Indigo Safaris

  • Safari & Beach
    • South Africa >
      • Cape Town >
        • Cape Town Accommodation >
          • Deluxe Cape Town
          • Classic Cape Town
          • Low-key Cape Town
        • Cape Town Sightseeing
      • Cape Winelands
      • The Garden Route >
        • Deluxe Garden Route
        • Classic Garden Route
        • Low-key Garden Route
      • Eastern Cape Reserves >
        • Deluxe Eastern Cape
        • Classic Eastern Cape
        • Low-key Eastern Cape
      • KwaZulu-Natal >
        • KwaZulu-Natal Game Reserves >
          • KwaZulu Natal Safari Itineraries >
            • Deluxe KwaZulu Natal Safari
            • Classic KwaZulu Natal
            • Low-key KwaZulu Natal Safari
          • Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
          • Manyoni Game Reserve
          • Thanda Game Reserve
          • Phinda Game Reserve
          • Nambiti Game Reserve
          • Tembe Elephant Park
        • iSimangaliso Wetland Park
        • Battlefields
        • The Drakensberg
        • Durban
        • KwaZulu Natal Combinations
      • Greater Kruger >
        • Kruger National Park
        • Mala Mala Game Reserve
        • Sabi Sand Game Reserve >
          • Deluxe Sabi Sand
          • Classic Sabi Sand
          • Low-key Sabi Sand
        • Timbavati Game Reserve >
          • Deluxe Timbavati
          • Classic Timbavati
          • Low-key Timbavati
        • Klaserie Game Reserve >
          • Deluxe Klaserie
          • Classic Klaserie
          • Low-key Klaserie
        • Balule Game Reserve
        • Thornybush Game Reserve
        • Kapama Game Reserve
        • Makalali Game Reserve
        • Manyeleti Game Reserve
        • Motlala Game Reserve
      • Madikwe Game Reserve >
        • Deluxe Madikwe
        • Classic Madikwe
      • Johannesburg
      • South Africa Combination Itineraries
    • Namibia >
      • Namibia Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Namibia
        • Classic Namibia
        • Low Key Namibia
      • Windhoek
      • Etosha
      • Kaokoland
      • Damaraland
      • Swakopmund and Skeleton Coast
      • Sossusvlei
      • NamibRand
      • Kalahari
      • Deep South
    • Botswana >
      • Botswana Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Botswana
        • Classic Botswana
        • Low-Key Botswana
      • Chobe National Park
      • Savuti
      • Khwai
      • Moremi Game Reserve
      • Linyanti & Kwando
      • Okavango Delta
      • Maun
      • Makgadikgadi Pans & Nxai Pan
      • Central Kalahari
    • Zimbabwe >
      • Victoria Falls >
        • Deluxe Victoria Falls
        • Classic Victoria Falls
        • Low-key Victoria Falls
      • Hwange National Park >
        • Deluxe Hwange
        • Classic Hwange
        • Low-key Hwange
      • Matopos
      • Mana Pools >
        • Deluxe Mana Pools
        • Classic Mana Pools
        • Low-key Mana Pools
      • Lake Kariba
      • Zimbabwe Combination Itineraries
    • Zambia >
      • Livingstone >
        • Deluxe Livingstone
        • Classic Livingstone
        • Low-key Livingstone
      • Lower Zambezi National Park >
        • Deluxe Lower Zambezi
        • Classic Lower Zambezi
        • Low-Key Lower Zambezi
      • South Luangwa >
        • Deluxe South Luangwa
        • Classic South Luangwa
        • Low-Key South Luangwa
      • North Luangwa
      • Kafue National Park >
        • Deluxe Kafue
        • Classic Kafue
        • Low-Key Kafue
      • Zambia Combination Itineraries
    • Malawi >
      • Malawi itineraries
      • Lake Malawi
      • Malawi National Parks
    • Mozambique >
      • Mozambique Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Mozambique
        • Classic Mozambique
      • Maputo
      • Ponta do Ouro
      • Vilanculos
      • Bazaruto Archipelago
      • Tofo & Barra
      • Quirimbas Archipelago >
        • Ibo Island
        • Quilalea Island
        • Vamizi Island
        • Medjumbe Island
    • Southern Africa Combination Itineraries
    • Tanzania >
      • Northern Tanzania >
        • Northern Tanzania itineraries >
          • Deluxe Northern Tanzania
