Menai Bay Conservation Area, Marine conservation area in Zanzibar, Tanzania
The Menai Bay Conservation Area spans 470 square kilometers of marine environment with coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangrove forests along the coast.
The creation of this protected zone in 1997 came as a response to the environmental damage caused by destructive fishing methods during the 1980s and 1990s.
Local communities from nineteen villages participate in conservation committees to maintain traditional fishing practices while protecting marine resources for future generations.
Visitors can observe dolphins, explore coral reefs through snorkeling, and take guided boat tours operated by certified local guides throughout the conservation area.
The conservation project transformed local practices, as villagers shifted from hunting dolphins for food to leading dolphin-watching tours for international travelers.
Inception: 1997
GPS coordinates: -6.38333,39.36667
Latest update: March 6, 2025 12:06
Tanzania provides photographers with an extraordinary range of subjects, from the Serengeti plains to Zanzibar's coastline and Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). The country contains major wildlife reserves including Tarangire, where elephant herds move between baobab trees, and the Ngorongoro Crater, which holds a dense concentration of large mammals within its 100-square-mile (260-square-kilometer) caldera. Coastal regions and offshore islands like Mafia and Pemba offer opportunities to photograph coral reefs, sea turtles, and traditional dhow boats. The Mahale Mountains support habituated chimpanzee groups, while Selous Game Reserve presents riverine landscapes and diverse animal populations. Stone Town's historic quarter features Arab, Persian, and Indian architecture spanning several centuries, including the House of Wonders and the narrow alleys of the former trading port. The less visited Katavi National Park delivers scenes of hundreds of hippos crowding shrinking pools during the dry season. Kondoa rock art sites preserve prehistoric paintings dating back as far as 30,000 years. The active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai and alkaline Lake Natron with its flamingo flocks add geological interest. From the terraced hillsides of the Usambara Mountains to the wildflower meadows of Kitulo National Park, Tanzania covers nearly every photographic interest.
Old Slave Mart
13132.7 km
House of Wonders
31.6 km
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
17.2 km
Ikulu
48.7 km
Old Fort of Zanzibar
30.9 km
Palace Museum
31.6 km
National Museum of Tanzania
48.5 km
Askari Monument
49 km
Christ Church, Zanzibar
31.2 km
Forodhani Gardens
31.7 km
Saint Joseph's Cathedral, Dar es Salaam
49.3 km
Amaan Stadium
28.9 km
Darajani Market
31.2 km
Kizimkazi Mosque
12.4 km
Old Dispensary
31.6 km
St. Joseph's Cathedral, Zanzibar
31.5 km
Azania Front Lutheran Church
49.1 km
Uhuru Monument
49.4 km
Tongoni Ruins
20.3 km
Malindi Mosque
31.5 km
Kuumbi Cave, Zanzibar
19.6 km
Tippu Tip's House
31.5 km
Benjamin William Mkapa Pension Tower
48.9 km
Ijumaa Mosque
31.5 km
Makatumbe Range Rear Lighthouse
45.5 km
Chumbe Lighthouse
23.9 km
Princess Salme Museum, Zanzibar
31.4 km
Kariakoo Market
49.6 kmReviews
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