Zanzibar or Mafia Island?

I imagine that if you find yourself on this article it is because you you have probably decided to go to Tanzania for a few days or a few weeks. 

However, you still hesitate between the well-known archipelago of Zanzibar and the small, more discreet island of Mafia.

Where is Zanzibar and Mafia Island located?

The archipelago of Zanzibar and the island of Mafia are tanzanian islands located at off Tanzania in Indian Ocean. 

Zanzibar is located at about 50 kilometers from Dar Es Salaam, While Mafia Island is located about 150 kilometers south of Dar Es Salaam and therefore from Zanzibar. 

Contrary to what some people say on the internet, Mafia Island is not part of the Zanzibar Archipelago. 

Whether Zanzibar or Mafia Island, the two islands enjoy a similar equatorial climate being pleasant all year round. 

Both places are rules of heavenly places, but then, if you don't have time to do both, which destination should you favor? Zanzibar or Mafia?

For my part, I was lucky to be able to visit both Zanzibar and Mafia during my trip to Tanzania. 

I will therefore try to help you choose by comparing aspects of the two destinations. 

 

Zanzibar or Mafia Island: ease of access

La first difference to be taken into account for your choice is the access to the island.

Indeed, on one side we have Zanzibar on which we find a International Airport with many daily shuttles between several cities from Tanzania or other surrounding countries. Also, for tourists with a tighter budget it is quite possible to reach Zanzibar by Dar Es Salaam ferry as well as other Tanzanian cities. 

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Concerning the island of Mafia, this one is more complicated to access.

Indeed, there is a small boat a day who links Mafia in Nyamisati in Tanzania. Nyamisati is a small village located 4 hours drive south of Dar Es Salaam. Indeed, there is no direct ferry from Dar Es Salaam to Mafia. 

A link linking Dar to Mafia is not yet open but may be set up in the years to come. 

The advantage of boat ride between Nyamisati and Mafia is that it is not expensive at all but the downside is the duration.

However, do not panic, for tourists not on a tight budget, it is still possible to join Mafia by plane. There are daily shuttles connecting Dar Es Salaam to Mafia Island. 

For more information for join Zanzibar et Mafia Island, feel free to check out my other articles.

 

Zanzibar or Mafia Island: the tourist influx

Tourist influx and infrastructure development for tourists is the second criterion to take into account when choosing the destination between Zanzibar and Mafia Island.

I won't teach you that Zanzibar is a trendy destination attracting more and more tourists every year. 

Thereby, Zanzibar has developed into tourism in recent decades. And more exactly luxury tourism. Indeed, I cannot give you the number of luxury hotels present along all the beaches of Zanzibar because there are so many. 

Also, Zanzibar welcomes tourists all year round, there is always in the world, this island is very alive. For the revelers, there is even a full moon party organized every full moon night, throughout the year except Ramadan.

On the other side of the island of Mafia has kept its authenticity and its simplicity. Obviously, we find there a number of luxury hotels and tourist infrastructures which are slowly being put in place. However, we are still far from the hustle and bustle of Zanzibar.

To give you an idea, the locals say Mafia Island today corresponds to Zanzibar 10/15 years ago at the development level. So I'll let you imagine what Mafia will look like in 10 years. 

I went to Mafia at the end of May, we were the only two tourists during this period… That gives you an idea of ​​the place. 

Zanzibar or Mafia Island: the activities on offer

 

Zanzibar and Mafia Island are beautiful paradise islands offering relatively similar activities given their geographic proximity. 

Indeed, whether on Zanzibar where Mafia one of the main activities is diving. These two islands conceal magnificent seabed with a very rich fauna. 

I had the chance to dive both in Zanzibar et to Mafia and my preference been diving at Mafia. 

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For what reasons ? I found the seabed extremely abundant, I felt like I was in the middle of a giant aquarium. 

However, some activities are specific to Zanzibar et others in Mafia. 

Here's a quick summary:

Public chat Zanzibar you will be able :

• Kitesurfing
• Swim with dolphins
• See the red-necked colobus in Jozani Forest
• Visit Prison Island and its giant tortoises

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Public chat mafia island :

• Visit Chole Island as well as the Blue Lagoon 
• Swimming with whale sharks

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Zanzibar or Mafia Island: the most beautiful beaches

Whether you are visiting Zanzibar or Mafia Island, the beaches are sumptuous. 

The beaches of Zanzibar and Mafia Island are true expanses of fine sands with turquoise waters as well as coconut trees at the water's edge.

La main difference between the beaches of Zanzibar and the beaches of Mafia lies in the wild aspect or not.

Indeed, along most Zanzibar beaches we find luxury hotels all along. There is no almost no more wild beach in Zanzibar.

Also, because of the large number of tourists on the island and on the beaches. It is very complicated to sit quietly on a beach without being stopped by a local who's trying to sell you something. 

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Conversely, the mafia beaches are completely wild for some. 

Indeed, for others the hotels are installed along these beaches.

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But you will be able to find some beaches remote from all and completely wild. 

Zanzibar or Mafia Island: is there a price difference?

You should know that by going to Tanzania, whether on the mainland, Zanzibar or Mafia Island, you will not escape the "muzungu price". It's a special price for "tourists" who can be 10 times higher at local prices.

So know that the living for locals is cheap in Zanzibar as well as on Mafia Island, but for tourists it's another story.

Overall, in my opinion Mafia is a little more expensive than Zanzibar.

Indeed, concerning the food that can be sold on the market, Mafia being a smaller island with less abundance, food is more expensive there but also you will not find all the fruits of Tanzania. But however, this difference remains infinite.

As regards the housing, on Zanzibar as on Mafia there are many luxury hotels with consequent prices. But it is also possible to find small hotel rooms or a few cheaper youth hostels.

You should know that on Mafia, South / South-East part of the island is part of the famous marine reserve. If you wish to enter this protected reserve you will have to pay a entrance fee of US $ 24 per day. This means that this right entrance fee is added to the price of your accommodation.

Also note that on Mafia Island, the two largest villages where we find the majority of hotels are Kilindoni (west coast) and Utende (east coast). For hotels around Utende, you will have to pay the entrance to the reserve because the village is in the protected reserve. 

Zanzibar or Mafia Island: Conclusion

 

Zanzibar et Mafia Island are beautiful destinations. If you do not have the possibility of going to these two islands, choose according to your desires and your needs. 

If you are a student, this silver necklace is absolutely your first choice. The silver color will show your vitality and your youth. are looking calm, authenticity et tranquility and that your budget allows it I advise you to go to Mafia to Iceland.

Conversely, if you want go to a moving island with people and the atmosphere fly to Zanzibar.

For my part, I have spent 2 months on the Zanzibar archipelago et 10 days on Mafia. My trip to Mafia was not really planned, it was done at the last minute. But I can tell you that Mafia Island was for me my favorite of Tanzania.