Pemba Flying Fox Forest
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Pemba’s only endemic mammal is a large and critically endangered bat (Pteropus voeltzkowi) called “popo” in Swahili. They spend their days in trees rather than caves and the island’s biggest roosting site, home to some 4000 bats, is at Kidike Sanctuary about 10km northeast of Chake Chake. There's a large population here due to the proximity of a local burial site, which meant the colony was undisturbed. Outside peak season, ring ahead to check that someone is there. Kidike is 3.5km off the Chake–Wete road.
Inclusions
What's included
- All Entrances Fees
- Pick up and drop off from your hotel in private car
- Transport waiting charge
- Bottled water during the tour
- All taxes, fuel surcharges and service fees included
- Experienced Professional Tour guide
What's not
- Medical Insurance if needed
- Gratuities for tour guide
- International & Domestic Flights
- Visa
- Airport/Departure Tax
- Expenses of a personal Nature
Itinerary
The Pemba flying fox is a large fruit bat weighing 400 – 650 g (0.9 – 1.4 lb.). Its diet consists of the fruit and flowers of a number of plants. Primary and secondary forest, graveyards and mangroves provide roosting sites. The Pemba flying fox is very social and has been found in large colonies until recently. The Pemba flying fox is found only on Pemba Island Tanzania. The island was originally forested, but only remnants of the primary forest remain. Estimates of the status of the Pemba flying fox have varied considerably recently. Studies in 1989 suggested a dramatic population decline, with fewer than 10 individuals being seen, and the species was considered to be on the brink of extinction. However, in 1992, surveys indicated a population in the region of 2400-3600, although it was estimated that the population may have declined significantly in the preceding decade.
The Pemba flying fox does not appear near human settlements unless large trees are fruiting. The Pemba flying fox is the only bat species endemic to an African country. Flying foxes are so-called because of their foxlike faces. They cannot use echolocation. Instead, they navigate using vision and normal hearing. Most flying foxes eat fruit and are also called fruit bats. Fruit bats are ecologically and economically important because they pollinate and disperse the seeds of wild and commercial plants. Pemba Island is home to 4 species of Old World fruit bats (Megachiroptera). However, many villagers are unaware that there is more than one type of bat on the island, which may be a potential source of confusion in assessing the status of the Pemba flying fox.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- for those clients staying in Wete Hotels (Pemba Crown Hotel and Sharook Riviera Grand Lodge).
- Pickup
- Pickup is offered, or you can meet at the starting point.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Safanta Tours & Travel Company Limited
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A moderate amount of walking is involved
How it compares in Tanzania, outside the cities
- Its from-price is 30% below the median of the 1189 experiences we list in Tanzania, outside the cities.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
Special offers in Tanzania, outside the cities
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
![Zanzibar Hidden salam Cave Turtle Swim;Jozani Forest & Spice Farm]()
5% offFree cancellation
Similar experiences
Hop-on hop-off in Tanzania, outside the cities
20% offFree cancellation
