>\n
Best time to visit Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/h2>\n
Less crowded schedules<\/h3>\n
Season<\/h3>\n
Frequently asked questions about Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond<\/h2>\n
What is the Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond and where is it?<\/h3>\n
How much does it cost to visit the Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond?<\/h3>\n
What can I do at the Mnarani sea turtle conservation pond?<\/h3>\n