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.
Our view
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
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Traveller reviews of Butiama Beach
11 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Arrived 21 Nov 2023, 4 nights
"Butiama Beach review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 23 Jul 2019, 2 nights
"Butiama Beach review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 21 Nov 2018, 2 nights
"Comfortable Beach Lodge"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 7 Aug 2016, 6 nights
"Butiama Beach review"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 14 Aug 2015, 5 nights
"Butiama Beach review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 24 Oct 2014, 4 nights
"Butiama Beach Review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 31 Jul 2014, 3 nights
"Butiama Beach review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 23 Feb 2014, 6 nights
"Beautiful Butiama Beach"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 14 Nov 2013, 6 nights
"The perfect beach resort."
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 20 Aug 2013, 5 nights
"5 nights of post-Safari bliss"
Overall rating: Excellent




























Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the holidays. See our 83 pictures of Butiama Beach to get the candid view.
View galleryButiama Beach: Our full report
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.
Butiama has 15 spacious bungalows, including 2 family rooms on the sea front with two bedrooms; 2 triple rooms - one at on the seafront and one further back in the gardens; 2 twins in the gardens; and 9 doubles in various locations. They all face north-west, across the sea towards the Tanzanzian mainland, although some have better sea views than others. The bungalows have large verandas at the front, and the baraza-style sofas and hammocks here are a lovely for catching the breeze and enjoying the sea views.
Inside the rooms, reclaimed wood from old dhows has been used to create the wooden furniture and luggage racks. The white mosquito nets combined with colourful kikoi-woven cushions and bedspreads give a really light and airy feel, and the beds are comfortable. The colour scheme throughout Butiama Beach is whale shark: light blues and dappled white polka dots. There is some space to hang your clothes, as well as an en-suite bathroom with reasonable water pressure and hot water most of the time – not that you will often want a hot shower. The rooms have good-size digital safes and 24-hour electricity and charging points, with UK-style 3 pin sockets.
Sheltered under makuti thatch, the lodge's main areas comprise the sandy floored Chiringuito bar, which is set right by the beach overlooking the sea. There's also a small library with board games, pool table and local games of >bao. Dining takes place in an open-sided area to one side of the bar, although you can also eat on one of the comfortable sofas arranged around the bar. Butiama has a shop called the 'Green Room' that sells a good selection of souvenirs, many of which are locally made.
In keeping with the rest of the lodge, the (unsupervised) swimming pool is also pale blue and provides dappled shade. It's a decent size and there are sun loungers and a few tables set up around the circumference. It's a lovely place to relax during the day, as is the clean, quiet beach beyond. Butiama is the only lodge on Mafia with access to such a long, white sandy beach. Apart from a few fisherman there are very few people here and being west-facing, they get magnificent sunsets.
If you want to be further relaxed and pampered, then check out the liltte Bahari Spa treatment hut at the west end of Butiama's beach and with views over the ocean. Open from 10am to 6pm daily, they offer massages, manicures and pedicures, and can also treat you in your room.
Butiama Beach offers a number of activities. Sea kayaks, snorkelling gear, motorboats and fishing tackle are available, as well as traditional dhows. The owner is a retired dive instructor and the lodge has its own PADI-certified dive center ‘Big Blue’ that takes guests scuba-diving inside the marine park. It's worth noting that diving, and much of the snorkeling, is done on the eastern side of the island, so guests are driven over there to dive, which takes about 30 minutes. The lodge can also arrange longer trips such as island excursions and dhow cruises, stopping for lunch on a sand bank. Back at the lodge yoga sessions can also be arranged.
Butiama Beach is also perfectly situated for guests who hope to see and snorkel with the enormous, harmless whale sharks that laze in the shallows off the island's west coast roughly from October or November to March, vacuuming huge quantities of plankton into their wide mouths. Butiama Lodge operates motor boat trips out to snorkel among the whale sharks whenever more than a couple of people want to do this activity, which involves positioning the boat near a circling shark and then allowing snorkellers to gently drop into the sea to swim alongside it. Unfortunately, Butiama's boats barely adhere to the whale shark code: often going too fast; chasing the sharks, joining other boats when there are already too many by a shark; and trying to intercept the fish to allow their guests to get the underwater photos and videos they're hoping for. While Butiama can't be accused of actions that are particularly flagrant, and certainly no worse than other boats in the vicinity when we experienced this excursion twice in 2016, we did feel they should be encouraged to adhere much more strictly to the agreed code. When we stayed in 2018 we enjoyed the whale shark snorkeling, however we still felt that the priority was give guests the best viewing experience, sometimes at the expense of the sharks.
