Dar-es-salaam & Mafia,Tanga,Peacock Hotel,Kunduchi Beach Resort,New Africa Hotel,Sunrise Beach Hotel

Remnants of spectacular history gives Tanzania's coastline an appeal far greater than just sun, sand and sea. More than 800 kms of coastline from Tanga in the north to Mtwara in the south, consist of palm-fringed, white sandy beaches looking out over the warm, sparkling water of Indian Ocean which offer unlimited scope for big game fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and other varieties of water sports.

Boasts one of the finest natural harbour in the world while it has become a bustling port and economic centre, it remains a place of fascination, with reminders of its colourful past. Dhows still ply its water. Dug-out canoes, filled with fish, bob by the harbourside. Many beautiful and unspoilt beaches are within easy reach.

Mafia Island lying only 160km south of Dar es salaam and it's the largest marine protected area in the Indian ocean with coastline area of 822 sq km. Encompassing the southern part of the Mafia island and an archipelago of several small islands and islets. The park is sandwiched between the Rufiji delta to the west and the open Indian Ocean to the east.

The twin influences of river and sea have combined over thousands years to create an undersea landscape of unique variety: underwater cliffs, tidal channels, coral reefs and sea-grass meadows. This allows extraordinary verity of marine life and is the basis of mafia's exceptional biodiversity.

Natural vegetation on Mafia ranges from tidal mangrove thickets and scrubby coastal moorlands to palm wooden grasslands and low land rainforest and low land forest.

It's one of the most exciting diving and fishing area in the world.

It's home for more than 460 species of fish and 5 species of turtle. Sports fisherman flock here for superb catches, many of them are great fighters, which include barracuda, marlin, sailfish and tuna. The main season is from September to March. Although fishing is possible all year around within the reef and the channel.

Divers will also see a variable kaleidoscope of reef dwellers among 50 types of coral. These include butterfly fish, clown fish, lion fish, and rainbow fish, while in deeper water will come across shark, rays and groupers. Also bottlenose and spinner dolphins are often seen leaping the waves.

Over 160 species of birds plus endemic amphibians and reptiles and rare fruit bat also occur. Six species of plant are probably found only on Mafia and further 8 are restricted to few other coastal forest sites in East Africa.

Other island fauna includes a colony of flying foxes, several species of bush babies, a type of pygmy shrew and a monitor lizard, monkey and squirrels.

Mafia Island also has social important and cultural dimensions. Several sites of historic ruins lie within the marine park, back dating to the 12th Century, where a major Arab town on the monsoon trade routes from Arabia to Sofala.

Mafia Island is-in the true sense-an island paradise for the active beachcomber who is serious about enjoying the sea and islands, adventure divers, game fishermen, bird-watchers or just for simple feet-up relaxation. Be as active as you wish...or simply relax and do nothing and let the island take care of you.

Activities organized are: Diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing and kayaks, boat excursions, cultural experience, road and bicycle excursions and nature trials and bird-watching walks.