Certified · Intimate scale · Africa
Chumbe Island Coral Park
Researched and sourced by hand. Last reviewed 2026-08-06.
No photography of this property is on the record yet. We would rather show you nothing than a picture of somewhere else.
Each pathway scores 0 to 3 on the quality of the evidence published, not on the quality of the property. Open a row for every claim and its source.
Air Quality2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Filtration, ventilation and what the air is measured at.
- Specified
The architectural design sheets published on the property's own download page describe the bungalow roof as a wind catcher, opened to the sea during the south west monsoon with a closing ventilation louvre for storms, and raised above the tree line to catch the breeze during the north east monsoon.
The roof acts as a wind catcher. During the south-west monsoon it is open to the sea with a closing ventilation louvre in the case of storms. During the north-east monsoon the roof is high enough to catch the breeze which blows above the tree line.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
The same architectural sheets name the guest bathroom compost toilet as based on the Swedish Clivus Multrum Compost Toilet System and state that its ventilation exit sits above roof level with suction in the ventilation pipe, described in the source as ensuring an odour free environment.
The ventilation exit is located above the roof level and the suction in the ventilation pipe ensures an odour-free environment. [...] The compost toilet system on Chumbe Island is based on the Swedish "Clivus Multrum Compost Toilet System", which proves 60 years of successful operation.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
In an article by CHICOP director Sibylle Riedmiller dated 31 January 2024, the property states that guests regulate the flow of the sea breeze through the bungalow using hand woven mat panels, and that no air conditioning is fitted.
Guests can regulate the flow of the sea breeze through the bungalow with hand-woven mat panels. Thus no energy-demanding air-conditioning is required.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), article hosted by Greening the Islands Foundation, Chumbe Island in Zanzibar: 25 years a Pioneer of Zero-impact Eco-architecture and Operations. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Claimed
The same director's article states that gas stoves were selected as the cooking energy for the restaurant after trialling solar box cookers, a parabolic solar cooker, a low pressure gas cooker, kerosene cookers and charcoal stoves, with no appliance specification or kitchen extract detail given.
Of the several options examined, gas stoves were the most appropriate and cost-effective option.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), article hosted by Greening the Islands Foundation, Chumbe Island in Zanzibar: 25 years a Pioneer of Zero-impact Eco-architecture and Operations. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06.
What would move this score
- What filter grade is fitted to guest room air handling, for example MERV 13 or HEPA H13?
- What is the fresh air supply rate per person in a guest room?
- Are carbon dioxide, particulate or volatile organic compound levels measured, and are the readings published?
- Is there a mould inspection and remediation protocol, and when was it last run?
- Are there gas cooktops, fireplaces or other combustion sources inside guest rooms?
Water Integrity2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Source, treatment, tested panels and how drinking water arrives.
- Specified
The architectural design sheets state the island has no fresh water source other than rain, and that roof rainwater is funnelled through a sandstone filter into a cistern forming the base of each guest bungalow, supplying drinking and washing water.
Chumbe Island has no source of fresh water other than rain. Therefore rainwater catchment provides the most feasible water supply for drinking and washing. From the roof of each building the rain water is funnelled via a sandstone filter into a cistern which forms the base of each Guest Bungalow and parts of the Visitors' Centre.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
The same sheets describe a combined filter and foul flush inlet unit that diverts the first rainwater flush before the second flush passes through the sandstone filter into the cistern.
The rain water inlets of the cistern function as a combined filter and 'foul flush' unit. These separate the first, rather 'dirty' rain water flush, from the 'cleaner' second flush which then enters the cistern through the sandstone filter.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
The accommodation page states each bungalow cistern holds up to 15,000 litres, which the property says is sufficient to supply that bungalow's bathroom taps and shower for a year. The figure is a storage capacity and no water quality test accompanies it.
Each bungalow cistern can hold up to 15,000 litres of water, sufficient to supply the bathroom taps and shower units for the entire year.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park, Accommodation, Chumbe Island, Unguja in Zanzibar. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
The director's own article of 31 January 2024 states that drinking water is supplied in recycled and refillable glass bottles, with no treatment step described for the drinking supply.
Drinking water is supplied in recycled and refillable glass bottles, while organic waste is composted for re-use in composting toilets, while all inorganic waste is taken off the island.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), article hosted by Greening the Islands Foundation, Chumbe Island in Zanzibar: 25 years a Pioneer of Zero-impact Eco-architecture and Operations. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06.
What would move this score
- What is the water source, and what treatment is applied before it reaches a guest room?
- Is there a published contaminant test panel, and which laboratory ran it?
