Mafia Island
The Tanzania Coast
Tanzania is a birder's paradise, with some of the world's most diverse environments.
“A Place of Good Health”
I am sure you have heard of Mafia; a group of people who are powerful and very much feared. However, the Mafia we are going to show you is a Mafia filled with magic and beauty. It is a small island in Tanzania that has the most beautiful marine life you will ever encounter. Mafia is in fact a word that is derived from a Swahili sentence that says, ‘Mahali pa Afya’ meaning ‘A place of good health’. This is because it is believed that staying at the island could significantly improve your health due to the existing eco-balance and Mother Nature found there.
Kilondo market;
The most typical place worth visiting is the famous market that is stretched out and sells from food, games equipment and even clothes. It is a spectacular place if you want to have a taste of the Tanzanian culture. In the evening, the market cooks local dishes, which you could sample for free and decide to have dinner for the night.
Chole Islands;
This island is off Mafia and stands on its own however it is not quite far. Mafia is not as crowded as Zanzibar because of less tourists that visit the island. Chole is a typical village that has not been industrialized and there are hardly any cars. It is also famous for the large bats that live there which are known as the flying fox.
Visit to the marine park;
The marine is the most amazing experience that you will encounter as you take your journey through Zanzibar. The ocean has different species that include all the small marine species like the ray fish and jelly fish. You could opt to snorkel, which is the best option that will allow you to see different species at arms length. You could enjoy a swim assuming that the amazing creatures you will see will not distract you!
Visit to the lighthouse;
In the northern tip of the island lies a lighthouse that is one of the remaining few that still exist and function. There is some debate on when and the accurate time it was actually built but what is certain, it has stuck around for quite a long time. You could go and learn the history of the island and the construction of the lighthouse when you visit this place.
Marimbani;
At a certain time of the day, the tides move far enough and a small island appears for a few hours. The locals have named this island Marimbani. During the day, you could visit that place for the most beautiful sea view. It has clear waters and plenty of crabs. It will also be nice place for a picnic lunch.
Swim with whale sharks;
As difficult as it is to believe, this is an activity that takes place in the small island of Mafia. During the months of August to September, the whale sharks are more visible and most of the time they take a swim with their cubs. If you’re lucky enough you will be able to spot the humpback whales. Snorkeling, of course, can be considered while doing all these activities and I think this is going to be the highlight for you in your trip to Mafia!
Hidden lagoon;
The hidden lagoon is a secret the people of Mafia hold as it hidden discreetly inside the island. It has clear and crystal clean water with a small surrounding forest that makes it breathtaking! Of course you could take a swim and I highly recommend a camera to capture the beautiful moment that you will be in!
Turtle Hatching;
This is the most incredible thing you will witness as the eggs of turtles hatch and the little ones try to find their way back into the sea as they fight to survive from the scorching sun and the hungry gulls. This activity takes place mostly in the month of June to August. For this activity, it will be better if you talk to your host; where you will be staying to confirm whether the activity is in progress at that particular time you will be staying in Mafia.
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