![]() With a fraction of tourists and much fuller vegetation, Pemba is a good idea for those looking for something different, particularly those interested in diving! Layout With few properties to choose from on Pemba, Manta Resort is a good choice for those looking for something completely remote, secluded and special. Enabling the people to do what they need to do, to create a bright future for themselves by providing them with necessary support tools and the knowledge to use them.Manta Resort is situated in the far north-west of Pemba – a relatively undeveloped island, sat north of Zanzibar. Empowering the people of Pemba to be part of the decision-making process through taking part in our Public-Private-Community-Partnership approaches to managing natural resources and involving as many people as possible in our activities is a very big part of the Kwanini philosophy. Transferring knowledge through our education and community development projects to give the youth of Pemba an opportunity to reconnect with nature and their environment. Other strong points of the Kwanini approach are knowledge, empowerment and involvement. We are focused primarily on Pemba, and what the island needs to continue to thrive as a natural, cultural island paradise. What makes us different is that we are consciously, continuously, asking the question ‘why’ – Kwanini? From these beginnings, the Kwanini Foundation was born. When we started asking why we had come to Pemba, we realised that we’re here for certain reasons it’s still a truly tropical island, it’s remote, the culture is intact, the environment is not past the tipping point and there’s real hope, chance and opportunity to keep Pemba a genuinely natural place. In everyone coming together to build this long-term vision, we quickly realized that it wasn’t just about Manta – we were interested in Pemba and its’ future. In 2007, a group of like-minded people at The Manta Resort came together to build a tourism project. Why are we here? Why do we do the things we do? Why will it make a difference for the island and for future generations? Kwanini has become who Manta is and it is the key question they ask themselves. Kwanini is a vision which aims to make a positive contribution to the future of Pemba Island by preserving the environment and the integrity of the Pemban people. And he’ll do anything in his power to make your stay a memorable one. Get to know him and he’ll share everything about Pemba, his village, his family and life on the island. He will be the one taking care of you while you are with us. Meet your Service Fundi when you arrive, a member of the close knit that makes up the Manta Family. A true face of the human family of which we all are a part of. An unforced feeling of openness and hospitality that is part of Manta and the local culture. With respect, humility and shoulder rubbing good spirit you are guaranteed to enjoy a natural kinship with the people that work here. But from the moment you arrive you become a part of our friendly family. ![]() One thing becomes abundantly clear when you stay at Manta – you are welcomed by a family as described by Manta here: In objective terms you are a visitor. He speaks Swahili, English, German and French fluently and is currently learning Dutch and Arabic. Meeting new people and acquiring new languages has been part of Juma’s life since his teenage years. Since then he worked at different hotels in Zanzibar but his career turning point was in March 2008 when he met Matthew while was managing a restaurant in Dar es Salaam, the capital city of Tanzania. At this time the restaurant was among the few top places to visit while in Zanzibar. Juma began his career in 1999 with Blues Restaurant as a waiter/runner. It was following this vision and criteria that the Kwanini concept of understanding why they were doing this and knowing it was for the people and environment of this beautiful island came to be – putting attention on the plight of our world’s reefs is vital to the welfare of all. All the while, realizing that Manta was to be so much more than an underwater room – it’s about the island of Pemba, and the people of Pemba. He and his lovely Swedish wife, Carina, teamed up with their partners to painstakingly restore and revamp the property while the Underwater Room was being constructed. It was no small feat when he gained agreement from the ministry of fisheries, Pemba Channel Conservation Area Management, local fisherman and the neighboring communities, to put into place a “no netting” policy over one kilometer of reef in front of the resort.
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