Southeastern Tanzania

Time seems to have stood still in Tanzania's sparsely populated southeast. It lacks the development and bustle of the north, and tourist numbers are a relative trickle. Yet, for safari enthusiasts and divers, and for adventurous travellers seeking to learn about traditional local life, the southeast makes an ideal destination.

Among the southeast's highlights: Selous Game Reserve, with its top-notch wildlife watching; white-sand beaches and stunning corals around Mafia island; and the Kilwa Kisiwani ruins, harking back to days when the East African coast was the centre of trading networks stretching to the Far East.

Mafia and the Selous offer a good selection of comfortable accommodation and Western amenities. Elsewhere tourist infrastructure is more limited, although there are some real gems to be found.

Explore Southeastern Tanzania

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Southeastern Tanzania.

  • Nature Reserve

    Selous Game Reserve

    The Selous is Africa's largest wildlife reserve, and Tanzania’s most extensive protected area. It’s home to large herds of elephants, plus buffaloes,…

  • Ruins

    Songo Mnara

    The tiny island of Songo Mnara, about 8km south of Kilwa Kisiwani, contains ruins at its northern end – including of a palace, several mosques and…

  • Park

    Mafia Island Marine Park

    At around 822 sq km, Mafia Island Marine Park is the largest marine protected area in the Indian Ocean, sheltering a unique complex of estuarine, mangrove…

  • Ruins

    Kilwa Kisiwani

    Today, 'Kilwa on the Island' is a quiet fishing village, but in its heyday it was the centre of a vast trading network linking the old Shona kingdoms and…

  • Historic Building

    Boma

    The imposing German boma, built in 1895 as a fort and administrative centre, has been beautifully renovated as a hotel. Even if you’re not staying here,…

  • Nature Reserve

    Lukwika-Lumesule Game Reserve

    This tiny game reserve is hidden away in the wild hinterlands southwest and west of Masasi. With luck you may see elephants, elands, crocodiles and hippos…

  • Church

    St Paul's Church

    If you are in the Majengo area of Mtwara, it's well worth stopping in at St Paul’s Church (800m southeast of the market) to view its remarkable artwork…

  • Island

    Jibondo

    Sparsely vegetated Jibondo is less aesthetically appealing than Mafia's other islands, and its inhabitants are traditionally unwelcoming towards visitors…

  • Marine Reserve

    Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park

    Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park encompasses a narrow sliver of coastline extending from Msangamkuu Peninsula (just north and east of Mtwara) in the…

  • Island

    Juani

    The large and heavily vegetated island of Juani, southeast of Mafia, has overgrown but evocative ruins at Kua. This includes the remains of several…

  • Island

    Chole

    A good place to start exploring in the Mafia archipelago, especially around the crumbling but atmospheric ruins, dating from the 19th century. Also on…

  • Museum

    Afri Mak Arts & Crafts Group

    This tiny museum features masks, spears, tools and other cultural items from the Makonde, Makua and Yao tribes. All displays are labelled in English and…

  • Historic Building

    Slave Market

    Downhill from the boma is the old slave market building, which now houses several craft shops. Unfortunately, it was much less accurately restored than…

  • Gorge

    Stiegler's Gorge

    Stiegler’s Gorge, which averages 100m in depth, is named after a Swiss explorer who was killed here by an elephant in 1907. It has more recently gained…

  • Market

    Dhow Port & Fish Market

    Much of Mtwara’s fish comes from Msangamkuu on the other side of Mtwara Bay, and this small dhow port and adjoining fish market are particularly colourful…

  • Market

    Market

    Mtwara's market is full of colour and activity. You'll find everything here, with the traditional-medicine section and the textile shops particular…

  • Port

    Dhow Port

    Lindi's small but colourful dhow port is at its best in the morning hours, and well worth a visit.

  • Historic Site

    Mahiwa

    Mahiwa is the site of one of WWI’s bloodiest battles in Africa, in which German and British Imperial forces (consisting of primarily Nigerian and South…

  • Beach

    Jimbizi Beach

    On the eastern edge of town is this pleasant swimming beach. It's in a partially sheltered cove dotted with the occasional baobab tree and lined with…

  • Historic Site

    Selous Grave

    Here lies buried Frederick Courteney Selous, the British explorer and conservationist who was killed in the Selous during WWI, and after whom Selous Game…