          • Classic Northern Tanzania Itineraries
          • Low-Key Northern Tanzania itineraries
        • Arusha
        • Tarangire
        • Lake Manyara
        • Ngorongoro Crater
        • The Serengeti
      • Southern Tanzania >
        • Southern Tanzania itineraries >
          • Deluxe Southern Tanzania
          • Classic Southern Tanzania
          • Low Key Southern Tanzania
        • Selous Game Reserve/Nyerere National Park
        • Ruaha National Park
        • Mikumi National Park
        • Kilwa
      • Western Tanzania >
        • Western Tanzania itineraries >
          • Deluxe Western Tanzania
          • Classic Western Tanzania
        • Mahale National Park
        • Katavi National Park
        • Gombe Streams National Park
      • Tanzanian Islands >
        • Tanzanian Island itineraries >
          • Deluxe Tanzanian Islands
          • Classic Tanzanian Islands
          • Low-Key Tanzanian Islands
        • Zanzibar >
          • Stone Town
          • Zanzibar Beaches
        • Pemba Island >
          • Pemba Island History & Culture
        • Mafia Island >
          • Mafia Island Activities
          • Mafia Island History
        • Fanjove Island
        • Lazy Lagoon
      • Tanzania Combination Itineraries
    • Kenya >
      • Kenya Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Kenya
        • Classic Kenya
        • Low-Key Kenya
      • Nairobi
      • Maasai Mara Conservancies
      • Maasai Mara National Reserve
      • Amboseli National Park
      • Laikipia Plateau
      • Rift Valley Lakes
      • Samburu Buffalo Springs & Shaba National Reserves
      • Tsavo National Park
    • Uganda >
      • Uganda Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Uganda
        • Classic Uganda
        • Low Key Uganda
      • Entebbe, Kampala & Lake Victoria
      • Lake Mburo
      • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
      • Queen Elizabeth National Park
      • Kibale Forest Area
      • Murchison Falls
      • Jinja
      • Kidepo Valley
    • East Africa Combination Itineraries
    • Madagascar >
      • Antananarivo & Around
      • Madagascar East
      • Route National 7
      • Madagascar North
      • Madagascar West
      • Madagascar South
      • Madagascar Islands
    • Mauritius >
      • Mauritius Itineraries
      • Mauritius Beaches
      • Mauritius Interior
    • Maldives >
      • Deluxe Maldives
      • Classic Maldives
      • Low-key Maldives
    • Seychelles >
      • Seychelles Inner Islands >
        • North Island
        • Mahé
        • Praslin
        • La Digue
        • Silhouette
        • Round Island
        • Bird Island
        • Cerf Island
        • Chauve Souris
        • Cousine Island
        • Denis Island
        • Frégate Island
        • Ste Anne
      • Seychelles Outer Islands >
        • Alphonse Island
        • Astove Atoll
        • Cosmoledo Atoll
        • Desroches
        • Aldabra Atoll
        • Assumption
        • African Banks
        • D’Arros Island
        • Poivre Atoll
        • Remire Island
        • St Joseph Atoll
        • Coëtivy Island
        • Platte
    • St Helena >
      • St Helena Accommodation
      • Walks
      • Post Box Walks
      • Place to Visit
      • St Helena Nature
      • St Helena Diving
  • Diving & Snorkelling
    • Africa and the Indian Ocean >
      • South Africa Diving >
        • Cape Town Diving
        • Kwazulu Natal Diving >
          • Aliwal Shoal
          • Protea Banks
          • Sodwana Bay
        • Sardine Run
      • Mozambique Diving >
        • Ponta do Ouro Diving
        • Tofo Diving
        • Bazaruto diving
        • Quirimbas Diving >
          • Ibo Island Diving
          • Quilalea Diving
          • Medjumbe Diving
          • Vamizi Diving
      • Tanzania Diving >
        • Zanzibar diving
        • Pemba Diving
        • Mafia Island Diving
      • St Helena Diving >
        • St Helena Dive and Snorkel Trips 2023
      • Maldives >
        • Maldives Deep South
        • Maldives Liveaboards >
          • Blueforce 1
          • Carpe Diem
          • Carpe Novo
          • Carpe Vita
          • Blue Spirit
          • Blue Voyager
          • Emperor Explorer
          • Duke of York
          • MV Sheena
      • Seychelles Diving >
        • Alphonse Diving
        • Cosmoledo Diving
    • Caribbean & Americas >
      • Bahamas >
        • Travel Information
        • Bimini >
          • ​Bimini Hilton Resort World
          • ​Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina
          • Bimini Diving
          • Bimini Dive packages
        • Andros Island >
          • Small Hope Bay Lodge
        • San Salvador
        • Grand Bahama
        • New Providence
        • Long Island
        • The Exumas
        • Bahamas liveaboards
        • Bahamas Tiger Beach Shark Safari 2021
      • Turks and Caicos >
        • Humpback whale snorkeling
      • Dominica >
        • Dominica Sperm Whales
        • Dominica Diving
      • St Eustatia -Statia
      • Mexico >
        • Baja Sur >
          • Sea of Cortez Liveaboards >
            • Orcas and Mobulas - Sea of Cortez Photography Trip
            • Rocio Del Mar
            • Quino el Guardian
          • Socorro
          • La Paz
          • Cabo San Lucas >
            • The Pelagic Safari
            • Cabo San Lucas Diving
            • Cabo San Lucas Dive Rates
      • The Galapagos >
        • Galapagos Liveaboards >
          • ​AGGRESSOR III
          • Humboldt Explorer
          • Galapagos Master
        • Galapagos Land Based Multi-Island
        • Galapagos wildlife cruises >
          • MY San Jose
          • MY Eden
          • SY Nemo I
          • MY Archipell I
      • Cocos Island >
        • Cocos Dive sites
        • Okeanos Aggressor I
        • Okeanos Aggressor II
        • Sea Hunter
        • Argo
        • Cocos Expedition 2021
    • Indonesia >
      • Bali >
        • Seminyak Luxury Accommodation
        • Bali Dive Safaris
      • Komodo National Park >
        • Komodo Liveaboards >
          • Pratiwi
          • Lalunia
          • Sinar Pagi
        • Kalimaya Resort >
          • Kalimaya Resort Accommodation
          • Kalimaya Resort Diving
      • West Papua and Raja Ampat >
        • Dampier Straits dive sites
        • Indonesia Liveaboards
        • Papua Explorers
        • Kri eco resort
        • Sorido Bay Resort
        • The Baliem Valley >
          • The Baliem Valley Tour 1
      • Lembeh >
        • Lembeh Diving
        • NAD Lembeh Resort >
          • NAD Lembeh Diving
        • Lembeh Resort
        • Cocotinos Lembeh Resort
        • Two Fish Lembeh Resort
      • Bangka Island >
        • Bangka Accommodation
        • Bangka Diving
      • Siladen Island >
        • Siladen Resort
        • Siladen Diving
      • Manado >
        • Two Fish Resort Bunaken
        • Cocotinos Manado Resort
        • Murex Manado Resort
        • Manado Diving
      • Indonesia Liveaboards >
        • Raja Ampat Aggressor
        • Emperor Raja Laut
        • Ondina Liveaboard
        • Sea Safari 8
        • Sea Safari VI
        • Sea Safari VII
        • Cheng Ho
        • Amira Liveaboard
        • Indo Aggressor
        • Tambora Liveaboard
        • Seahorse Liveaboard
        • Adelaar Liveaboard
        • Damai I Liveaboard
        • Damai II Liveaboard
        • Tarata Liveaboard
        • Ambai Liveaboard
        • Gaia Love
        • Putri Papua
        • Indo Siren Liveaboard
        • TemuKira Liveaboard
        • Solitude Adventurer
        • Pearl of Papua
        • Seven Seas
        • Pindito Liveaboard
        • Mermaid I Liveaboard
        • Mermaid II Liveaboard
        • Dewi Nusantara
        • Coralia liveaboard
        • Blue Manta
        • True North
    • Oceania and The South Pacific >
      • Papua New Guinea >
        • PNG Dive Specials
        • Tufi >
          • At Tufi Dive Resort
          • Tufi Reefs And Muck Diving
          • Tufi Wrecks
          • Tufi Fishing
          • Tufi Village Guesthouses Stays
          • Tufi Birding and Wildlife
          • Tufi Gallery
          • Tufi Videos
        • Walindi >
          • At Walindi Plantation Resort
          • Walindi Tours and Walks
          • Walindi Bird Watching
          • Walindi Diving
