Guide to Visiting Mafia Island (Tanzania) – All You Need To Know.

A portion of the visitors that visit Tanzania’s northern neighbor Zanzibar also visit the stunning Mafia Island, which is lapped by the Indian Ocean off the country’s south coast. But this isolated tropical island is a fantastic off-the-beaten-path choice if you’re seeking for some beach time to cap off a Tanzanian safari.

There are few finer locations to witness a whale shark, the largest fish in the world, in its native environment than Mafia Island Marine Park, which boasts beautiful beaches and fantastic diving. Most importantly, peaceful Mafia maintains a grounded, unpackaged vibe that makes it seem like a genuine undiscovered treasure.

Which Beaches Offer the Best Accommodations?

Utende in the far southeast is Mafia Island’s most visited beach. This palm-lined piece of seaside beauty is located at Chole Bay’s southernmost point. It is separated from the smaller islands of Juani and Chole by a quiet, narrow channel.

The majority of Mafia’s best lodges are located in Utende. This is mostly due to the beautiful beach, but it’s also in a prime location for trips to neighboring islands in the Mafia Archipelago and diving and snorkeling in Chole Bay.

Bweni, on the northwest coast, is a really lovely and uncrowded alternative to Utende if your main goal is beach time rather than maritime activities. However, be advised that Bweni offers a small selection of mid-range, rustic lodging options.

Butiama Beach, which is located on the southwest coast outside Kilindoni, the tiny, low-rise hamlet that acts as the administrative center of the island, is an additional choice. Butiama, which is about 3km/2mi from Mafia Airport and features a number of reasonably priced beach camps, is especially well-suited for independent visitors on a tight budget.

 

Mafia Island Marine Park: What Can I See?

Most people agree that Mafia Island Marine Park is the greatest diving location in East Africa. The park offers a great introduction to the varied marine life of the Indian Ocean and stretches 822km²/317mi² off the south coast of the island. Kinasi Pass in Chole Bay is the most well-known of its numerous top-notch diving locations. Underwater titans like big grouper, potato cod, eagle rays, moray eels, bull sharks, and guitarfish can be found on this pristine reef. There are shallower coral gardens in the park that are good for snorkeling and are well-known for their profusion of vibrant reef fish.

Whale sharks, enormous plankton-eating creatures that may grow up to 18 meters (60 feet) from snout to tail tip, are the main attraction of Mafia Island Marine Park. The most fruitful months for boat safaris to search for whale sharks (and swim with them if conditions allow) are October through March, when the success rate is approximately 90%. Various dolphin species, gigantic turtles, and humpback whales, which pass through the region from August to October, are among the other commonly sighted marine animals.

Can I Do Anything Else on Mafia Island?

Even while Mafia’s primary draws are its beaches and offshore reefs, many tourists also like to spend a day exploring the island. Highlights of this road trip include the vibrant fresh produce market in Kilindoni village, a small freshwater lake that is home to hippos, and a vividly painted 19th-century lighthouse at Ras Mkumbi.

The large ruins of Chole Mjini are located on Chole, a small palm-covered island that is divided from Mafia by a thin waterway. For the most of the 19th century, this town was the center of the Mafia Archipelago. Among the remains are a Hindu temple, a German customs house, and other Omani houses. Chole is well-known for housing the Seychelles flying fox, a large fruit bat that is unique to East Africa.

The ruined city of Kua, which covers 6 hectares (15 acres) on Juani Island and was the capital of the Mafia Archipelago from the Middle Ages until the early 19th century, is well worth seeing.

 

What Is the Difference Between Zanzibar and Mafia Island?

The degree of tourism development on the two islands is the most visible distinction between them. There are hundreds of lodging alternatives in Zanzibar, a bustling and well-liked beach resort, ranging from big all-inclusive resorts to basic backpacker hostels. In contrast, Mafia has not been significantly affected by mass tourism, and the majority of its lodges and resorts are small, exclusive, and have a boutique-like atmosphere.

The absence of a settlement with the same historic flavor and urban vibrancy as Zanzibar’s evocative old Stone Town is another significant distinction between the two islands. Nevertheless, when it comes to water sports like diving and snorkeling, Mafia has a clear advantage over Zanzibar. In contrast to Zanzibar, where it may occasionally seem impossible to go more than a few feet without someone attempting to sell you something, Mafia beaches are far more peaceful and hassle-free.

 

Is it possible to combine a Tanzanian safari with Mafia Island?

Of course. Mafia Island, which is located off the south coast, is a great addition to the Southern safari circuit, which also includes Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park (previously Selous Game Reserve), Tanzania’s two biggest national parks. However, Mafia can also be readily connected with other destinations on the more well-known Northern safari circuit, such as Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.

If you prepare beforehand, you should be able to travel from Mafia Island to your preferred safari spot in a single day. However, if that doesn’t work out, you could have to stay overnight in Dar es Salaam or, if you’re traveling from the north, Arusha.

How Much Does a Trip to Mafia Island Cost?

The amount you spend on rather expensive marine activities like diving and boat safaris, as well as the type of lodging you select, will have a significant impact on the cost of your safari package to Mafia Island. But generally speaking, a mid-range package that includes airfare, lodging, meals, and some activities should cost between $300 and $400 per person each day. Packages that are primarily focused on diving or that are luxurious will cost extra. Another way to save money is to go to Mafia on your own and stay in inexpensive lodging, but even then you will have to pay for flights, which can be somewhat expensive.

 

Which Time of Year Is Ideal for Visiting Mafia Island?

Any season is a good time to visit Mafia. Because of the island’s location in the tropical Indian Ocean, temperatures are consistently warm to hot, though they are typically moderated by gentle sea breezes. The ideal time to visit in terms of rainfall is from June to October, which is also the dry season and when most tourists travel. Since March through May are by far the wettest months, they are typically avoided. The shoulder season, which runs from November to February and is outside of the main season yet has less rain than March to May, is a suitable middle ground.

 

What is the route to Mafia Island?

The majority of travelers to Mafia Island take flights from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, which is served by a strong domestic, regional, and international aircraft network. Only Coastal Air and Auric Air provide scheduled flights between Dar es Salaam and Mafia Island. Both airlines also provide connecting flights to the majority of Tanzania’s other important tourist destinations. The average one-way ticket costs about US$150, and the flight from Dar es Salaam to Mafia only takes 30 minutes.

An unreliable government ferry service from Dar es Salaam is the only option except flying. This is only advised for independent, flexible travelers who have a lot of free time.