Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond
Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond
Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond
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4.0
853 reviews
Excellent
393
Very good
281
Average
116
Poor
24
Terrible
39
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O Clayton
Beckenham, UK11 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Brilliant cause helping injured turtles recover if they are caught in fishermen nets or are sick. You also see where the babies are kept until they are released too. In the main area you can feed the turtles seaweed and touch their backs but this place shouldn’t be mistaken for another local turtle ‘aquarium’ as they aren’t looking after the turtles ethically. Mnarani is the best place to go to see and support the turtles!
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WeeStepherz
Dubai, United Arab Emirates98 contributions
July 2021 • Couples
This is not a sanctuary. This is a money making tourist trap and quite simply filled with posers taking the best shots for their social media. There is NO care for the turtles at all. People picking them up above their heads, kissing them, constantly touching them. If this was about the care of the animals, none of these things would happen. If I could pay to release the turtles back to the ocean I would. Poor things do not deserve the treatment here. Any genuine animal lovers would be horrified at this place.
Written 27 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ioana D
London, UK2 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
This isn't the real turtle sanctuary, but a business where the turtles are kept for profit. I had my doubts about the whole venture when I saw the number of turtles kept in a very small pond, that tourists wearing sunscreen and mosquito repellant (harmful for turtles) are allowed to swim with them. Also, the turtles appeared to be constantly hungry, fighting for whatever seaweed tourists would throw at them to get them to approach.
My doubts were confirms when I left, walked around the corner and saw the real sanctuary. There they explained that the other place is a business that has nothing to do with turtle preservation and release. I was very disappointed with myself for supporting what is in fact a scam. I'd recommend you avoid this place if you care about the welfare of the turtles and support the real sanctuary.
My doubts were confirms when I left, walked around the corner and saw the real sanctuary. There they explained that the other place is a business that has nothing to do with turtle preservation and release. I was very disappointed with myself for supporting what is in fact a scam. I'd recommend you avoid this place if you care about the welfare of the turtles and support the real sanctuary.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francois T
Johannesburg, South Africa1,623 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
Having the opportunity to swim, touch and feed the turtles were absolutely amazing and at $10 per person not too much for the experience. It was too crowded and they try and sell the use of snorkel gear for extra $5. Take your own if you have but it is not needed. Would also recommend they manage the number of people.
Written 18 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael T
San Jose, CA25 contributions
Mar 2021
If you're in Zanzibar, I'd say this place is worth a visit. Not sure where else you can swim with turtles in a pond. Price was $10 per person. If you needed snorkeling gear, you had to pay extra for it. The staff had attitudes. The turtles were cool. We spent about 40 minutes there. It got crowded, they should probably limit the crowds. The water was dirty.
Written 24 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
diana c
123 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
I have given this a 5 star because the conservation is what it's all about rather than the experience. Having said that for $10 dollar entrance its informative and fun you can feed and swim with the Turtles , the guides speak good English and know their stuff. Of course litter plays a huge part of trying to preserve this species ,on the walk along the beach the area around the local boat/fishermen is absolutely full of plastics of all kinds !! horrendous, there are many excuses made for this but noone seems to take responsibility especially the locals who are among the worst offenders !!. We visited Timbatu the Island the Turtle eggs are taken to where they are un disturbed , there are no tourists there except the occasional day visitor and they are few and far between ,it is absolutely full of litter of all kinds . Zanzibar needs to get a grip on this to preserve wildlife and encourage Tourisim.
Even the beach just infront of the Sanctuary has lots of litter, the guides seem oblivious to it even though it is a main cause of death to the Turtles.
Have add I am a litter picker back in the UK so do put my money where my mouth is !!
The restaurant at the entrance Mixed Seafood is lovely, had a great breakfast there.
Even the beach just infront of the Sanctuary has lots of litter, the guides seem oblivious to it even though it is a main cause of death to the Turtles.
Have add I am a litter picker back in the UK so do put my money where my mouth is !!
The restaurant at the entrance Mixed Seafood is lovely, had a great breakfast there.
Written 11 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pierrevz
Hartbeespoort, South Africa1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Couples
Totally over commercialized and over crowded - the more tourists they can push thru per day the better!
Rush in, try to squeeze thru to the pool, feed a few turtles some seaweed and snap a few quick photos.
Did not get any impression of a sanctuary or rehabilitation being done.
For what they are charging per person, they can also fix the horrible access road.
Felt exploited!!
Rush in, try to squeeze thru to the pool, feed a few turtles some seaweed and snap a few quick photos.
Did not get any impression of a sanctuary or rehabilitation being done.
For what they are charging per person, they can also fix the horrible access road.
Felt exploited!!
