WELCOME TO MAFIA ISLAND
Mafia island is a small jewel lying about 160 km of Zanzibar. It’s name has Arabic roots and means “protection”, because of its caves, that contained the slaves captured in the area.
Its landscape is superb: crystalline water of an extraordinary blue turquoise color, banks of white sand, thousands of colored fishes around the coral reefs … A paradise to discover.
Mafia Island Marine Park is the largest protected area in the Indian Ocean. It has an area of more than 800 sq kilometers around the south-eastern end of Mafia and Chole bay.
Among their beautiful reefs we can find more than 400 species of fish, besides a great coral diversity. An impressive landscape for the diving lovers.
lMafia is also known by the green turtles and carey, the main attraction for the specialists that want to observe them.
Highlights:
The main acitivities to do in Mafia island are:
-Snorkelling and swimming around the islets and beautiful coral shelves of Chole Bay
-Scuba diving on reefs in Chole Bay
-Light sport fishing (trolling), bottom fishing and beach casting
-Sailing wind-surfers and sailboards or traditional outrigger ngalawas with local fishermen
-Kayaking
-Daily boat excursions and picnics (combined with snorkelling) to isolated islets and beaches such as Kitutia, Ras Kisimani, Miewe, Mvinje, Marimbani Sand Bar
-Guided excursions to villages on the islands to see traditional village community life and economic activity, such as boat building and farming
-Boat and walking excursion to the ancient ruins of Kua on Juani Island and the water nature trail
-Road excursions to other parts of Mafia Island, such as Kilindoni, Ras Mbizi Plantation, Baleni Village
-Cycling
-Nature walks and bird-watching through mangrove, inter-tidal flats and woodland, and on the reef flats
| Month | Temp | Prec.(mm) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Min: 10C/50F – Max: 23C/73F | 88 | |
| Feb | Min: 11C/52F – Max: 24C/75F | 89 | |
| Mar | Min: 12C/54F – Max: 23C/73F | 172 | |
| Apr | Min: 12C/54F – Max: 21C/70F | 329 | |
| May | Min: 11C/52F – Max: 19C/66F | 182 | |
| Jun | Min: 10C/50F – Max: 18C/64F | 31 | |
| Jul | Min: 8C/46F – Max: 17C/63F | 18 | |
| Aug | Min: 9C/48F – Max: 18C/64F | 14 | |
| Sept | Min: 9C/48F – Max: 20C/68F | 16 | |
| Oct | Min: 10C/50F – Max: 22C/72F | 46 | |
| Nov | Min: 11C/52F – Max: 22C/72F | 163 | |
| Dec | Min: 11C/52F – Max: 22C/72F | 146 |
| Best Time June to October (Animals are easier to spot) |
|
| High Season Most of the year – July to March (The park never gets too crowded) |
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| Low Season April and May |
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| Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall) |
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| Worst Weather March and April (Peak of Wet season) |
June to October –Dry Season
It is sunny, and there is little rain
Fewer mosquitoes and less chance of catching malaria
November to May –Wet Season
Views of Kilimanjaro and Meru are most reliable from December to February
It’s less crowded in April and May, as it is the low season – also, rates are likely to be lower
Arusha NP offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year
Birding is best as migratory birds are present
Some roads might become difficult to navigate
March to May is the peak of the Wet season
Gombe National Park
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Katavi National Park
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Lake Manyara NP
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Ngorongoro Crater
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Selous Game Reserve
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Ruaha National Park
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Serengeti National Park
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Tarangire National Park
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |

