MAFIA ISLAND LODGE – MAFIA

From the 8th century onwards, Mafia served as an important stop on the trade route between East Asia and the Swahili coastline. During medieval times, it was part of the powerful Kilwa Sultanate and vendors came to sell products from the Tanzanian mainland and the neighboring islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, Comoros and Madagascar to buyers from across the Arabian Sea. At various times throughout its history, Mafia has been occupied by foreign invaders including the Arabs, the Omanis, the Portuguese, the Germans and the British.

It is a small island, measuring just 30 miles (50 kilometers) in length and 10 miles (15 kilometers) across at its widest point. The main town, Kilindoni, is located on the northwest shore and is connected by road to two other settlements: Utende in the southeast and Bweni in the far north. Most visitors spend their time in Utende, which is the jumping off point for Chole Bay, the Mafia Island Marine Park and the ruins on nearby Chole and Juani islands. The majority of Mafia’s luxury resorts and dive centers are located there, including Mafia Island Diving and Big Blu.