The Mafia Archipelago is scattered over the Indian Ocean 21 km off the Rufiji River Delta in central Tanzania. The largest of a score of islands, atolls and tidal sandbars, Mafia itself is approximately 50 km long by 15km across, and is surrounded by a barrier reef teeming with marine life. Almost half the coastline of Mafia, some 822km², ha…s been gazetted a marine park by the Government. To date over 50 genera of corals, more than 460 species of fish and five different species of turtles have been recorded in the waters around Chole Bay.Reaching Mafia used to be a difficult exercise, but not any longer, as there are quite a number of scheduled flights flying into and out of Mafia every day. Coastal Aviation and Tropical Air.
The flight by plane takes only 45 minutes from Dar es Salaam and 1 hour from Zanzibar or the Selous.
Mafia remains unaffected by many of the modern world’s less attractive aspects. Since the very limited tourism and ‘development’ have made few lasting inroads on Mafia it remains much as it was described by Dr Baumann in a famous report he prepared in 1895. This includes natural attractions, village life, trade and economic systems, agriculture and fishing.
We consider our visitor season starting in June and running through to the following March; the relevant climatic features can be described as follows:
June Cool and dry
July Cool but windy
August- October Cool, dry season with pleasant temperatures and excellent weather
November Short rains, but often unreliable running into December
December-March Hot season, mainly dry with showers and increasing humidity
April-May Long rains, very wet with heavy downpours lasting all day
Temperatures Temperatures are mild, even when we speak of the “hot” season, as the temperature in Mafia rarely exceeds 30°C. It is the humidity level that often causes visitors to feel they are hot, especially when the breeze drops and it is very calm.
Rainfall Mafia has a relatively dry tropical climate with approximately 1,800 mm of rain each year divided into two seasons of “long” rains in late March-May and “short” rains in November-early December.
The excellent visitor periods are August-October inclusive and early December-mid-March inclusive.
Mafia Beach Bungalows are located at Chole Bay in Utende Village, 15 Kms from the Airport and Harbour. With the Bungalows located on its own beach, you will always enjoy extreme Snorkeling, Diving, Sea & Land Excursions in a very special way than anywhere else..!