- Is shower and bath water filtered, and to what specification?
- How are pools and spas sanitised, and is the chemistry published?
- How is drinking water delivered, and is it treated on site?
Light Rhythm2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Circadian lighting specification, flicker, blackout and daylight.
- Specified
The director's article of 31 January 2024 states that walkways, nature trails and beach areas carry no artificial illumination and that guests are issued solar powered torches for moving between bungalows and the restaurant at night.
To protect nocturnal wildlife from light pollution, the walkways, nature trails and beach areas are not artificially illuminated. Guests are given solar powered torches for walking along the pathways between the eco-bungalows and the Restaurant at night.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), article hosted by Greening the Islands Foundation, Chumbe Island in Zanzibar: 25 years a Pioneer of Zero-impact Eco-architecture and Operations. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
The design concept panel of the architectural sheets states that the bungalow roof shades the interior from sun and rain and that only the evening sun enters the building.
The roof protects the guests from sun and rain. Only the evening sun can enter the building. The solid base of the bungalow protects from insects and water.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06.
What would move this score
- Is guest room lighting tunable or circadian, and what specification is published?
- What colour temperatures are used in the evening, and are fixtures flicker free?
- Do sleeping areas have full blackout, and is it specified?
- What daylight access does a typical room have?
- Is exterior lighting shielded or reduced overnight?
EMF Harmony0Not published, 0 of 3.
Not published0 of 3 · Wired versus wireless topology, and what is measured where people sleep.
We looked for published information on EMF Harmony and found none. That is a gap in the public record, not a finding about the property.
What would move this score
- Are guest rooms wired for data, or is access wireless only?
- Where are wireless access points and smart meters placed relative to the bed?
- Have field levels been measured in sleeping areas, and by whom?
- Can a guest have wireless disabled in their room on request?
- Is any shielded cabling or shielding material specified in the build?
Materials and Textiles2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Named materials, finishes, bedding composition and cleaning chemistry.
- Specified
The architectural sheets name the bungalow frame material as slender casuarina poles bound with coconut rope.
The slender poles from local casuarina-trees are bound together with coconut rope.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
The same sheets name the roofing material as makuti, made from coconut palm leaves.
The roof is nearly coverd on both sides with 'makuti', the local roofing material made from coconut palm trees.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
The accommodation page states the property is a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and single use plastic free, and that goods are transported in locally made biodegradable baskets rather than plastic packaging.
As signatories and ambassadors of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, Chumbe Island has avoided using plastics since its early days and is a single-use plastic free island.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park, Accommodation, Chumbe Island, Unguja in Zanzibar. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06.
What would move this score
- What are the mattresses made of, and are they treated with flame retardants?
- What is the fibre content of the linen, and is it certified, for example to GOTS or OEKO TEX?
- Which paints, adhesives and sealants were specified, and are they low emission?
- What cleaning and laundry products are used, and is the list published?
- Are there named low emission certifications on the flooring or joinery?
Food and Kitchen2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Sourcing, on site growing, cookware, kitchen water and additive discipline.
- Specified
The property publishes the Zanzibar Sustainable Seafood Guide, which it wrote itself and describes as an awareness tool for the tourism industry and consumers. It rates species by fishing method, location, size and maturity. It is the property's own document rather than third party verification, it grades species conservation rather than this kitchen's sourcing, and no purchasing policy for the restaurant is published.
the fishing method, the fishing location, the size of the seafood, its age of maturity and eating local
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park, Zanzibar Sustainable Seafood Guide. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Claimed
The accommodation page states that all food products are sourced from local community fishers and farmers, with no supplier named, no share quantified and no verification published.
Food products are all sourced from local community fishers and farmers.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park, Accommodation, Chumbe Island, Unguja in Zanzibar. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Claimed
The accommodation page asks guests to declare dietary needs and allergies before arrival and states that vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and lactose free dishes are available, with no additive or cooking oil position published.
Please let us know before your visit if you have any dietary needs or allergies. Our cuisine includes a variety of vegan, vegetarian, gluten and lactose-free dishes.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park, Accommodation, Chumbe Island, Unguja in Zanzibar. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06.
What would move this score
- What share of produce is grown on site or sourced locally, and is it verified?
- Which cooking oils are used, and is the policy published?
- What cookware is used in the kitchen?
- Is kitchen and ice water filtered, and to what specification?
- Is there a published position on additives, preservatives or allergens?
Biophilic and Healing Design2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Nature access, views, volume and natural material contact, designed with intent.
