Indian Ocean islands and the green highlands behind the coast: reefs, dhows, spice-scented history and cool mountain trails.
Plan a trip here →Tanzania's coast lets a safari trip slow down. Mafia Island offers quiet reefs, whale sharks in season and a marine park that feels a world away from the busier beaches, while the lush Usambara Mountains, a short drive inland from the coast, provide cool forest hikes, viewpoints and village life.
The coast is where East Africa meets the wider Indian Ocean world. Swahili culture, dhow sailing and centuries of trade with Arabia and India shape the food, the architecture and the pace of life. It is a place to snorkel, dive and unwind after the effort of a safari.
Just inland, the Usambara Mountains reveal a completely different Tanzania: terraced farms, misty forest, rare endemic plants and birds, and viewpoints that drop away to the plains. Together, the islands and the highlands make an easy, restorative counterpoint to the parks.
An Indian Ocean island retreat on Mafia Island mixing beach relaxation with scuba diving on coral reefs, a traditional dhow sail with snorkeling, and a Swahili cooking class. Historical…
A nature-and-culture trip through the Usambara Mountains based in Lushoto, with a sunset stop at Irente Viewpoint, a guided hike through Magamba Forest Reserve, a visit to the Kisasa…
Peak months: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
October to March is the best time for diving on Mafia and for whale sharks, with November to February at its peak. June to October is drier and cooler, and best for the Usambara. The long rains from March to May are the quietest and wettest.
Mafia Island is reached by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam, usually a short scheduled flight. The Usambara Mountains are a scenic drive from Moshi or Arusha, or from the coastal town of Tanga.
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