Back on shore, you can walk along the white sandy beach: 10–15-minutes walk in one direction leads to Kilindoni village and the markets, while the other direction leads to a creek populated with a variety of birds and small monkeys. Kilindoni village is an interesting place to explore however it is worth noting that the this is quite a conservative community and visitors are expected to dress modestly and women should cover shoulders and knees.
Geographics
- Location
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- Stay here for 3–4 nights to relax and perhaps do some diving.
- Directions
- Butiama Beach is about a ten-minute drive from Mafia airport.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- The managers are very helpful, and are more than willing to help cater for any special dietary requirements, or to help you make the most of a special occasion.
Breakfast is usually served at 07:30 in the main Peka Peka restaurant and is a selection of fruits and cereals, followed by a cooked breakfast made to order. Limes with the papaya and decent coffee make for a good start.
Lunch is a varied à la carte menu, including pizzas, salads and sandwiches. We were impressed with the variety of choice, and thought the food was fresh and tasty. It was refreshing to have such a wide selection to choose from.
Dinner is a set three-course menu with choices. On a previous visit, we enjoyed a tomato soup to start, followed by grilled fish with roasted vegetables and rice, and a chocolate mousse for dessert. The food was simple, but it was clear some thought had gone into the menu. As is to be expected, Italian dishes and seafood feature frequently on the menu. On our last visit, we started with a fresh pea and mint soup. This was followed by a beautifully seasoned chicken curry served with rice and wilted cassava leaves, we rounded up our meal with tiramisu. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Tea, coffee and unlimited big bottles of drinking water are complimentary (provided in your room), but other drinks cost extra. When we were here in 2018 a soda cost around $3, beer was around $4 and a glass of wine around $5.
Special interests
- Diving & snorkelling
- From November to March, Butiama offers good opportunities to swim with whale sharks. It is also a short drive from the protected reefs of the Mafia Marine Park on the east side of the island.
- See ideas for Diving & snorkelling in Tanzania
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Butiama Beach welcomes children.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions.
- Special activities & services
- None.
- Equipment
- They have cots and highchairs.
- Generally recommended for children
- Most of the activities on offer at Butiama are suited to older children and the nearby beach presents a potential water hazard, so parents should supervise their children at all times. The laid back atmosphere and family rooms are a good option for those travelling with children.
- Notes
- Recommended for age 10+.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator.
- Communications
- There is normally good cellphone signal, and free WiFi is available in the reception area.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV at the lodge, but there are TVs in nearby local restaurants if you're keen to watch a major event.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Bottled water is supplied.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a first-aid kit at the lodge for basic injuries and there's a hospital a ten-minute drive away in Kilindoni. For anything more serious there is a large international hospital in Dar es Salaam.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- The lodge has discrete security guards on duty 24 hours a day, both around the lodge and on the beach.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the main areas and in each bungalow.
Activities
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is included in the price.
- Money
- There are electronic safes in all of the rooms and they can exchange small amounts of money.
- Accepted payment on location
- Butiama prefer cash payments, and US dollars, euros, Tanzanian shillings and British pounds are all normally accepted using the exchange rate of the day. Credit cards are accepted too (excluding Amex). There is a 4% card surcharge.
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Butiama Beach's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of 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
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 SharksOther lodges in Mafia Island
Alternative places to stay in this same area.