          • Walindi Gallery
          • Walindi videos
        • Lissenung Island Resort >
          • Lissenung Island Life
          • Lissenung Island accommodation
          • Lissenung Diving
          • Lissenung Surfing
          • Lissenung Fishing
          • Lissenung Tours
          • Lissenung Gallery
          • Lissenung Videos
        • Rapopo Plantation Resort >
          • Rapopo Diving
          • Rapopo Tours
        • Papua New Guinea Liveaboards >
          • MV Oceania >
            • MV Oceania Itineraries
          • MV FeBrina >
            • On Board The Febrina
            • MV FeBrina Itineraries
            • Mv Febrina Gallery
            • Mv Febrina Videos
        • Madang >
          • Madang Accommodation
          • Madang Diving
      • Palau Snapper Spawning Trip May 2023
      • Truk Lagoon Escorted trip November 2023
    • South East Asia >
      • The Philippines >
        • Puerto Galera >
          • Puerto Galera diving
          • Puerto Galera Tours and activities
          • Atlantis Resort Puerto Galera Special Offer
        • Atlantis Azores, Christmas and New Year Special
        • Anilao, Batangas >
          • Aiyanar Beach & Dive Resort >
            • Aiyanar diving
        • Philippines Liveaboard >
          • Philippines Siren
          • Siren Southern Visayas
          • Siren Leyte
          • Moalboal >
            • Magic Island Resort Accommodation
            • Magic Island Resort Diving
          • Siren Tubbataha
        • Bohol >
          • Magic Ocean Resort Accommodation
          • Magic Ocean Resort Diving
        • Negros >
          • Atlantis Dumaguete >
            • Atlantis Dumaguete Accommodation
            • Atlantis Dumaguete Diving
          • Punta Bulata >
            • Punta Bulata Accommodation
            • Punta Bulata Diving
    • The Red Sea >
      • Sudan Diving
  • Specials & Faves
    • Safari & Beach Specials
    • Solo Safari Specials
    • Family Safari Specials
    • Dive Specials
  • Testimonials
  • Giving back
  • Indigoblog
  • Why Book With Us?
  • Safari & Beach
    • South Africa >
      • Cape Town >
        • Cape Town Accommodation >
          • Deluxe Cape Town
          • Classic Cape Town
          • Low-key Cape Town
        • Cape Town Sightseeing
      • Cape Winelands
      • The Garden Route >
        • Deluxe Garden Route
        • Classic Garden Route
        • Low-key Garden Route
      • Eastern Cape Reserves >
        • Deluxe Eastern Cape
        • Classic Eastern Cape
        • Low-key Eastern Cape
      • KwaZulu-Natal >
        • KwaZulu-Natal Game Reserves >
          • KwaZulu Natal Safari Itineraries >
            • Deluxe KwaZulu Natal Safari
            • Classic KwaZulu Natal
            • Low-key KwaZulu Natal Safari
          • Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
          • Manyoni Game Reserve
          • Thanda Game Reserve
          • Phinda Game Reserve
          • Nambiti Game Reserve
          • Tembe Elephant Park
        • iSimangaliso Wetland Park
        • Battlefields
        • The Drakensberg
        • Durban
        • KwaZulu Natal Combinations
      • Greater Kruger >
        • Kruger National Park
        • Mala Mala Game Reserve
        • Sabi Sand Game Reserve >
          • Deluxe Sabi Sand
          • Classic Sabi Sand
          • Low-key Sabi Sand
        • Timbavati Game Reserve >
          • Deluxe Timbavati
          • Classic Timbavati
          • Low-key Timbavati
        • Klaserie Game Reserve >
          • Deluxe Klaserie
          • Classic Klaserie
          • Low-key Klaserie
        • Balule Game Reserve
        • Thornybush Game Reserve
        • Kapama Game Reserve
        • Makalali Game Reserve
        • Manyeleti Game Reserve
        • Motlala Game Reserve
      • Madikwe Game Reserve >
        • Deluxe Madikwe
        • Classic Madikwe
      • Johannesburg
      • South Africa Combination Itineraries
    • Namibia >
      • Namibia Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Namibia
        • Classic Namibia
        • Low Key Namibia
      • Windhoek
      • Etosha
      • Kaokoland
