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Boats on Tanzania's Swahili Coast

Visit Tanzania's Swahili Coast, Tanzania

Visit Tanzania's Swahili Coast, Tanzania

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Tanzania’s Swahili Coast is nearly always overlooked as visitors flood to the more famous Zanzibar Archipelago.

Those who do look closer however will discover one of Tanzania's most beautiful wilderness areas.

Beaches and Swahili towns

The beaches are idyllic — long stretches of deserted sand, interspersed with sleepy Swahili towns and tiny fishing villages. Once, the towns were important centers of trade, and home to Arab slavers, Swahili merchants and, later on, German colonials. Nowadays the trade has largely moved elsewhere and towns are quiet and gently crumbling.

The beautiful beaches however, remain. Stunning hideaways can be found amidst the tropical languor that pervades the coast and that soon catches up with visitors too.

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Audley Travel Specialist Tom

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Tanzania's Swahili Coast by contacting one of our Tanzania specialists

Places to visit in Tanzania's Swahili Coast

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting Tanzania's Swahili Coast, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Suggested itinerary featuring Tanzania's Swahili Coast

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Tanzania's Swahili Coast, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Tanzania's Swahili Coast

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around Tanzania's Swahili Coast

    Photos of Tanzania's Swahili Coast

    Fanjove Island beaches, Songo Songo Archipelago
    Fanjove Island beaches, Songo Songo Archipelago
    Mangrove swamp on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam
    Mangrove swamp on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam
    Fanjove Island, Songo Songo Archipelago
    Fanjove Island, Songo Songo Archipelago
    Aerial view of Dar es Salaam's coastline
    Aerial view of Dar es Salaam's coastline
    Dar es Salaam skyline
    Dar es Salaam skyline
    Fanjove Island, Songo Songo Archipelago
    Fanjove Island, Songo Songo Archipelago
    Unspoilt beach on Fanjove Island, Songo Songo Archipelago
    Unspoilt beach on Fanjove Island, Songo Songo Archipelago
    Dar es Salaam suburbs
    Dar es Salaam suburbs

    Accommodation choices for Tanzania's Swahili Coast

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Tanzania's Swahili Coast. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing Tanzania's Swahili Coast

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Tanzania's Swahili Coast, and which use the best local guides.

    • Snorkel & dive Tanzania's reefs
      Diving at Fumba Beach Lodge

      Snorkel & dive Tanzania's reefs

      Snorkel & dive Tanzania's reefs

      Tanzania's coast offers some wonderful snorkeling and swimming opportunities, especially the islets and beautiful coral shelves of Chole Bay.

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