The Uluguru Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountain range in eastern Tanzania, renowned for their high biodiversity and ancient forests. They are a vital watershed for the Ruvu River, which supplies Dar es Salaam. The highest point of the main range is 2,630 meters. Forests are...
We spent a few days in Morogoro, a vibrant “hidden gem” in eastern Tanzania, known for its lush scenery and proximity to the Uluguru Mountains. It is also an important transit hub due to its location at the intersection of key highways connecting Dar es Salaam to central and...
We used this destination to relax a bit after rough off-roading in the last few days. To our surprise, this popular beach area, located just an hour’s drive from Dar es Salaam, was pretty developed, but still charming and relaxing. It is known for its pristine white-sand beaches...
After our full day sightseeing of the island, we ended up in Utende, a village on the southeast coast of Mafia Island, situated within the boundaries of the Marine Park (🎟️59,372 TZS). It is East Africa’s premier diving and marine life destination, offering diverse habitats and...
The Ras Mkumbi Lighthouse, built around 1894, is a functioning landmark (🎟️10,000 TZS) at the northern tip of Mafia Island, offering panoramic views of the island and ocean. It’s located in a historically significant area of the island, which has been a crucial stop for traders and...
We hired a local tuk-tuk for 80,000 TZS for the whole day to go around the island (166 km). Our first stop was Kabanga Beach in a northern section of the island known for its pristine, white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and a tranquil atmosphere, offering a secluded and simple...
The ferry to Mafia Island should depart daily around 9 AM from Nyamisati, the mainland port, offering a comfortable, modern vessel with air-conditioning and seating. The journey takes approximately five hours and costs 16,000 TZS. It has been chaotic and time-consuming to reserve the...
Lesser known than the more famous Zanzibar, Mafia Island is a little hard to reach, and if you do not choose the hard way, then it can get rather expensive with a flight from Dar Es Salaam. Of course, we chose the hard way and took a 40-kilometre-long, dirty, and narrow road to reach the...
Kilwa Kivinje was a prominent maritime city-state that flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries, dominating the Swahili Coast and becoming a centre for trade in gold, ivory, and slaves. In the 19th century, the town was a terminus of the southern slave caravan route and served as a...
We sailed to the tiny island of Songo Mnara, about 8km south of Kilwa Kisiwani, for about one and a half hours. It contains ruins at its northern end – including a palace, several mosques and numerous houses built from coral and mortar – that are believed to date from the 14th and 15th...