      • Damaraland
      • Swakopmund and Skeleton Coast
      • Sossusvlei
      • NamibRand
      • Kalahari
      • Deep South
    • Botswana >
      • Botswana Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Botswana
        • Classic Botswana
        • Low-Key Botswana
      • Chobe National Park
      • Savuti
      • Khwai
      • Moremi Game Reserve
      • Linyanti & Kwando
      • Okavango Delta
      • Maun
      • Makgadikgadi Pans & Nxai Pan
      • Central Kalahari
    • Zimbabwe >
      • Victoria Falls >
        • Deluxe Victoria Falls
        • Classic Victoria Falls
        • Low-key Victoria Falls
      • Hwange National Park >
        • Deluxe Hwange
        • Classic Hwange
        • Low-key Hwange
      • Matopos
      • Mana Pools >
        • Deluxe Mana Pools
        • Classic Mana Pools
        • Low-key Mana Pools
      • Lake Kariba
      • Zimbabwe Combination Itineraries
    • Zambia >
      • Livingstone >
        • Deluxe Livingstone
        • Classic Livingstone
        • Low-key Livingstone
      • Lower Zambezi National Park >
        • Deluxe Lower Zambezi
        • Classic Lower Zambezi
        • Low-Key Lower Zambezi
      • South Luangwa >
        • Deluxe South Luangwa
        • Classic South Luangwa
        • Low-Key South Luangwa
      • North Luangwa
      • Kafue National Park >
        • Deluxe Kafue
        • Classic Kafue
        • Low-Key Kafue
      • Zambia Combination Itineraries
    • Malawi >
      • Malawi itineraries
      • Lake Malawi
      • Malawi National Parks
    • Mozambique >
      • Mozambique Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Mozambique
        • Classic Mozambique
      • Maputo
      • Ponta do Ouro
      • Vilanculos
      • Bazaruto Archipelago
      • Tofo & Barra
      • Quirimbas Archipelago >
        • Ibo Island
        • Quilalea Island
        • Vamizi Island
        • Medjumbe Island
    • Southern Africa Combination Itineraries
    • Tanzania >
      • Northern Tanzania >
        • Northern Tanzania itineraries >
          • Deluxe Northern Tanzania
          • Classic Northern Tanzania Itineraries
          • Low-Key Northern Tanzania itineraries
        • Arusha
        • Tarangire
        • Lake Manyara
        • Ngorongoro Crater
        • The Serengeti
      • Southern Tanzania >
        • Southern Tanzania itineraries >
          • Deluxe Southern Tanzania
          • Classic Southern Tanzania
          • Low Key Southern Tanzania
        • Selous Game Reserve/Nyerere National Park
        • Ruaha National Park
        • Mikumi National Park
        • Kilwa
      • Western Tanzania >
        • Western Tanzania itineraries >
          • Deluxe Western Tanzania
          • Classic Western Tanzania
        • Mahale National Park
        • Katavi National Park
        • Gombe Streams National Park
      • Tanzanian Islands >
        • Tanzanian Island itineraries >
          • Deluxe Tanzanian Islands
          • Classic Tanzanian Islands
          • Low-Key Tanzanian Islands
        • Zanzibar >
          • Stone Town
          • Zanzibar Beaches
        • Pemba Island >
          • Pemba Island History & Culture
        • Mafia Island >
          • Mafia Island Activities
          • Mafia Island History
        • Fanjove Island
        • Lazy Lagoon
      • Tanzania Combination Itineraries
    • Kenya >
      • Kenya Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Kenya
        • Classic Kenya
        • Low-Key Kenya
      • Nairobi
      • Maasai Mara Conservancies
      • Maasai Mara National Reserve
      • Amboseli National Park
      • Laikipia Plateau
      • Rift Valley Lakes
      • Samburu Buffalo Springs & Shaba National Reserves
      • Tsavo National Park
    • Uganda >
      • Uganda Itineraries >
        • Deluxe Uganda
        • Classic Uganda
        • Low Key Uganda
      • Entebbe, Kampala & Lake Victoria
      • Lake Mburo
      • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
      • Queen Elizabeth National Park
      • Kibale Forest Area
      • Murchison Falls
      • Jinja
      • Kidepo Valley
    • East Africa Combination Itineraries
    • Madagascar >
