Must-see attractions in Southeastern Tanzania

  • Young elephant bulls in Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania.

    Selous Game Reserve

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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,…

  • Gerezani Fort, Kilwa Kisiwani.

    Kilwa Kisiwani

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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…

  • Songo Mnara

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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…

  • Mafia Island Marine Park

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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…

  • Boma

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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,…

  • Lukwika-Lumesule Game Reserve

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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…

  • St Paul's Church

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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…

  • Jibondo

    Southeastern Tanzania

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

  • Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park

    Southeastern Tanzania

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

  • Juani

    Southeastern Tanzania

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

  • Chole

    Southeastern Tanzania

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

  • Afri Mak Arts & Crafts Group

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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…

  • Slave Market

    Southeastern Tanzania

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

  • Stiegler's Gorge

    Selous Game Reserve

    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…

  • Dhow Port & Fish Market

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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

    Southeastern Tanzania

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

  • Dhow Port

    Southeastern Tanzania

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

  • Mahiwa

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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…

  • Jimbizi Beach

    Southeastern Tanzania

    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…

  • Selous Grave

    Selous Game Reserve

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

  • Prison Ruins

    Southeastern Tanzania

    These ruins are opposite the jetty, on the B2 (main road). Nearby is a large, hollow baobab tree that was once used to keep unruly prisoners in solitary…

  • Bismarck Hill

    Southeastern Tanzania

    If you have time, make your way up Bismarck Hill, rising up behind the Old Boma, for some views.