TANZANIA: Marine Parks And Reserves

Not only is Tanzania the number one destination for safaris, its endless coral reefs in the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean offer some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world.

The archipelago of islands off the coast of Tanzania and Zanzibar are surrounded by coral reefs and are home to an amazing array of wildlife and unique ecosystems, as well as providing shelter, sustenance and employment for local people.

From Mafia Island Marine Park, an unspoiled, uncommercialised island, where local people go about their traditional businesses in a way (as far as one can tell) they have done for centuries, to Maziwe Island Marine Reserve, which only appears during low tide, Tanzania’s marine parks and reserves are exceptionally rich in their diversity of cultural, coral, fish, bird and plant life.

In order to protect and manage these areas from over fishing, mangrove deforestation, and coral mining, the following marine parks and reserves have been established and can be visited for day trips and longer stays.

The Marine Parks and Reserves Authority was established under the Marine Parks an reserve Act Number 29 of 1994, to oversee the management and administration of marine parks and reserves to ensure sustainable use of the marine resources.

The Marine Parks and Reserves Authority currently manages: a. Dar Marine Reserves - located in Dar es Salaam region. Four marine DSM reserves, Bongoyo Island Marine Reserve Mbudya Island Marine Reserve Pangavini Island Marine Reserve Funguyasini Marine Reserve b. Maziwi Island Marine Reserves - located in Pangani district (Tanga region). c. Mafia Island Marine Park - located in Coast Region. d. Mnazi Bay - Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MREMP) located in Mtwara Region. e.

Transfrontier Conservation Area encompassing (TFCA) Southern Regions and areas bordering Lake Nyasa in the countries like Malawi and Zambia.

Tanga City
Tanga was once another stopping point, in competition with Pangani and Bagamoyo, for caravans on their way to the hinterland of Central Africa searching for ivory and slaves.

Pangani Town
Pangani is a small town in East Africa’s coast that was 50 kms South of Tanga with long history culture the town has Arabic, German, Asian and British Colonial rules influence.

Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve
The Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve System (DMRS) is a group of marine wildlife reserves in Tanzania, situated off the coast of Dar es Salaam Region. The reserve system consists of Seven (7) islands of Bongoyo.

Mafia Island Marine Park
Mafia is renowned as an excellent world-class diving destination with some of the richest reefs in the world, The park covers the Southern part of Mafia Island .

Mikindani Bay Marine Reserve
Mikindani is a fascinating old town with winding streets and an exciting blend of African, Arabic and European architecture. The arms of the bay mouth contain old houses with doors which are carved.

Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park
Located in southern Tanzania, on the Mozambique border, is home to important populations of whales, dolphins, four species of turtle and numerous birds.

Maziwe Marine Reserve
Maziwe island is a very small unvegetated island surrounded by coral reefs located about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south east of the town of Pangani off the northern coast of Tanzania.

Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park
Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park (TACMP) is located on the northern coastline of Tanzania. It extends for 100 km along the coastline from north of Pangani River estuary to Mafuriko village.

Chumbe Island Marine Sanctuary
Chumbe offers some of the most pristine and colourful coral reefs in the world, with over 200 species of coral providing a sanctuary for more than 400 species of colourful fish.

Mnemba Island Conservation Area
Mnemba Island is a single small island located about 3 km off the northeast coast of Unguja, the largest island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania, opposite Muyuni Beach.

ZANZIBAR: Coastal Aviation Will Launch Continuous Shuttle With 13 Daily Flights

In demand destination Zanzibar can now enjoy even better connectivity by air with Dar es Salaam, when Coastal Aviation will launch their new 'Continuous Shuttle' with 13 daily flights effective 01st of December.

The first flight is set to leave Dar es Salaam at 07.30 hrs (a.m.) with the last flight taking off at 18.00 hrs (6 p.m.) while from Zanzibar the first flight leaves at 08.00 hrs (a.m.) with onward connections into the national park network across the country.

11 of those flights to Zanzibar will return nonstop to Dar es Salaam, a flight of just over 20 minutes, while one will route via Tanga with the remaining service traversing key destinations like Saadani, Pangani, Moshi and Dolly for KiliGolf before terminating in Arusha.

As a result of the earlier start of the service along the Swahili Coast linking to the Kilimanjaro region - take off is now at 08.00 hrs (a.m.) will several connection flights see slight adjustments in timings

It is understood that the link between Tanga and Pemba however will be discontinued under the new schedule effective 01st December.

Coastal Aviation is the largest airline, in terms of number of aircraft operated, in Tanzania if not East Africa and plays a key role in offering air services into many of the country's national parks.

