- Dar Es Salaam = 30 min flight
- Selous = 30 min
- Zanzibar = 30 min
- Arusha = 30 min
Where to stay on the island?
As for accommodation, this will depend on your budget and your lifestyle.
- In Kilindoni you will find accommodation ideal for backpackers
- In Utende there are more luxurious accommodations, ideal for divers. A daily conservation fee of €16 will be charged if you choose to stay there.
When should you go there?
- The sunny season is from August to October, it is hot and dry.
- The short rains are from November to December
- The long rains from March to May: the least recommended period, as some lodges close and underwater visibility is reduced.
If you want to see the whales, as written above, you will need to come between September and March.
How do you get to Mafia Island?
The most commonly used means of transport by travellers is the aeroplane; indeed, you have a choice of several departures:
- Dar Es Salaam = 30 min flight
- Selous = 30 min
- Zanzibar = 30 min
- Arusha = 30 min
Where to stay on the island?
As for accommodation, this will depend on your budget and your lifestyle.
- In Kilindoni you will find accommodation ideal for backpackers
- In Utende there are more luxurious accommodations, ideal for divers. A daily conservation fee of €16 will be charged if you choose to stay there.
When should you go there?
- The sunny season is from August to October, it is hot and dry.
- The short rains are from November to December
- The long rains from March to May: the least recommended period, as some lodges close and underwater visibility is reduced.
If you want to see the whales, as written above, you will need to come between September and March.
How do you get to Mafia Island?
The most commonly used means of transport by travellers is the aeroplane; indeed, you have a choice of several departures:
- Dar Es Salaam = 30 min flight
- Selous = 30 min
- Zanzibar = 30 min
- Arusha = 30 min
Where to stay on the island?
As for accommodation, this will depend on your budget and your lifestyle.
- In Kilindoni you will find accommodation ideal for backpackers
- In Utende there are more luxurious accommodations, ideal for divers. A daily conservation fee of €16 will be charged if you choose to stay there.
Why go to Mafia Island?
Discover the paradise of Mafia Island, a hidden gem of Tanzania where nature is still untouched and life is peaceful. The island is 50 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide.
The protected marine park surrounding Mafia Island offers a rich environment for whales and other marine mammals. Access to the island is limited to visitors, making it more peaceful than the main island of Zanzibar.
Most visitors spend their time in the south-east of the island, in the town of Utende, the starting point for Chole Bay.
Activities on Mafia Island
Scuba diving and snorkelling are the flagship activities on Mafia Island. The island’s marine park is home to more than 450 different species of tropical fish, as well as sea turtles and the rare dugong.
The immaculate sandbanks and crystal-clear waters make it an ideal place for snorkelling.
At the right time of year (generally from September to March), you can swim alongside whale sharks, the largest fish on the planet! The period for seeing the majestic humpback whales is from late August to early October.
Mafia Island’s abundant marine life attracts big-game fishing enthusiasts. Boat trips to the coral reefs offer the chance to catch a variety of species.
Kayaking expeditions are organised to visit the mangrove forests.
Animals on Mafia Island
- Native monkeys
- Squirrels
- Bats
- Lizards
- more than 120 bird species.
Mafia Island is the ideal place to spend your honeymoon and disconnect from the rest of the world on the white sandy beaches.
You can also relax after your safari or simply extend your trip with our Tanzania tours.
When should you go there?
- The sunny season is from August to October, it is hot and dry.
- The short rains are from November to December
- The long rains from March to May: the least recommended period, as some lodges close and underwater visibility is reduced.
If you want to see the whales, as written above, you will need to come between September and March.
How do you get to Mafia Island?
The most commonly used means of transport by travellers is the aeroplane; indeed, you have a choice of several departures:
- Dar Es Salaam = 30 min flight
- Selous = 30 min
- Zanzibar = 30 min
- Arusha = 30 min
Where to stay on the island?
As for accommodation, this will depend on your budget and your lifestyle.
- In Kilindoni you will find accommodation ideal for backpackers
- In Utende there are more luxurious accommodations, ideal for divers. A daily conservation fee of €16 will be charged if you choose to stay there.