      • Antananarivo & Around
      • Madagascar East
      • Route National 7
      • Madagascar North
      • Madagascar West
      • Madagascar South
      • Madagascar Islands
    • Mauritius >
      • Mauritius Itineraries
      • Mauritius Beaches
      • Mauritius Interior
    • Maldives >
      • Deluxe Maldives
      • Classic Maldives
      • Low-key Maldives
    • Seychelles >
      • Seychelles Inner Islands >
        • North Island
        • Mahé
        • Praslin
        • La Digue
        • Silhouette
        • Round Island
        • Bird Island
        • Cerf Island
        • Chauve Souris
        • Cousine Island
        • Denis Island
        • Frégate Island
        • Ste Anne
      • Seychelles Outer Islands >
        • Alphonse Island
        • Astove Atoll
        • Cosmoledo Atoll
        • Desroches
        • Aldabra Atoll
        • Assumption
        • African Banks
        • D’Arros Island
        • Poivre Atoll
        • Remire Island
        • St Joseph Atoll
        • Coëtivy Island
        • Platte
    • St Helena >
      • St Helena Accommodation
      • Walks
      • Post Box Walks
      • Place to Visit
      • St Helena Nature
      • St Helena Diving
  • Diving & Snorkelling
    • Africa and the Indian Ocean >
      • South Africa Diving >
        • Cape Town Diving
        • Kwazulu Natal Diving >
          • Aliwal Shoal
          • Protea Banks
          • Sodwana Bay
        • Sardine Run
      • Mozambique Diving >
        • Ponta do Ouro Diving
        • Tofo Diving
        • Bazaruto diving
        • Quirimbas Diving >
          • Ibo Island Diving
          • Quilalea Diving
          • Medjumbe Diving
          • Vamizi Diving
      • Tanzania Diving >
        • Zanzibar diving
        • Pemba Diving
        • Mafia Island Diving
      • St Helena Diving >
        • St Helena Dive and Snorkel Trips 2023
      • Maldives >
        • Maldives Deep South
        • Maldives Liveaboards >
          • Blueforce 1
          • Carpe Diem
          • Carpe Novo
          • Carpe Vita
          • Blue Spirit
          • Blue Voyager
          • Emperor Explorer
          • Duke of York
          • MV Sheena
      • Seychelles Diving >
        • Alphonse Diving
        • Cosmoledo Diving
    • Caribbean & Americas >
      • Bahamas >
        • Travel Information
        • Bimini >
          • ​Bimini Hilton Resort World
          • ​Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina
          • Bimini Diving
          • Bimini Dive packages
        • Andros Island >
          • Small Hope Bay Lodge
        • San Salvador
        • Grand Bahama
        • New Providence
        • Long Island
        • The Exumas
        • Bahamas liveaboards
        • Bahamas Tiger Beach Shark Safari 2021
      • Turks and Caicos >
        • Humpback whale snorkeling
      • Dominica >
        • Dominica Sperm Whales
        • Dominica Diving
      • St Eustatia -Statia
      • Mexico >
        • Baja Sur >
          • Sea of Cortez Liveaboards >
            • Orcas and Mobulas - Sea of Cortez Photography Trip
            • Rocio Del Mar
            • Quino el Guardian
          • Socorro
          • La Paz
          • Cabo San Lucas >
            • The Pelagic Safari
            • Cabo San Lucas Diving
            • Cabo San Lucas Dive Rates
      • The Galapagos >
        • Galapagos Liveaboards >
          • ​AGGRESSOR III
          • Humboldt Explorer
          • Galapagos Master
        • Galapagos Land Based Multi-Island
        • Galapagos wildlife cruises >
          • MY San Jose
          • MY Eden
          • SY Nemo I
          • MY Archipell I
      • Cocos Island >
        • Cocos Dive sites
        • Okeanos Aggressor I
        • Okeanos Aggressor II
        • Sea Hunter
        • Argo
        • Cocos Expedition 2021
    • Indonesia >
      • Bali >
        • Seminyak Luxury Accommodation
        • Bali Dive Safaris
      • Komodo National Park >
        • Komodo Liveaboards >
          • Pratiwi
          • Lalunia
          • Sinar Pagi
        • Kalimaya Resort >
          • Kalimaya Resort Accommodation
          • Kalimaya Resort Diving