TANZANIA: Tanzania Has Highest Population Of Wild Animals In Africa

The Northern Circuit is probably Africa’s most dramatic wildlife area. Game safaris never fail to satisfy with the thrill of the big game; they also offer diverse flora, panoramic landscapes and spectacular mountains; the game migrations across the plains defy description. The Serengeti is an ‘Immortal Eden’ where nature reigns - vast endless plains echo with thundering hooves of over two million migrating wildebeest.

Ngorongoro crater heralded as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ is an awe-inspiring caldera; enclosed by sheer walls the crater is breathtaking; this Garden of Eden flourishes with flora and fauna. The Northern Circuit has other equally exceptional game sanctuaries such as Tarangire National Park, which during the dry season has teeming herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle passing through in search of water; and patiently the predators follow these grazers; Tarangire National Park also boasts many hundreds of bird species.

Lake Manyara National Park where tree-climbing lions sprawl on stout limbs of acacia. The lovely Arusha National Park nestling against Mount Meru; Lakes Natron and Eyasi are soda lakes that are as fascinating as they are remote and Olduvai Gorge known as the cradle of humankind; so come and let us take you on a safari of a lifetime in Northern Tanzania.

The Southern Circuit is off the beaten track. It is said that Tanzania even now has undiscovered nature secrets. This is not an exaggeration and the seldom-traveled southern circuit offers safaris that evoke the romance, enchantment and spiritual delight of the African bush. The Selous Game Reserve embraces 54,000 square kilometers of southwestern Tanzania; it is the largest protected wilderness reserve on the continent, three times larger than the Serengeti.
There is also Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is a park without roads and is Tanzania’s first National Park created primarily to protect flora rather than fauna. Other parks in Southern Tanzania are Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park and the Southern Highlands close to Lake Nyasa ,Lake Malawi.

Chimpanzee trails at Lake Tanganyika along the almost inaccessible Lake Tanganyika – the world’s second deepest lake – lay two exceptional game parks which are home to troops of chimpanzee. Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountain National Park provide a rare opportunity to observe and study behavior of one of the most interesting area the world has to offer.

Kilimanjaro “As far as you can see, as wide as the whole world and unbelievably white as the sun” This is Kilimanjaro through the eyes of Ernest Hemingway. At 5895m Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest point and the world’s highest freestanding mountain. Incredibly, the snow-capped peak is only a few hours away from a tropical coastline.

It is fascinating to experience this mountain as it raise majestically above the hazy African plains and trekking to the summit from equatorial Africa to artic conditions; passing through tropical rain forest, moorland, alpine desert onto snow and ice.
Routes for climbing Kilimanjaro are: - Marangu, Rongia, Machame, Mweka, Umbwe and Shira Plateau. Anyone above the age of 12 years, physically fit enough to walk 20 km per day may attempt to climb this mountain.

Zanzibar never fails to evoke the exotic, the magic of ancient times, from early explorers and missionaries, to slave traders and colonial rulers. All this is mirrored in Stone Town and its historical architecture and the rich ethnic mixture of its culture. In the towns’ narrow streets, every sight, every glance conjures up the romantic past. Beyond Stone Town clad in spice gardens are silver sandy beaches bejeweled by superb resorts. Zanzibar is a tropical paradise that dreams are made from; pristine beaches, unspoiled reefs, fantastic sport fishing and romantic dhow cruises make Zanzibar the ideal place to relax after your safari.

The scintillating coast crystal seas, sun bleached white sands give Tanzania’s cost a scintillating appearance. The palm fringed coastline look out over the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Tranquil coral lagoons shelter underwater coral gardens, boasting some of the best diving in the world; Tanzania and Zanzibar welcome you to explore a diving paradise. Ancient ruins rest among whispering easuarinas and palms enticing you to explore.

Take time to discover the bustling city of Dar es Salaam: Bagamoyo an old slave port north of Dar es Salaam: Pangani famous for game fishing at the Pemba Channel and to the south is Kilwa with its fascinating medieval ruins and remote white beaches.

TANZANIA: Mafia Island

Safari Itineraries with Beach Holidays in Dar-es-Salaam, Pangani, Mafia and Spicy Island of Zanzibar.

Mafia Island is the quintessential scuba divers retreat. A small island just off the mainland, it was rather inaccessible until recently when scheduled charter flights began.

With only two tourist lodges on the island, you can rest assured that you will not be confronted with an influx of tourists fighting for space on the beach!

It is an island retreat for beach lovers, diving enthusiasts and big game fishermen alike.

With its soothing setting and tranquil milieu, the island of Mafia, was an important trading centre between the 11th and 13th centuries now draws tourist to its extraordinary coral formations and Marine Park.

The water of the island is spending for swimming, snorkeling, Scuba diving scaling and sport fishing. Also in Mafia you can see Ras Kilimani Ruins.

Mafia’s interesting history and stunning beaches, combining with several luxurious and discreet hotels, make it one of Tanzania’s hidden gems.