DAR MARINE RESERVES

(1) BONGOYO ISLAND

Location: Bongoyo is an inhabited island.
It lies between 06043’12” S and 38016”00”E, its boundaries extending to 5 fathoms (10 m) below the mean low tide mark.

The island part of the reserve occupies an area of about 0.63 km2, narrowest in the southeast and broadens gradually in the northwest.The island is built upon rugged coral rocks with scattered sinkholes.The raised sandy beach is more pronounced to the northwest providing good swimming beach and anchoring facilities for the small 
boats (tourism activities).

NATURAL RESOURCES

The reef around the island is very shallow and access is difficult at low water except at the main sandy beach, which is used as mooring and landing site for both the Slipways boat charter and other visitors.

The intertidal zone surrounding the island comprises small sandy beaches as well as coral based rocky flats. The average tidal range is approximately 3m, with large spring tides attaining a slightly larger range. 

The underwater habitat range from shallow gently sloping coral reefs, sandy expanses and sea grass beds.

Habitats and substrate

Coastal shores of this island support several clearly defined communities of plants and animals. Their distribution is predominantly determined by physical conditions including the type of substrates (whether sedimentary or rock), slope of substrates, tidal and 
current regimes, exposure to wave action and the influence of fresh water. The main coastal habitats around Bongoyo Island include sand beaches (beach I and II), coral reefs, sea grass beds, rocky shores, lagoons (shark lagoon) and algal beds.

FAUNA AND FLORA

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 sp 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. 

Number of visitors depend on the season, during the high season up to 100 visitors visit the island on holidays i.e. Saturday and Sunday’s. During the low seasons 5 – 20 visitors visit the island. Facilities available on the island include shades (bandas), nature trails, small restaurant with food and beverages and information board. 

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.

There are big sign board which explain dos and don’ts 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.

DENSE THICKET TRAIL:
The nature trail is rich of old huge trees. The trail is so cool because of the enclosed canopy. Whilst in the trail the waves splashing are heard so distantly, except for the diverse bird's rhythms that are so engrossing. The trial's ambiance is so serene. Its common to lookout for sounds of songbirds.

BIRD'S PARADISE TRAIL LOOP:
The trail is so appropriate for birders. The vegetation resembles the "Dense thicket trail", however, this trail is interspersed with a diverse of nesting sites. Various designs of nests that are species specific are easily seen along the trail loop. Please do not tamper with the nests, nor feed the chicks inside the nest(s). 

It's enchanting to visit the loop between July and September and observe the mystery patterns of bird's manners, when most birds construct their nests and lay eggs, whilst between April and June, most birds are feeding and grooming the young ones.

THE CENTRAL TRAIL:
This trail is central and it intersects all the vegetation zones from the northeast beach to the southeast beach. The intertidal pools are so extensive on the northeast beach.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS:
Deliberate efforts are being undertaken to insure the resources are sustainably utilized.

There is a resident honorary ranger to ensure compliance as well as attend to visitors needs.

Effective community based surveillance and enforcement is practiced.

HOW TO GET THERE:

The Island is approximately 30 minutes ride from the mainland with motorized dhow from Msasani Slipway and 10 min by speedboat from Msasani Bay. 

Scheduled Boat/ ferry service from Msasani Slipway or hired boats from Yatch Club or and Beach Hotel northern coast of Dar Es Salaam. The Msasani Slipway has boats, which makes return visits to the island 4 times a day.

A Number of visitors also arrives on the island by means of private own Yatch Boats or hired boats from beach hotels. Marine Parks’ entrant tickets to Bongoyo are available at Msasani Slipway and Dar Es Salaam Yatch club.SHARK’S LAGOON NATURE.