REGIONS : Mafia Island [Tanzania]

 

 

 

 

MAFIA ISLAND [Tanzania]

Mafia is the southernmost of the three large islands off the coast of Tanzania. It is around 20km long by 8km wide. Unlike the other two islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, which along with a number of smaller islands form the semi-autonomous state of Zanzibar, Mafia is politically an integral part of mainland Tanzania.

Mafia is a real sleepy backwater ... unspoiled and apparently timeless, where local people go about their traditional ways of life barely touched by the outside world. The island itself is much more like the mainland in character than the other islands, with central areas being covered with bush and light woodland, as well as coconut and cashew plantations. The coast is generally lined with palm trees, but there are not the sweeping sandy beaches that are to be found on Zanzibar. Here the shoreline is generally narrow and mangrove forests are widespread. This island is for people who want to see how Zanzibar was thirty or even a hundred years ago. It is for people who want to explore, meet people, go walking and sailing and to really immerse themselves in real Swahili culture.  Kilondoni is the main town and a refreshingly simple place. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed. Mafians are very friendly people ... distant and respectful to strangers; saving their smiles for once a dialogue is started. With only five places to stay on the island, visitor numbers remain refreshingly low. As a result, Mafia still feels like part of the old Swahili Coast. Dig a little deeper and one can find evidence that Mafia once played a pivotal role in the workings of the old Swahili coast. On the tiny island of Chole Mjini, just offshore in Chole Bay, the forest is strewn with creeper-clad ruins ... in true Raiders of the Lost Ark style. Mafia is famed for its diving and its incredibly rich marine environment and in Chole Bay it can boast the largest marine reserve in East Africa. This area is especially rich in small fish species and has some of the finest unbleached coral in the Indian Ocean.

Not to be missed in Mafia Island ...

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Our selected properties in Mafia Island...

Our exclusive selection of properties range from comfortable, luxurious, exclusive and extravagant. The green symbol indicates exclusively yours properties that can be all yours.

Click on the property icons to visit and view what they have to offer.

Kinasi Lodge
Pole Pole


Best time for visiting Mafia Island [Tanzania]...

Avoid rains - April to June and November

Meet our Tanzania experts...

	Lisa De Swardt Lisa joins the Pulse Africa staff as one of our Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa experts. Born and bred in Kenya, Lisa has travelled extensively throughout East Africa and more recently South Africa. One of Lisa's particular skills is her ability to really understand what her clients want and she has the ability to transform this into a perfect holiday.
	Stuart Inglis If you are interested in any of our destinations, but unsure of what you are looking for, what is available or where and when to go, then Stuart, Pulse Africa's Sales & Marketing Director who has travelled extensively throughout Africa, may be the ideal person to talk to.
	Hayley Kingaby Hayley is one of our South Africa and Kenya experts. A born and bred South African, she has eleven years experience in the travel industry. Hayley creates holidays that will amaze and leave everlasting memories within people, making them want to repeat their visits over and over again.
	Warren Pearson Having spent time managing and guiding at luxury safari camps in Tanzania and South Africa Warren brings a new meaning to the phrase "know what you sell". Warrens holidays stem from a deep understanding and love for the wilds of Africa. Warren also brings a new aspect to personalised service. He is Pulse Africa's in house Private Guide - see private guide section.
	Sandy Wood Sandy is our Zambia, Seychelles, Mozambique and East African expert and is also Pulse Africa's managing director.

What to do in Mafia Island...

	bird watching
	boating
	canoeing & mokoro trips
	cultural interaction
	diving & snorkelling
	fishing
	food & wine
	guided walks
	historical sites
	recommended for honeymooners
	sailing
	spa and or massage
	swimming pool
	watersports
	whale watching

Ask the experts for the best personalized advice...