| |
|
|
MAFIA ISLAND |
Mafia is - in the truest sense - a perfect island retreat for adventure divers, game fishermen and those seeking simple feet-up relaxation. The amazing natural power of an African archipelago. Your own island. The world recognized Mafia Island Marine Park. The archipelago is formed of a number of very large islands and small uninhabited coral atolls. Due to its position alongside the barrier, the island is the meeting place of large oceanic fish and the the vast variety of fish common to the Indian Ocean coral reefs.
There are over 400 species of fish in the park. The Park is a paradise for both expert scuba divers as well as those wishing to snorkel or sail in the native local boats from island to island. The Mafia archipelago forms part of the coral reef protecting the coast of Tanzania. It is situated about 130 km south of Dar es-Salaam and about 25 km from the mainland, looking towards the huge Rufiji river delta which shaped the island and influenced its ecosystem by supplying nutritional substances at the base of a complex food-chain.
|
 |
 |
On land, the rich variety of vegetation is dominated by large palm groves. In some areas you will find baobab trees dotting the typical African savannah. The mangroves play an extremely important role by preventing coastal erosion. There are also fruit trees in many areas, mainly mango and cashew trees. The archipelago's wildlife is extremely varied: monkeys, small antelopes, wild pigs, lemurs, as well as a small colony of dwarf hippopotamuses. There are countless types of birds undergoing significant seasonal variations according to the passing migrants. Falcons and fish eagles build their nests on both the small and larger islands.
Chole Bay - Mafia's protected deep-water anchorage, is part of a protected marine park. Its natural horseshoe shape is studded with lovely beaches. Outside the bay an unbroken reef runs the length of the island. The diving here is amongst the most spectacular in the world and includes colourful coral gardens, walls at various levels and many shelves and coral heads.
Chole Island - The oldest, still inhabited settlement in the archipelago, with the ruins of some Arab buildings used by the Germans during the First World War. The island is covered by extremely varied lush vegetation. You can visit a shipyard where traditional construction methods are still used to build dhows, the typical East African sailing boat. Among the island's curiosities are a number of trees containing colonies of Comoro bats, a protected species of fruit eating "flying foxes".
Maweni - Coral rocks emerging from the bay surrounded by an extremely interesting reef which can be reached even by less expert swimmers. Fungo Marimbani - A strip of dazzling white sand which appears during low tide, surrounded by crystal-clear water.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