      • West Papua and Raja Ampat >
        • Dampier Straits dive sites
        • Indonesia Liveaboards
        • Papua Explorers
        • Kri eco resort
        • Sorido Bay Resort
        • The Baliem Valley >
          • The Baliem Valley Tour 1
      • Lembeh >
        • Lembeh Diving
        • NAD Lembeh Resort >
          • NAD Lembeh Diving
        • Lembeh Resort
        • Cocotinos Lembeh Resort
        • Two Fish Lembeh Resort
      • Bangka Island >
        • Bangka Accommodation
        • Bangka Diving
      • Siladen Island >
        • Siladen Resort
        • Siladen Diving
      • Manado >
        • Two Fish Resort Bunaken
        • Cocotinos Manado Resort
        • Murex Manado Resort
        • Manado Diving
      • Indonesia Liveaboards >
        • Raja Ampat Aggressor
        • Emperor Raja Laut
        • Ondina Liveaboard
        • Sea Safari 8
        • Sea Safari VI
        • Sea Safari VII
        • Cheng Ho
        • Amira Liveaboard
        • Indo Aggressor
        • Tambora Liveaboard
        • Seahorse Liveaboard
        • Adelaar Liveaboard
        • Damai I Liveaboard
        • Damai II Liveaboard
        • Tarata Liveaboard
        • Ambai Liveaboard
        • Gaia Love
        • Putri Papua
        • Indo Siren Liveaboard
        • TemuKira Liveaboard
        • Solitude Adventurer
        • Pearl of Papua
        • Seven Seas
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kilwa

KILWA

​Kilwa – meaning ‘Place of Fish’ – is the collective name given to three different areas on the Tanzanian coast: Kilwa Kisiwani, Kilwa Kivinje and Kilwa Masoko. Visitors come here to explore UNESCO-listed ruins that tell the story of centuries of coastal history.

Kilwa isn’t located on the usual tourist route, so the quality of accommodation isn’t as high, however, travellers who want to learn a little more about the colourful history of this area will find it an adventurous addition to an off-beat itinerary. 

Kilwa Masoko
The most modern of the three ‘Kilwas’, Kilwa Masoko is where most people base themselves to visit the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani. There is little of historical interest here, but Jimbizi Beach – where Kimbilio Hotel is situated – is pleasant enough for a day or two.
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Kilwa Kisiwani is an abandoned city filled with crumbling mosques, remnants of once glorious palaces, and ancient tombs. Said to be one of the most important-surviving relicts of the Islamic-influenced Swahili maritime trade, it’s quite rightly the main attraction for visitors to the area. The runs of the Sultan's 100-room palace are the largest palatial ruins on the continent, and the Great Mosque the oldest standing in East Africa. In 1331-1332, the great traveler, Ibn Battouta made a stop here and described Kilwa as one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

Kilwa Kivinje – a small town on the mainland – was once the southern centre of the slave trade with up to 20,000 slaves passing through annually and, consequently, it was very wealthy. Outlawed in 1873, the slave trade is still thought to have continued in Kilwa Kivinje until 1880. Afterwards, the Germans took over the town and used it as an administrative centre, but following the end of World War II the town gradually lost importance and today it is a small port. Travellers can visit the big fort with a cannon leftover from World War I, an old German market hall, as well as an attractive beach where you can watch the local fishermen. Very few people visit the area, so it provides an authentic insight into Tanzanian life.

Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara were Swahili trading cities and their prosperity was based on control of Indian Ocean trade with Arabia, India and China, particularly between the 13th and 16th centuries, when gold and ivory from the hinterland was traded for silver, carnelians, perfumes, Persian faience and Chinese porcelain. Kilwa Kisiwani minted its own currency in the 11th to 14th centuries. In the 16th century, the Portuguese established a fort on Kilwa Kisiwani and the decline of the two islands began.
