This experience combines some of Tanzania's best protected waters surrounding the enchanting Mafia Island; and Africa's largest protected wilderness area: the Selous.

For an underwater enthusiast, Mafia Island is an 'island of two halves'. On the eastern side and spreading south are some of Tanzania's most pristine reefs. Their health is a testament to the Marine Park established there by WWF (the Worldwide Fund for Nature). Beyond Mafia's western shores is a shallow sand bank which provides one of the world's best opportunities to snorkel with whale sharks; and in fact one of the best places to see them from the air as you fly into and out of the island.

Starting in the east, the most accessible coral reefs are those of the huge Chole Bay. This bay is protected from seasonal wave actions providing year round diving with plenty of healthy hard corals. Chole Bay is a part of the 821 square kilometre Marine Protected Area which is afforded complete protection from fishing. This means that you can dive (or snorkel) amongst some incredibly healthy fish life. You can find yourself eyeball to eyeball with large numbers of food fish such a groupers, which in other coral reef locations around the world would have long been destined for the pot.

In addition to large specimens of fish, the marine park protects an incredible diversity of fish life and marine ecosystems. In Chole and beyond, you can find further excellent hard coral areas, algal dominated reefs, extensive mangrove forests, sponge and soft coral sub-tidal beds and wide inter-tidal flats. This variety encourages more than 400 species of fish to reside here, 400 types of sponges, 200 types of algae, habitat for dugongs (Dugong dugon), Green Turtles, Hawksbills, Olive Ridleys and Giant Leatherbacks.

Mafia Island is an important breeding ground for small fish and larvae, and plankton which encourages the interest of whale sharks. These are best seen on the western side of the island on a sand bank little more than 3 metres deep. At this depth, snorkelling is undoubtedly the best way to hope to experience an encounter. This shallow depth also lends itself to opportunities to see whale sharks from the air as you fly in and out of the island.

The whole coast of Tanzania, Mafia included, can experience some extensive tides. These can play a significant part in planning dive times and locations day by day. Taking opportunities to see whale sharks instead of scuba diving also means that it is important to visit Mafia Island with a large degree of programme flexibility in mind. Diving and snorkelling aside, it is also a deeply enchanting island where you can feel like you are stepping back in time as you watch a traditional sailing dhow ply its way along an island channel, or walk amongst villages and old ruins on Chole Island.

Safari options

The easiest safari option to add to a holiday to Mafia Island is the Selous Game Reserve - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our safaris here can be by means of a combination of 4 Wheel Drive, on foot and in a boat amongst the myriad of islands in the Rufiji River. The Selous has large prides of lions, hippos, elephants, tree climbing leopards and Africa's rarest predator: the hunting dog. Its islets, lagoons and swamps also provide ideal habitat for some 440 species of bird.

We can get you into the Selous either by 4WD overland, by flying, or by a combination of the two if you want to experience an expedition feel across Africa for one day of your trip. We use accommodation which ranges from a good riverside lodge at the edge of the park - to very high quality lodges based deep inside it. For additional safari time, we can also incorporate the Mikumi National Park, the rainforests of the Udzungwa Mountains and the even more remote Ruaha National Park. For details please take a look at our South Tanzania Savannahs, Rainforests & Marine Life Safari.

Another option is to combine Mafia Island with a 6 days small group North Tanzania Safari. This combines the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge and Lake Manyara National Park.

For a luxury safari based in mobile safari camps in the Serengeti, and the option of walking safaris in the neighbouring Loliondo Game Reserve, please consider our Great Migration, Whale Shark & Coral Reef Dive & Safari.
 
Any duration and combination of diving in Tanzania is possible. Please contact us to speak with one of our Tanzania diving experts.

When to Go

The sheltered nature of Chole Bay means that diving can be done there at any time of the year.
Whale sharks are usually best seen November - February.

The Selous is best visited in February, March and July - October when the savannah is drier and game accumulates around the Rufiji River.