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Tanzania is East Africa's largest country. It shares borders with Kenya and Uganda in the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique in the south. The waters that surround its eastern coast are from the Indian Ocean.
Diving in Tanzania is diverse and mostly centred on its three main diving islands; Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.
Zanzibar is host to many of Tanzania's marine conservation areas particularly the Menai Bay Conservation Area sporting unspoiled reefs with an insane amount of marine biodiversity. If you fancy coral spectacles, the Chumbe Island sports some of the best coral gardens in the Indian Ocean perhaps the world. This area is good for snorkelling only to help prevent damages caused by deep diving activities to the fabulous reef, which are still in their pristine condition.
Advance divers looking for challenging drift dives should head straight to Pemba island. The nutrients rich waters from the currents attract a plenitude of marine life in the area.
Mafia Island on the other hand sports the best diving sites for beginner divers. The coral in the area are in their pristine condition. The island is also home to the world's two most endangered marine species; the dugong (sea cow/manatee) and the leatherback and green turtles. Whale sharks also frequent the island in the months of November to January.
The government of Tanzania is an active participant in marine conservation efforts. Testament to this cause are the establishments of numerous marine parks particularly the Mafia Island Marine Park protecting the world's most endangered marine species; the dugong (sea cow/manatee) and the leatherback and green turtles.
Tanzania has a tropical climate along the coastline and temperate climate on the highlands.
The water temperature hovers around 28°C/82FC in January to March and around 25°C/77F in July to September.
The diving season is year round but the best time to visit is between October through March.
Natural hazards include floods during the long rainy season (March-May) and drought.
The main entry points to Tanzania are through its two major airports; Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airport in Kilimanjaro.
There are plenty of direct international flights from western international carriers.
The popular mode of transportation in the mainland is by buses, trains, and rental cars (driving is on the left line).
Bus travel is the most efficient transportation in Tanzania aside from air travel.
The general transportation system of Tanzania is good but contact your travel agent for your convenience.
Use the following links for more information about;
- Decompression Chambers in Tanzania
- Foreign Travel Advice for Tanzania (UK Government)
- More about Tanzania (Wikipedia)
Mafia Island, Tanzania
Mafia Island is a relatively unknown and unexplored destination. The marine park was opened in 1996 and is in fact the biggest marine protected area in East Africa. Mafia boasts some of the best biodiversity with over 42 genera of corals and...
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Mtwara, Tanzania
Mikindani is a historic coastal trading town with a blend of Swahili, Arabic and colonial influence. It has a rich and colourful past having once been the regional capital of German East Africa, and was also where Dr David Livingstone based himself...
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Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar is the chosen destination after climbing Kilimanjaro or as end of the trip after a dusty safari. Because of its beautiful beaches and its charming locals, Zanzibar is the right place to rest and enjoy some of the best diving the...
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Unguja, Tanzania
Unspoilt by the effects of mass tourism, with year round sunshine and a great close by reef, Zanzibar – locally known as Unguja – is an ideal scuba diving destination. Zanzibar Archipelago off the coast of Tanzania consists of two large islands,...
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