These days, Mafia Island remains a somehow remote location discovered only by the most selective visitors, but more and more of them are enjoying every year the beauty of this still unique place Mafia Island although on the way of becoming a popular destination for visitors to relax after their safari and for winding away from the daily stressing life and routine still retains a special un
ique atmosphere and secure to its guests one of a kind of a stay .Secluded beaches and un crowded environment offer the privacy and relax that discerning travelers are longing for. Accommodations for any budget can be found on the island but wherever you will decide to stay the kindness, friendly hospitality and warm smiles of its inhabitants will be one of the highlight of your vacation. It is an archipelago formed by small islands that approximately 20,000s years ago were joined to the mainland. The origin of the name of these islands remains unclear. Some argue that the name of Mafia is coming from the medieval Arabic term Monfiyeh or Monfia, while others suggest an archaic Kiswahili term Ma-afya referring to the healthful properties of the region. For centuries, the island was a trading stop for Shirazi merchants traveling up towards Persia and under the rule of the Omani sultanate in Zanzibar, vast coconut and cashew plantations flourished. Today, all that remain of the island’s prestigious past are the coral ruins on Kua in Juani Island and Chole Island, the small islands just off shore from Mafia where the Arab landowners lived a sumptuous life removed from their plantations and slaves. These days, Mafia Island remains a somehow remote location discovered only by the most selective visitors, but more and more of them are enjoying every year the beauty of this still unique place
Mafia Island Marine Park – the largest protected area in the Indian Ocean – which includes few surrounding villages ,in its conservation efforts provides that the millions of fishes and coral species that thrive in the warm waters of Mafia Island beaches will survive of coming decades and with its care of the environment makes sure that the tourism impact on it won’t hurt the place but will be for sure a sustainable one. THINGS TO DO MAFIA ISLAND
Without any doubt the Mafia Island Marine National Park is the biggest attraction of Mafia. Being the largest Marine Park in the Indian Ocean it shelters a unique complex of estuarine, mangrove, coral reef and marine-channel eco-systems with more than 400 different species of fish. The best way to explore the park is of course through a diving mask. Whether you prefer snorkeling or scuba diving, the under water landscape and variety of coral reeves and under water life is overwhelming. Although we do not operate as a diving center, there are different well-equipped and professional Dive Centers in nearby Utende village and will certainly assist you to find and book Scuba Diving or Fishing games. Snorkeling
There is nothing quite like the experience of exploring a new worId, a world where you have never been before. There is nothing that can quite compare to the thrill if seeing something for the first time, witnessing alien life in an environment that is totally foreign to you. This is what it is like to snorkeling in low tide and shallow reef waters inside the Chole Bay. Whale shark Nov - Feb
These beautiful giants are seasonally found just a few hundred metres offshore near Kilindoni Harbour . A short boat ride towards the west brings you to a feeding ground for the sharks and soon fins and dark shapes are apparent. Up to 24 can be seen at any one time: males, females and juveniles, all beautifully marked with stripes and spots. The larger sharks are estimated at over 8 m long, so they are an impressive sight next to the boat, and quite stunning under the water. Marimbani Sand bank
Marimbani Sandbank is the perfect place to relax, just a 20-minute boat trip away from Public beach. It is approximately 700 meters long and is half moon shaped on the low tide and is only accessible on the low tide as it becomes completely submerged on the high tide. Chole Island
The oldest, still inhabited settlement in the archipelago, with the ruins of some Arab and Indian Merchant buildings used by the Germans during the First World War. Chole Island is covered by extremely varied lush vegetation. You can visit a boatyard where traditional construction methods are still used to build dhows. Among the island's curiosities are a number of trees containing colonies of Comoro bats, a protected species of fruit eating "flying foxes
Kua ruins
The city of Kua located in Juani Island, was a major trade centre linking Africa to Asia, Kilwa to Zanzibar. Its elite inhabitants were the Persian Shiraz, who conquered Mafia in the 10th century, and later intermarried with the Mashatiri descendants of the Prophet Mohammad. In the late 15th and 16th century the Portuguese raided, but Kua met its demise from the Sakalafa, a pirate group from Madagascar, and in retaliation the Omani Arabs from Zanzibar slaughtered them. The ruins of Kua city lie undisturbed in the bush, intertwined by trees. Juani Chanel & Lagoon
A long channel linking the huge inland bay with the open sea that breaking the southern point of Juani. At the end of the channel is an enormous Lagoon (natural swimming pool) surrounded by forest whose water level varies according to the tides. After a short walk you can enjoy its clear waters. The area can only be reached by boat during high tide,
Turtle hatching Jun - Sept
In June and September between, there are hundreds of turtles babies make their way from the mafia Island beaches into the warm Indian ocean after hatching from their nests, carefully dug between 45 and 60 days before by their mother. Juani Island is the preferred location as its secluded eastern beaches allow the turtles to complete their life cycle in peace. Interview Guide
This is based to researchers who want interpreters of language between local communities of Mafia Island according to their activities of researching for. Also we are organize Swahili Language speaking for those who has enormous of few Swahili words
HOW TO REACH
Mafia Island lies 20s Kilometers east where Rufiji river delta empties its water into Indian Ocean, nearby 200s Kilometers south of Zanzibar Island and 130s Kilometers from Dar es Salaam which takes approximately 30s minutes by air and 40s minutes from the Selous Game Reserve and Zanzibar Island
Although easier way to reach in Mafia Island only by aircraft but also for those who would like to have adventure by sea travel to Mafia Island they can as well as Mafia Island people they do their daily travel to Dar es Salaam. This way takes about 7– 9 hours from starting point Mbagala Rangi3 Dar es Salaam Minibus Local Terminal to Nyamisati Rufiji whereby local wooden boat stop from to Mafia Island. Almost there is one ferry per day, note that you have to left at Local terminal to Nyamisati between 5:00am and 6:00am this will enable you to get the ferry on time otherwise you have to stop to Nyamisati and wait for the following day. There is no specific time Boat to left a port min person 50 and max person 60 boat allowed to leave when passengers fit a number. You are mostly welcome to Mafia Island
Mafia lies 20km east from where Rufiji river delta empties its water into Indian Ocean and nearly 200km south of Zanzibar. Kua was ruled by a Queen Mwanzuani.
