Mafia Island
(Lies off
the mouth of the Rufiji River in Southern Tanzania)
Mafia
Island
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Mafia Island
Beach
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Mafia Island
Ruins
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Mafia
Island, Tanzania
Mafia
Island, Tanzania, lies off the mouth of the Rufiji
River in Southern Tanzania. It is one of the least
developed parts of an undeveloped country, yet it
has been, and continues to be, part of important historical
processes. Although it's spectacular marine life is
becoming increasingly well known, especially since
the setting up of the Mafia Island Marine Park, little
other information is widely available. Using search
engines on the worldwide web tends to bring up mainly
sites which represent the island as a tourist paradise:
some of them also give inaccurate or misleading information.
Mafia's
infrastructure is poor: it has electricity only in
the district capital and in Utende, the main tourist
area. There are few houses which have running water.
Travel to the island is either by small aircraft from
Dar es Salaam, at a cost which is beyond the reach
of most islanders, or by sailing boat to Kisiju, the
nearest point on the mainland, and thence by lorry
or bus to Dar es Salaam. This journey can be lengthy,
precarious and uncomfortable but it is the one which
most islanders are forced to use. The few roads on
the island are in poor condition and there is a paucity
of vehicles, which means local people rely primarily
on bicycles or walking. Telecommunications until recently
have been minimal with only a few radio-linked lines
to the mainland and beyond. While each village now
has a primary school, there is only one secondary
school serving the entire island, although another
is currently under construction.
Mafia
Island Activities
Mafia
Island is a perfect spot for excursion after wilderness
safari, for both divers and non-divers have opportunities
to different activities, from beach picnics, day trips
for snorkeling, or walking safari to Mlola Forest,
and excursions to villages and local markets. However
Chole Island excursion is on top; an off-shore island
is packed with numerous ancient ruins. It is a perfect
place to start excursion while you are in Mafia Island.
Attractions
in Mafia Island include:
•
Trekking
through the bush to the "Blue Lagoon"
•
Nature
walking tour to ancient coral rock swimming pools
•
A
visit to Kua ruins with mosques dating back to the
14th Century
•
The
18th Century grand old house the most prominent feature
in Juani Island
•
The
largest ruin in town. This ruin was used by the Germans
as their administrative office
•
The
fully equipped dive centre for beginners & experienced
divers offers PADI and NAUI certifications
•
The
13th Century Mosque which was excavated at Ras Kisimani
on the southwest tip of the Mafia island, contains
Chinese pottery fragments. This may seem to indicate
that there was constant contact between people of
Mafia
and foreigners from Far East
Dive excursion trips can be done to Kitutia Reef,
Mwamba Ukuta, Mange Reef, Kifinge Bay, Okuza Island
and Ras Mkumbuu
•
Chole's
inhabitants are famous for the art of boat building,
shark fishing, and hand-manufacture of coconut coir
ropes making. Walking tour in this island will allow
you to see among local people pursuing their exciting
daily lives
