Bongoyo Island

BONGOYO ISLAND For a great day trip, one may head out to Bongoyo Island, which is a small, uninhabited island just off the coast. The boat to Bongoyo leaves from Slipway, along Msasani Peninsula, north of Dar-Es-Salaam. A taxi from the city center may cost Tanzanian Shillings 10,000. The first boat leaves at 9.30 am, while others at 11.30 am, 13.30 pm and 15.30 pm, with a minimum of four people. FAUNA AND FLORA  The Island has forest with vegetation described as bush land with emergent trees. Plant species are chiefly characteristic of the dry land coastal forest of East Africa. About 59 plant families are found in Bongoyo. Both island of Bongoyo and Mbudya have very similar vegetation type differing by few aspects. Sand dunes of these islands are colonized by pioneer species such as Cyperus crassipes, Crotolaria laburuodes, Tephrosia pumila var aldabresis, T. pumila var dumesis, Asytasia gangentica and Ipomoea pesi-caprae.The presence of these species in the beaches signifies the potential of sand dunes to act as seed banks. Exploitation of species is mainly for the purposes of fuel wood and building. Most affected species include Sideroxylon inerme, Manilkara sulcata, Mimusops fruticosa, Haplocoelum inoploeum and Vitex sp. Sustainable use of plant products is seen with Adansonia digitata and Tamarindus indica whose coat are edible while Salvadora twigs are used to clean teeth. The Seward coral line edges of both islands are covered with Pemplus acidula bushes. The sand beaches edges are covered by Casuarina equistifiolia, Sideroxylon inerme, Manilkara sulcata, Mamusops fruticosa and Vitex spp. Three orchid species found in these islands are recorded to fall under appendix II of cites Enlophia petersii, Oeceoclades zanzibarica and Vanilla roscheri. Coffee species are found in Bongoyo to be new and undescribed, Coffee pseudozanbariae and Vitex sp occur in both islands and seems to be un-described and endemic species Sea grasses and SeaweedsSea grasses includes species of Thallasodendron ciliatum, Halophila cuinervis, Cymodocea rotundata, Halophila ovalis and Syringodium isoetifolium. The algal species includes Jania spp, Codium spp, Padina spp, Sargassum spp and Dictyota spp. Fauna Fishes around the coral reef and the seagrass beds includes Butterfly fish Chaetodontidae, Sweet lips Haemulidae, Grouper, Serranidae and banded coral shrimps Stenopus hispidus. Other intertidal organisms includes Sea urchin (Diadema sp), Giant clamps (Tridacna sp), Octopus (Octopodidea), Tigger cowry, (Cyprea tigris), Starfish (Protoreaster linck), Cushion starts (Oreasteridae) Nudibranchia, Hermit crabs (Anomura), Edible sea cucumbers (Holothuridae) and Sea turtles are reported to be frequently seen by the divers over the reefs.Two species of Hawksbill (Eretmochely imbricata) and Green turtles Chilonea mydas are reported to occur around Bongoyo and Mbudya islands.The forest also harbors variety of animals. Mammal inside the forest includes different types rats, reptiles includes different types lizards and snakes and different types of birds and butterflies. Fishing or any other resource user in the reserve areas is prohibited. Illegal fishing, such as dynamites, seine nets and spear guns do occur around the reserve areas. Frequently patrols are conducted to deal with such fishers. Fishing gears used around the buffer zone of the reserves area are hand lines mademma traps and ring nets Visitation Many visitors’ rich islands through Msasani Slipways and DSM Yatch Club. Few visitors come to Bongoyo through other hotels. Facilities Available: On the island there are mooring sites where the visiting boats anchor. There are 2 mooring buoys at the landing site that are used by the visiting boats as anchors. There are number of bandas on the sand beach for resting (roof only). Msasani Slipway has a mobile bar, which serve cold drinks and can serve fish and chips for visitors. The staff ensures that the area is clean and tidy at the end of the day.There is one Honorary Ranger who is always at the island with responsibilities of guiding the visitors Provide First Aid when needed.Watching on any illegal resources use around the island and report to MPRU office including monitoring of entrance into the MPAs Ensuring the clearness of the island. WHAT TO SEE AND DO AT BONGOYO ISLAND MARINE RESERVE Bongoyo Island is one of the four Marine Reserves in the Dar Marine Reserves. The island has unique features that have all the beauties for an Island. Visiting the area one can be attracted by the soft, white sandy beach.Water lovers will quite simply have great fun. Snorkeling just some distance offshore will reveal a colorful landscape of living corals, marine life and some of the resident fish. If lazing on pure white beaches or splashing about in the warm Indian Ocean isn't enough to fill your days, you'll find plenty of other distractions waiting to tempt you. SHARK’S LAGOON NATURE TRAIL: The sharks and the octopus: At high tides it's common to gaze school of young sharks swimming ashore the Indian Ocean at the lagoon. The Sharks are so common during the months of April, May and June. However, they are also seen almost throughout the year. Sharks feed on Octopus.The Shark's lagoon is a spawning site for Octopus. At low tides its common to gaze allot of young Octopus. Octopus is a typical marine creature to be seen at Bongoyo intertidal pools. SHARK'S LAGOON CAVE: At high tides it’s pleasurable to snorkel in the lagoon, particularly around the cave. Allot of marine life forms are seen pursuing their life support functions.At low tide the cave's scenic is so enthralling. The waves splash at high tides give its own scintillations for the eyes and the mind.