Tanzania Coastal Circuit - Martial Adventure Safaris

Tanzania Coast Safari Circuit is a wonderful area of tropical white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, thatched villages, historic Swahili ports and magnificent marine life, islands stretching for 675km from Kenya in the north to Mozambique in the south.

It is important to realize that this Indian Ocean coast here is not all about beaches; it is also a fascinating cultural experience, being home to the Swahili people, descendants of the Arab traders who have dominated this coast since the tenth century.

The vast majority of visitors coming to Tanzania for safari or trekking also head down to the coast at some point to enjoy the classic 'bush and beach' combination for which the country is so well known.

The region provides a stark contrast to the safari areas inland, with a completely different set of cultures, climates and landscapes. It really is necessary to the coast if you are to gain an understanding of the country as a whole. We divide the Tanzania coast into eight separate areas, each of which has its own special character and reasons to visit. We start with the offshore islands, before moving on to the mainland coast.

One of the great attractions of Tanzania is it’s fantastic 800km coastline with palm fringed beaches of white sand and historic towns of Dar es salaam, Bagamoyo, Kilwa, Lindi, Mikindani, and Mtwara, along with the exotic island of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.

Mafia Island

Mafia Island lying only 160 km south of Dar Es salaam , the name Mafia delieves from the Ma-Afir, a tribe from ancient Yemen who dominated the coast around 1000BCE. Mafia Island is the largest of an island archipelago. The Island is surrounded by a barrier reef so rich in marine life it has been designated a marine park by the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Bagamoyo

Bagamoyo is a centre for dhow sailboat building on Tanzanian coast. A quiet place with a few German colonial buildings still standing. During most of history, Bagamoyo has been far important than Dar, But in the last century it has become a set of decaying ruins. The town was originally the mainland terminus for the slave trade routes. In Swahili language, , Bagamoyo means ‘lay down your heart’ it was here that those slaves who survived the three to six months walk from the interior , usually carrying ivory , eventually gave up all hope of freedom and returning to their people.

Dar es Salaam City

It is Tanzania’s largest city and its economic capital. Located in a quite bay off the Indian ocean coast, the majority of tourist to Tanzania never see Dar Es salaam, most arriving as they do for holidays either on the Northern safari circuit or Zanzibar. But the truth is, Dar Es salaam has very much to offer. The city is a melting pot of cultural influences, Arab, Indian, German and British influences can be found in the city’s architectures. Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, and Christian are co-exist peacefully, with the wail of azan blending with the sound of church bells in the mornings.

Saadani National Park

Saadani is set to become Tanzania’s first National Park fronting onto the ocean and if the visitors are really lucky they may have a chance to see lions and elephant’s or even their tracks in the beach sand. This is the closest park to the Tanzania’s largest city of Dar Es salaam.

Zanzibar

Age and distance separate Zanzibar’s main islands, Unguja and Pemba. Despite its small size and obscure location, Zanzibar holds an almost legendary status among travelers as an exotic island paradise blessed with palm fringed shores, timeless fishing villages and lush spice plantations.