Written 19 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosa Hand
Zurich, Switzerland1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Friends
Our desire was to see Zanzibar's conservation centres, and we had researched the refuge online. When you first walk in, you assume you'll only be there for 30 minutes, but we ended up staying for almost an hour and would have stayed longer if we hadn't been pressed for time. Entry is $10. Our personal guide was outstanding and had perfect English. For until long we wished, we could feed the turtles by hand. We also had the option to intervene on their behalf, but we decided against it. After that, we were shown the remainder of the centre and told about the 400 dolphins that the tsunami had washed up. This centre was excellent to see, particularly as it focusses on the
Written 26 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
679kerenb
Bristol, England, United Kingdom10 contributions
July 2024 • Family
We were keen to visit conservation centres in Zanzibar and had read about the sanctuary online. It's a 10 dollar entry & when you initially walk in, you think you'll only be there for 30 minutes, but we spent over an hour & would have stayed longer if we hadn't been constrained by time. We had an individual guide who was fantastic & spoke excellent English. We were able to hand feed the turtles for as long as we wanted & could have stepped in with them too but we opted not to. We were then taken around the rest of the centre & learnt about the 400 dolphins washed up as a result of the tsunami. This was a great centre to visit especially as it's all about the conservation.
Written 14 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippe R
Scherwiller, France73 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Great experience, we had read lots of negative reviews (after booking) and so we were a little scared. Arriving there, pleasant surprise, few people, the water was clean and we were able to enjoy swimming with the turtles. It's quite impressive at first but after a few minutes you get used to it, don't hesitate to gently push the turtles away if they are too close for your liking. We visited the small zoo just behind and we were also very happy, they let us enter the cage with some very nice little monkeys. I would do it again without hesitation.
Written 6 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you purchase a ticket at the door or need to book in advance? Thank u
Written 23 January 2020
At what time does this pond opens? And closes?
Should we wear our bathing suits underneath before entering the location ?
Written 15 July 2019
We were there around 1400 and was open, and if you plan to swim with them then you must have a bathing suit 😊
Written 15 July 2019
How can I reach the place if I'm in Nungwi? Is it possible and safe to go by the beachside?
Written 17 November 2018
Hi Tobias. It is basically in Nungwi on the north east side of it. I walked through Nungwi village. A beautiful experience. Full of smiles and cute children. Only a bit difficult to find the way. I did not walk along the beach. I guess it's possible at least at low tide even if you better ask the locals. It is not difficult to find people who speaks english and wverybody's helpful in Zanzibar. Perhaps you can do both (beach and village)
Written 17 November 2018
Hallo Sabine und guten Morgen oder Jambo.
Einfach zu deine Info. Die Schildkröten Aufzucht ist ganz oben in Nungwi, und das was du hier beschreibst ist ja in Stone Town. Das sind 2 total verschiedene Orte. Wünsche einen schöne Tag und Gruss aus Sansibar, Stone Town, Kiponda Street.
Written 5 July 2018
Where exactly dolphins are around the island please ? Dont know where exactly to book a place I can stay and see them most ..
Written 27 March 2018
Ask at local people about dolphins tour. They will definitely give you the best option for you. Excursion with hotels they are very expensive. We payed 75$ for 2 person with locals guys ( dolphins tour and Jordan ) and with hotels were 500$ for both.
Written 7 April 2018
Hi there, sadly it won’t be possible. As this place is a sanctuary for turtles, and some are being rehabilitated. Touching them isn’t allowed. But they allow ppl to feed the turtles With the green the caretakers provide. It’s is amazing to get close to them and feed them. And a good experience for children.
Written 18 July 2018
Светлана, здравствуйте! Меня зовут Анастасия(Ростов-на-Дону), хотела бы узнать подробности о пляже Нунгви. Я могу вам отправить почту, а там уже узнать ваш мобильный? или же здесь задать вопрос?
Written 29 November 2017
Добрый день! Можете здесь писать. Мне сразу приходят оповещения на почту. Можете в ОК найти Светлана (Остапущенко) Комлева, там я тоже каждый день в онлайне. Даже чаще, чем здесь.
А что именно вас интересует о Нунгви? Я вроде в своем отзыве все отразила. Ну, может без подробностей...
Written 30 November 2017
ciao, a fine mese vado a zanzibar con i miei 3 ragazzi, potresti gentilmente indicarmi il nome della riserva dove possibile nutrire e nuotare con le tartarughe? grazie mille
Written 2 October 2017
Ciao, la riserva a Nungwi è solo questa dove hai fatto la domanda. Qui curano e crescono le tartarughe per poi liberarle nell'oceano ... ma non potrete fare il bagno insieme a loro. Potrete dargli da mangiare e fare foto.
Se sarete fortunati le tartarughe le vedrete solo durante eventuali snorkeling nella zona di Memba / Pemba.Buon viaggio
Written 4 October 2017
What are days and timings of operation of this place?
Written 25 August 2017
9am to 6pm 5 dollars entrance fee
Written 13 September 2017
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