The remains of Kilwa Kisiwani cover much of the island with many parts of the city still unexcavated. The substantial standing ruins, built of coral and lime mortar, include the Great Mosque constructed in the 11th century and considerably enlarged in the 13th century, and roofed entirely with domes and vaults, some decorated with embedded Chinese porcelain; the palace Husuni Kubwa built between 1310 and 1333 with its large octagonal bathing pool; Husuni Ndogo, numerous mosques, the Gereza (prison) constructed on the ruins of the Portuguese fort and an entire urban complex with houses, public squares, burial grounds, etc.
The ruins of Songo Mnara, at the northern end of the island, consist of the remains of five mosques, a palace complex, and some thirty-three domestic dwellings constructed of coral stones and wood within enclosing walls

From the 9th century all the way up until the 19th century, Kilwa Kisiwani was a wealthy and powerful port, reaching its peak around the late-Middle Ages. At its height, the empire stretched from Kenya to Mozambique, and Kilwa Kisiwani’s prosperity was crucial to the development of Swahili civilisation.  From the 13th to the 16th century, the merchants of Kilwa dealt in gold, silver, pearls, perfumes, Arabian crockery, Persian earthenware and Chinese porcelain; much of the trade in the Indian Ocean thus passed through their hands.
During this time great structures were built that are now stunning ruins, all that’s left of the late empire. One of the most impressive of the ruins is the Great Mosque, the oldest standing mosque on the East African coast, which has 16 domes supported by many arches and pillars. Another amazing site is the Palace of Husuni Kubwa, which overlooks the island from on high and was once the largest building in sub-Saharan Africa.
When the Portuguese took over the coastline in 1505 they assumed control of Kilwa Kisiwani. They murdered the majority of the residents and replaced the Arab palaces with forts. Today, a small number of local fishermen live on the island, but for the most part it is deserted. 
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How to get there
The island can be reached by a short boat ride, and explored with a private guide for around US$50, including the entrance fee (which the guide will buy on your behalf from the Department of Antiquities). The trip takes at least half a day, or a full day if you want to combine it with Songo Mnara.

Kimbilo Hotel

​Kimbilio” means “safe heaven” in Swahili. The lodge has been conceived to offer the visitor a unique sensation of peace and privacy. You will feel comfortable from the first very moment you land in this little bit of paradise.
Kimbilio Lodge is located on the Kilwa beach in Mso Bay, just on the waterfront, in one of the most beautiful and still unspoiled corners of the world.Kimbilio Lodge is a small family-style 6 rooms lodge by the beach lovingly looked after by Betty. The atmosphere is genuine and friendly, the food is delicious with an Italian family flare, overseen by Betty's watchful eye.The management ensures real Italian style merged with a sound African experience, bringing to life a magic mixture of colours, flavours and sensations, to make your stay a unique experience.
Each piece of the furniture is unique, as almost all have been crafted by hand with creativity and style, and with only  a few bungalows, it is spacious and friendly. The bungalows are round with real African makuti roof, very spacious and able to hosting from one to four guests.
Each bungalow has a private sea view of the white sand beach. In the Restaurant-Bar-Lounge, with a connected beach deck, you can find cold drinks, cocktails, international and specific Italian specialities, and on top of all, an atmosphere you will never forget.

​Activities
Sandbank: 40 Min from Kimbilio Lodge there is a beautiful sandbank… pristine white sand ideal for picnic, snorkeling, leisure shallow dives, relax, sundowners… It is reachable only with low tide.
Hippo cruise: 30 min boat ride from Kimbilio Lodge among mangroves, stunning bird life including eagles, chestnut plantations, upstream a river where hippos resides, further upstream crocodiles and sometime Elephants can be seen.
Kilwa Ruins: 10 min. boat ride from Kimbilio Lodge, on the island of Kilwa Kiswani is possible to visit the ruins of an ancient settlement. The largest and best-kept in East Africa.
To see some itinerary suggestions or request a bespoke itinerary including Kilwa, please click below.
Southern Tanzania Itineraries
East Africa combinations
request bespoke itinerary
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