- Specified
The architectural sheets, credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche with architectural design by Georg Fiebig, Jan Hulsemann and Per Krusche, publish the design intent for the seven bungalows: units placed into existing clearings in the coral rag forest, giving protection from sun, rain and insects and using wind for ventilation.
The Guest Bungalows are small units carefully placed into natural clearings in the coral rag forest. Without disturbing the surrounding nature they offer protection from sun, rain and insects, and use the wind for ventilation.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Specified
The same sheets state that the position of each bungalow was set by the sea view and the surrounding natural features, and that the elevated base forms the living platform with a sea outlook. A sectional drawing of a guest bungalow is published at a 0 to 10 metre scale.
The position of the bungalow was determined by the seaview and the natural surrounding features.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP), Architectural Plan, design sheets credited to fiebig hulsemann krusche. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06. - Claimed
The accommodation page states the bungalows are very open, including the upper sleeping platforms, and describes a king size bed on a sleeping platform under a palm thatched roof.
the bungalows are very open (including the upstairs sleeping platforms)
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park, Accommodation, Chumbe Island, Unguja in Zanzibar. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06.
What would move this score
- Does every guest room have direct outdoor access or an operable opening?
- What is the published design intent behind the natural materials used?
- What are the typical ceiling heights and room volumes?
- Was the landscape designed with native planting, and is the palette published?
Sound and Sensory Ecology1Claimed, 1 of 3.
Claimed1 of 3 · Measured background noise, separation between keys, and scent load.
- Claimed
In guidance written for families, the property states that the bungalows sit in relatively close proximity where sound travelling is concerned. No acoustic separation specification and no measured noise level are published.
The bungalows are also located in relatively close proximity when it comes to sound travelling.
PublishedChumbe Island Coral Park, Accommodation, Chumbe Island, Unguja in Zanzibar. Checked 2026-08-06. Archived copy from 2026-08-06.
What would move this score
- What is the measured background noise level in a guest room at night?
- What acoustic separation is specified between adjoining keys?
- How loud is the guest room air conditioning at its lowest setting?
- Is fragrance diffused into guest rooms or public areas, and can it be declined?
38 open questions could be answered with information this property already holds. Answer these for this property
Where you’ll be
Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
-6.2775, 39.1831 · Open the full map · © OpenStreetMap contributors
What is not publishedthe gaps we looked for and did not find
Chumbe publishes no air, water or acoustic measurements. No filter grade, mould protocol or measured background noise level is published, and no contaminant test panel is published for the rainwater supply. Nothing is published on wireless network topology, access point placement relative to beds or field levels in sleeping areas. Nothing is published on mattress or linen composition, cleaning and laundry chemistry, blackout provision, interior lighting colour temperature, cookware or cooking oils.
Other standards held
Useful context. A held standard does not move a pathway score on its own. It moves a score only through the evidence that standard publishes.
- The Long Run, Global Ecosphere Retreat Awarded by The Long Run. Source
Regional context2 public figures about the area, none of which scores
Public data about the surrounding area. None of it contributes to the score, because a property cannot be marked down for the conditions outside it.
- Safely managed drinking water, Tanzania: The World Health Organization reports 31 per cent of the population nationally, 45 per cent in urban areas, 23 per cent in rural areas using a safely managed drinking water service. This describes the country, not this property, and says nothing about what reaches a guest room here. It is recorded because it is the background against which a property's own treatment is worth publishing. Source
- Ambient PM2.5 and PM10 near Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania: Modelled ambient air over this location averaged 9.0 micrograms per cubic metre of PM2.5 and 12.5 of PM10 across the 720 hours to 2026-08-17, peaking at 23.1 PM2.5. The World Health Organization annual guideline for PM2.5 is 5. This is the outdoor air over the area, modelled rather than measured on site, and it is not a reading of the air inside any room. Source
Not published is not unsafehow to read these scores, and what this index does not promise
A low score means a property has not published information. It does not mean the property is unsafe, unhealthy or poorly run.
These scores measure disclosure. These scores describe disclosure, not property quality. This index has no commercial relationship with the properties listed unless a badge on the listing says otherwise.
Conditions change, and we will not always know. Every record is a snapshot of what a property had published when we read it, and that date is on the page. Conditions change: a property can refit, change suppliers or replace a system at any time, and nothing requires it to tell us. We re-read records and ask properties directly for updates, but there will always be a gap between what is true today and what was published when we looked. Use this as a frame of reference for what to ask, not as a substitute for asking. Take your own questions to the property before you book, and tell us if you find something we have wrong.
We report what properties publish. We do not inspect, certify or vouch for any property on this index unless a listing says we assessed it on site, and we accept no responsibility for decisions made or outcomes experienced on the basis of what you read here.