Mafia Island Marine Park is located in the Indian Ocean in Pwani region of Tanzania; the park covers an area of about 820 kilometers. Mafia Island has very high diversity and was established as a national park in 1996 with the help of nongovernmental organizations. It is a great Tanzania safari park to visit during your holidays in Tanzania.
Mafia Island was made a settlement during Kilwa’s time. Mafia Island has a rich history as a stopover for ships needing repairs and water, and its population is estimated to be around 50,000 people living in fishing villages on the island and nearby islands.
Mafia Island also lies across the trade routes. Mafia Island has an excellent marine ecosystem that includes hard and soft coral reefs, algal-dominated reefs, sheltered back reefs, extensive seagrass beds, intertidal hard and soft substrates, estuaries, and mangroves, which contribute to its rich biodiversity.
Mafia Island Marine Park includes the Rufiji river delta.
There are a number of activities tourists can engage in at Mafia Island Marine Park, some of which can be seen below.
Tourists can engage in this recreational activity by obtaining a fishing permit there are various fish species at the ocean; some of these include
Mafia Island Marine Park has various diving centers, such as The Big Blue, which is well-equipped with diving facilities and features an on-site bar and restaurant. They also offer diving safaris within the park for well-experienced divers after booking in advance. Big blu also offers diving courses to those who would love to learn.
Witnessing the baby turtles come out of the shells and run to the ocean is a thrilling nature experience you can’t forget; this normally happens at Juani Island.
There are many areas where you can go snorkeling and explore sea life; you will be given the snorkeling equipment and an experienced tour guide who will help incase it’s your first time. The underwater sea life is incredibly diverse, featuring various types and colors that will leave you in awe.
Visit the Kua historical town ruins
The Kua historical town, which dates back to the 10th century and served as a link between Asia and Africa, features the uniquely set up Kua lagoon, naturally beautified with jellyfish.
Chloe Island was once the capital of the Mafia, dating back to the century. The town is very historical, with a lot of ruins that have been overtaken by nature, like the prison with Arab and German influences the villages also have a lot to offer and the bats sleeping on the trees will make your tour complete.
Tourists can sail on the dhow, a traditional Arab sailing ship filled with refreshments you might need.
Guided nature walks, this will expose tourists to whale watching; they can often join the whales in the water and take great photos and videos.
The best time to visit the park is all year round; however, the dry season would be the best time.
Some of the accommodation units at Mafia Island are Butiama beach lodge, Chloe mjini lodge, kinasi lodge, shamba kilole lodge and pole pole lodge. The park is 20 kilometers offshore and 120 kilometers from Dar-es-Salam. There are various domestic flights operating from Tanzania main cities to Zanzibar.
