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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Mafia Island HISTORY

MAFIA ISLAND HISTORY

​The first people to settle Mafia were the waMbwera, from the Rufiji Delta. The excavations in the Rufiji, on Koma Island and the Mafia archipelago conclude that Iron Age settlements were first established between 400 and 800 AD. The present site of Kinasi Lodge is thought to be one of these settlements.

The inhabitants of Mafia are recorded in the Kilwa Chronicles as the Mwera, who were ruled by Muslim settlers (Yemeni?) prior to the arrival of Bashat. But what of the first 1,000 years AD? Who were the people and what was the government of Mafia? Dr. Felix Chami of the University of Dar es Salaam believes that the first settlers were Early Iron Working and farming Bantu people, who crossed from the mainland and settled the islands, probably for their marine resources. This culture existed in 200-400 AD and was followed by a later native culture recognised as Triangular Iron Ware, which was extant with the settlement and domination from Arabia. The coast of Tanzania is known to have been originally settled by Late Stone Age people.

The defeat of the Portuguese by Oman in Mombasa in 1698 ended what had been a troubled and cruel Portuguese rule and gave the Sultan of Oman control of the coast from Lamu to Kilwa.

In 1829 Kua was destroyed by Sakalava cannibals from Madagascar and in 1872 Kisimani Mafia was destroyed in a cyclone. By then the seat of power had moved to Chole Island. The arrival of the Sakalava prompted the Sultan of Zanzibar to send a punitive expedition that included some of his personal Baluchi regiment. Descendants of these Pakistani people are to be found settled mainly in the area of Kitoni near Kisimani Mafia. There is also evidence for settlement of Mafia by Madagascans, Chinese, Malay and Indonesian peoples (who first settled Madagascar about 1,600 years ago). Pottery and coins indicate trade took place from at least the 8th Century.

Under a treaty in 1890 Germany took control of Mafia and in 1892 the first German Resident arrived and constructed the buildings still evident on Chole. Germany paid Sultan Ali ben Saad of Oman DM 4 million for Mafia and part of the mainland coast.

After its occupation by the Sultanate of Kilwa, there was a gradual influx of people from further south as well as slaves owned by the settlers and traders who followed. Excerpts from a passage in Dr Baumann’s report on Mafia (Baumann, O. (1896) ‘Mafia Island’ The Geographical Society of Leipzig) best describes the social evolution of Mafia and its extraordinary history of cultural inflow:

‘The Wambwera are the oldest of the inhabitants of Mafia, and are similar to the coast Swahilis between Kisiju and the mouth of the Rufiji. The name is derived from the village of Mbwera, situated in the delta, opposite to Kisimani Mafia, whence they emigrated long ago.’

‘They are dark coloured, and do not differ in dress and mode of life from the coast Swahilis. They belong to the Sunni sect…..They are a peaceable and contented people, and delight in agriculture and cattle tending. They have known no war for a long time. Even cases of youthful quarrels are rare. They live under petty chiefs.’

‘The Shatri are very old inhabitants of Mafia, of which they represent the nobility to an extent. They are the main inhabitants of Chole, and they also live at Kipingwi and Kipandeni, possessing estates all over the island. They call themselves Sharifu (ie descendents of the Prophet) and derive their descent from Hadhramout (Yemen). They are of the same line as the Shatri of Barawa, Siu (near Lamu) and Wasin, with whom they are related by marriage. Their emigration took place several centuries ago, and they are thought to be the Moors referrred to in Shirazi and Portuguese chronicles…..they are a mixture of Arab and Negro types….Their custom is to build mosques on their estates and bury their dead in walled graves with memorials like a type of pyramid.’

‘In addition to the above mentioned old settlers,…the slave population plays a great part. A large proportion of these came originally from the Rufiji District where they were sold cheaply owing to locust invasions. They belong to the tribes of the south…..being chiefly Nyasa and Yao. Most of them are the property of the Shatris and a few of the Wambwera.’

‘Probably soon after after the occupation of Seyyid Said (Salton of Oman), a number of Muscat Arabs settled on the island. Some of them founded a village near Kisimani Mafia and intermarried with the native women…..A few genuine Muscat Arabs live on Chole Island and near Kirongwe.’

‘Since some years, Suri fishermen from the Persian Gulf have settled on Mafia.’

‘Shihiri and persons from Hadhramout and Makalla are to be found on the island, of whom some are owners of estates, and others shopkeepers on Chole Island.’

‘Swahili from Malindi have settled on the south coast near ChemChem for two generations only. They are well off, possess estates and are of similar status to the Shatris.’

‘In Baleni there is a small colony of Comorians.’

‘……there are 22 Indian traders on the island. They operate only in connection with firms in Zanzibar, and periodically return home with their profits.’

In January 1915 Mafia was taken by British troops as a base for the air and sea assault on the cruiser Konigsberg. It was not until late 1922 that control of Mafia passed from Zanzibar to Tanganyika Territory, ending the martial law of WW1.

The current population of Mafia is estimated to be around 50000, located in fishing and farming villages and homesteads all over the main island, Jibondo, Juani and Chole. Mafia is now part of the Coast Province of the Republic of Tanzania and is governed from the mainland (not Zanzibar).

The majority of Mafia inhabitants live in small villages scattered along the coast and Chole itself and on the other islands nearby (Chole, Jibondo, Juani and Banja). Typically villagers have a number of sources of income and subsistence: fishing amongst the members of a family, including crop farming, permanent tree crops and skilled work (carpenters, weavers, sailmakers, etc).

The farms are smallholdings, growing plots of cassava, rice, pigeon pea, pineapples, pawpaws and beans; it is typical to also find cashew, coconut and mango trees on each household’s land. Farmed areas are usually surrounded by woodland, grassland or coconut plantations. Low-lying areas (mbuga) are adapted to upland rice (a variety that is not “paddied” under water, as in Asia).

Large areas of the island – especially the south and northern sides – are planted to coconuts, mostly by pre-World War II German settlers and descendants of Omani Arab, Shatri, Shirazi and Baluchi pioneers. These provide work for many inhabitants and a source of cash income, especially during the dry season when most coconuts are harvested and home-grown food is in short supply.

The north-east of the island is covered by a dense coral rag forest – Mrora Forest – which is protected. The north-central area is an undulating plateau that has spectacular baobabs, doum palms and Euphorbia.

Guests  can make an excursion to any of the island villages, where the people are welcoming and friendly. We offer both road and boat with guides. The people of the villages of the islands of Chole, Juani and Jibondo are engaged in a variety of activities from boat building to animal husbandry. Small scale farming (rice, cassava, fruits) is practiced on fertile soils and fishing and fish drying contributes to their income.
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