Tanzanian coastline that is also referred to as the SWAHILI coast whereby the word Swahili is Arabic for coast, harbors a beautiful and historic region. Ancient Greek manuscripts tracing early marine journeys note that the coast of Africa was visited by sailing vessels in classical times. In the ninth and tenth centuries came the Shirazi Persians [modern day Iranian] Chinese and Japanese merchants and pirates, traders and adventurers sailed down the Swahili coast and made it a center for thriving commercial civilization. With its own language, economy and artistic traditions, the Swahili coast of the early ages has no equal today.

Today reminders of the Swahili coast magnificent past can be found up and down the length of Tanzania. In the brass bound chests and heavy wooden intricately carved wooden doors of the Swahili empire that bear carvings of Indian, Arabic and Persian design; in the crumbling mosques nestling among the palm and spices introduced by traders and rulers; in the Persian baths nestled in the foundations of crumbling villas and the tombs that inter forever the foreigners who made the Tanzanian coast their home.

Bagamoyo
Once a centre for slave and ivory trade, Bagamoyo was the last point reached by caravans of slaves who arrived to await transportation to far away places. The name itself is a mispronunciation of the words Bagamoyo which means rest or lay down your heart. Today, this attractive coastal town still bears reminders of its past still stand and include the fortified house where slaves were kept while waiting for transportation, the tree under which they were sold, tombs of some of the most notorious slave traders.

Kilwa Kisiwani Island
Kilwa kisiwani island was one the trading center of the Swahili empire. The ruins of the settlement stil remain and are considered to be one of the most important Swahihli historical sites in East Africa. The famous traveller and chronicler Ibn Batuta visited Kilwa in the 14th Century, describing his admiration for the architechture and graceful situation. Later the island became a trading post for slaves travelling north from Mauritius and Mozambiques. The end of the towns supremacy as a trading post came when it was sacked by a tribe of cannibals in 1588.

Mafia Island
Located 120 km south of Dar es Salaam, Mafia is named after the Ma-afir tribe from ancient Yemen who dominated the coast around 1000BC. Mafia Island is the largest island archipelago off the east African coast. Off the beaten track and known only to the most discerning travellers, the island is surrounded by a barrier reef so rich in marine life it has been designated a Marin Park by the Worldwide Fund for Nature. A tiny population of pygmy hippo live in the remains of an old lagoon, cut off from the mainland centuries ago. Mafia’s interesting history and stunning beaches, combined with several luxurious and discreet hotels, maike it one of tanzania’s hidden gems.

Tanga and Pangani
Tanga was once a key and active port of the Swahili coast. Today it has some of the most interesting ruins including the largest mosques in the country and more than 40 tombs of different dignitaries and slave traders. Tanga has pleasant beaches and is a convenient point from which to visit the spectacular.

Usambara Mountains.
Just South of Tanga is Pangani, once the home of Arab Slave Traders and set in the lovely estuary of the Pangani river.

MARINE PARKS :
Not only is Tanzania the number one destination for Safaris, its endless coral reefs in the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean offer some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world. The archipelago of islands off the coast of Tanzania and Zanzibar are surrounded by coral reefs and are home to an amazing array of wildlife and unique ecosystems, as well as providing shelter sustenance and employment for local people.

From Mafia Island Marine Park, an unspoiled, uncommercial, timeless island, where local people go about their traditional businesses as they have done for centuries, to Maziwe island Marine Reserve, which only appears during low tide, Tanzanian marine parks and reserves are exceptionally rich in their diversity of cultural, coral, fish, bird and plant life.

In order to protect and manage these areas from over fishing, mangrove deforestation, coral mining and more and in cooperation with local people living and working in the areas, the following marine parks and reserves have been established and can be visited for day trips and longer stays.

Dar Marine Reserves
[Fungu Yasini, Mbudya, Bongoyo, and Pangavini Islands]
The Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves are unique due to their proximity to the city, potential biodiversity and richness, good scenic diving and snorkelling sites, marine birds and dolphin viewing. Occasionally hunchback whales are spotted in the deep waters around the reserves from May to August. The Islands are open to visitors during the day and have bandas [shades], information boards and nature trails. Drinks and fresh cooked fish can be purchased from local community members who also serve as tour guides and rangers.

Mafia Marine Park
Surrounded by some of the richest reefs in the world with over 50 types of corals and 400 species of fish identified so far, mafia is an island paradise. Mafia offers the most spectacular diving in the world that includes some of the best terrain including colourful coral gardesn, walls at various levels, coral heads, exposed fringing reefs, rock walls, soft coral and algae dominated reefs.

Maziwe Island Marine Reserve
Maziwe Island Marine Reserve, situated 15 nautical miles east of Pangani, has over 350 fish species, 35 genera of coral reefs and an abundance of birds. Designated a marine reserve in the 1970, as a way to lessen the erosion caused from over harvesting of the surrounding forest, the Island now only emerges from the sea at low tide and is an ideal place for swimming, snorkelling, diving and sunbathing.

Mnazi Bay Marine Park
The Mnazi Bay Marine Park is locate in Southern Tanzania on the Ruvuma estuary near the Mozambique border. Home to an important population of whales, dolphins, four species of turtle and numerous birds, the area is recognised as being internationally important for its biodiversity, with mangroves, sea grass beds and coral reefs.