Mafia Island although on the way of becoming a popular destination for visitors to relax after their safari and for winding away from the daily stressing life and routine still retains a special unique atmosphere and secure to its guests one of a kind of a stay .Secluded beaches and un crowded environment offer the privacy and relax that discerning travelers are longing for. Accommodations for any budget can be found on the island but wherever you will decide to stay the kindness friendly hospitality and warm smiles of its inhabitants will be one of the highlight of your vacation.Mafia lies 20km east from where Rufiji river delta empties its water into Indian Ocean and nearly 200km south of Zanzibar. It is an archipelago formed by small islands that approximately 20,000s years ago were joined to the mainland.
The origin of the name of these islands remains unclear. Some argue that the name of Mafia is coming from the medieval Arabic term Monfiyeh or Monfia, while others suggest an archaic Kiswahili term Ma-afya referring to the healthful properties of the region.For centuries, the island was a trading stop for Shirazi merchants traveling up towards Persia and under the rule of the Omani sultanate in Zanzibar, vast coconut and cashew plantations flourished. Today, all that remain of the islands prestigious past are the coral ruins on Kua in Juaniisland and Chole Island, the small islands just off shore from Mafia where the Arab landowners lived a sumptuous life removed from their plantations and slaves.These days, Mafia Island remains a somehow remote location discovered only by the most selective visitors, but more and more of them are enjoying every year the beauty of this still unique place