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Butiama Beach

About Butiama Beach

Butiama Beach opened on the west coast of Mafia Island in 2010.

The lodge is a stroll along the beach to the west of the island's capital Kilindoni and outside the boundaries of the Rufiji Mafia Kilwa Marine Reserve. It's a simple beach lodge catering for couples, friends and families - from Dar expats and residents looking for a weekend escape, to better-heeled trans-African travellers and those staying for a short break after a safari.

We like Butiama Lodge a lot. What it lacks in fluffy towels and fancy toiletries it makes up for in value and consistency. It's ideal if you're looking for a simple, laid-back base after a safari, and the diving and whale-shark-snorkelling are big pluses. If it could get its act together properly on the somewhat chaotic whale shark trips and follow the code for conducting these, we'd be able to recommend it wholeheartedly.

Accommodation
15 bungalows
Children
Best for 10+
Open
June–March

Activities

Boat trip

Boat trip

Scuba-diving

Scuba-diving

Snorkelling

Snorkelling

Watersports

Watersports

Butiama Beach: Full Report

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Traveller reviews of Butiama Beach

11 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


95%
11 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
8
Good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
The VD familyfromLondon

Arrived 21 Nov 2023, 4 nights

"Butiama Beach review"

"Butiama Lodge has a lot of character and charm …" Read The VD family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs E.fromBristol

Arrived 23 Jul 2019, 2 nights

"Butiama Beach review"

"This place was absolutely paradise …" Read Mrs E.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs P.fromCumbria

Arrived 21 Nov 2018, 2 nights

"Comfortable Beach Lodge"

"I loved the sandy walkways that linked the various parts of this hotel....made …" Read Mrs P.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

See all Butiama Beach reviews

Butiama Beach's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Butiama Beach.


When to go to Mafia Island

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Butiama Beach in Mafia Island


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Tanzania in January

January usually marks the start of the short dry season, although the exact timings of this are a little unpredictable. You can expect clear blue skies and sunshine, if the short rains have stopped, and the temperatures will be building. The short dry season is a little less pronounced in Southern Tanzania, and so it can still be wet in these areas. It is an interesting time for avians as resident birds go into breeding plumage and migrant species can be present.

Once the New Year busy period has quietened down, January can offer great value and quieter parks, although the weather can be variable, and in the Selous and Ruaha the wildlife is more dispersed.

  • Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
  • Occasional thunderstorms may occur.
  • A good time of year for birding as and many migrant species are around
  • The wildebeest migration is gathering in the southern Serengeti.
  • Busy in early January, quietening down through the month.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in January

Tanzania fact file

Useful information and advice to help you prepare for a trip including Butiama Beach


Excursions from Butiama Beach

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Butiama Beach. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Snorkelling with Whale Sharks

Snorkelling with Whale Sharks

Half day

A whale shark snorkelling trip off Mafia Island, Tanzania, is an unforgettable experience, offering a chance to swim alongside the world’s largest fish in crystal-clear waters. Mafia Island is one of the best places in the world to encounter whale sharks, especially between October and March, when these gentle giants gather in the warm, plankton-rich waters near the island.

More about Snorkelling with Whale Sharks

Other lodges in Mafia Island

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Pole Pole

Pole Pole

Pole Pole is a small, quiet beach lodge on Mafia. It's comfortable, almost luxurious, and has a great range of activities.


94% (103 reviews)
Chole Mjini Lodge

Chole Mjini

Chole Mjini is one of Tanzania's most environmentally aware lodges. With tree-houses, superb diving and a fantastic location on the rural island of Chole, this is ideal if you want to get back to nature.


95% (30 reviews)
Kinasi Lodge

Kinasi Lodge

Kinasi is a small, personal beach lodge on Mafia Island that has the features of a larger hotel, including a large pool and spa.


82% (11 reviews)
Thanda Island

Thanda Island

Thanda Island is a high-end private island destination that caters to just one group of travellers at a time.


No reviews yet

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