Pemba Flying Fox Tour

This tour is held at Kidike, situated near Kangagani village, approximately 2km east of the new main road connecting Chake Chake and Wete.

Kidike Sanctuary is the habitat of a magnificent group of Pemba flying foxes, a type of large bat native to Pemba Island. Recognizable by their dog-like facial features, the Pemba flying fox (Pteropus voeltzkowi) is a sizable fruit bat with chestnut-red fur, orange undersides, and a black face and wings.

These bats, totaling over 4000 individuals, hang in a cluster of trees, often seen flying around and easily visible during daylight, unaffected by the local residents. They remain loyal to their roost (typically a cluster of large, old trees), returning in large groups from their feeding excursions.

Mating occurs from January to April, with births happening between June and August. Feeding on mangos, breadfruit, figs, flowers, and leaves, the Pemba flying fox might be the sole species on the island dispersing larger seeds, which are vital for the plants' survival. Unlike insect-eating bats (Microchiroptera), this species doesn't rely on echolocation but uses sight to locate fruit. The tour's duration is 45 minutes.