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

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.

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.

Shamba Kilole
Shamba Kilole is a charming Italian-owned eco-lodge on the coast of Mafia Island, with simple rooms and friendly owner-managers.

Thanda Island
Thanda Island is a high-end private island destination that caters to just one group of travellers at a time.
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 in February
February is during the short dry season and is one of the hottest months in Tanzania, with temperatures reaching around 33°Celsius. This can be a good time to visit, as some areas of the Northern Circuit are comparatively quieter than during the European summer months, and lodge rates are also a little lower.
The wildebeest will typically be on the southern plains of the Serengeti for their calving season, which tends to occur in a 2-3 week window in early-mid February – although this does vary year on year. This is also a particularly rewarding time for birdlife, as northern hemisphere migrants join the resident species.
- Hot and dry weather.
- Wildebeest migration calving on Serengeti’s southern plains.
- Ngorongoro Crater and southern Serengeti busy for the migration.
- Selous and Ruaha are typically quiet at this time.
- The parks are likely to be lush and green, leading to pretty landscape
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in February
Tanzania in March
The heavier ‘long rains’ start in earnest in March although exactly when varies year on year. With no need to stay close to permanent water sources, migratory wildlife disperses, and so game viewing starts to become more challenging. This is most prominently seen in Tarangire National Park. The wildebeest migration may still be calving, or have moved on into the central regions of the Serengeti.
Many of the camps in the southern parks close mid March and mobile tented camps in the Serengeti will wind down towards the end of the month in order to move location or carry out refurbishments, ready for the new tourist season.
- Hot with building humidity, before the rains begin at some point.
- Wildlife viewing is variable depending on the start of the rains.
- Parks are quiet and rates are low.
- Not great for southern or western Tanzania.
- March can be a good time for birding, with many migrant species.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in March
Tanzania in April
April is in the middle of the long rainy season and is the wettest month, with on average 250mm of rain. Temperatures are fairly high and humid in comparison to the rest of the year. Expect the bush to be lush and flowering, and alive with insects, birds and smaller animals. It is however also dense, allowing wildlife to hide, which in turn makes game viewing harder. This is a very quiet time in terms of visitor numbers.
Many of the tented camps are closed in April, however the larger lodges remain open. The rates are significantly cheaper, and so if you are willing to work harder to spot the bigger game, some accommodation bargains can be had.
- Heavy rain expected, with impressive thunderstorms and lightning.
- Many camps closed and roads impassable due to ground conditions.
- Rates are at their lowest all year round, with very few other tourists
- Places that are open are green and vibrant, wildlife more dispersed.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in April
Tanzania in May
As Tanzania is close to the equator there is no dramatic difference in climate throughout the year, but temperatures do start to drop a little in May. The rains are likely to still be present, although potentially clearing towards the end of the month. Visitor numbers and lodge rates are still low. The wildebeest migration is making its way through the western regions of the Serengeti, crossing the Grumeti River.
Virtually all camps in southern Tanzania remain closed, and many of the roads and tracks in the Selous become impassable.
- Heavy rains and storms are likely, this can create some dramatic skies
- Blissfully quiet in northern Tanzania, and a good time to avoid crowds
- The parks are likely to look lush and green, with long grass.
- Wildlife is likely to be more dispersed, with fewer sightings.
- The low prices make safaris much more affordable at this time.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in May
Tanzania in June
The rains come to an end at some point during the month and migratory wildlife begins to be drawn back to perennial water sources as the land starts to dry up. It’s likely that the parks will still be quite green and the grass high though, so walking and fly-camping may be unlikely. This marks the start of the season with camps reopening, but prices are still more affordable than the subsequent months.
The migration may still be in the Western Corridor, or on the move northwards towards the Mara River. Western Tanzania presents more challenging conditions for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale National Park, as the chimps are higher in the mountains.
- Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
- A transitory time for the migration – moving from west to north.
- The parks may still be quite green, and grasses high.
- Wildlife may be dispersed still.
- Relatively low visitor numbers and good value, shoulder season prices.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in June
Tanzania in July
July is considered to be the start of the peak season, with no rainfall expected and pleasant daytime temperatures. As the parks dry, the wildlife congregates in fewer areas, grass is eaten and trampled by the migration, and game viewing gets better and better. The wildebeest are typically arriving in the northern Serengeti, ready to begin their period of crossings of the Mara River.
In the Selous and Ruaha wildlife sightings can be fantastic, with animals gathering around the lakes and rivers. Great conditions and school holidays mean the parks are at their busiest, with Ngorongoro and the Serengeti particularly crowded.
- Dry and warm daytimes, chilly and windy in the mornings and evenings.
- Great wildlife viewing, as water sources diminish.
- The most popular time of year with very high visitor numbers.
- Prices are at their highest due to the great conditions on the ground.
- To avoid the crowds consider Tanzania’s southern parks.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in July
Tanzania in August
August is the middle of the long dry season, with clear skies and sunny weather. You can expect some cooler weather at night and first thing in the morning. Remember to pack layered clothing, so you can wrap up warm on your early morning game drives, but remain comfortable as it heats up throughout the day.
August is a very popular time to visit, so accommodation prices are at their highest and advanced booking is necessary. It can get noticeably busier in some of the northern parks – in particular the Ngorongoro Crater and northern Serengeti, as visitors flock to the area in hope of witnessing an exciting migration river crossing.
- Dry and warm daytimes, chilly in the early mornings and evenings.
- General wildlife viewing should be excellent.
- An exciting time of year for the wildebeest migration.
- Certain areas will be very busy and camps fill up fast.
- Great wildlife sightings in the Selous and Ruaha, and fewer people.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Tanzania in September
September can be an excellent time of year to visit Tanzania. As the parks continue to dry up the wildlife becomes increasingly reliant on the remaining water sources, leading to high densities of animals. Whilst early September can be busy, with fewer families traveling at this time the parks typically become quieter as the month goes on.
You are still likely to see the wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti, with river crossings occurring on a regular basis. Tanzania’s southern parks are also fantastic at this time of year, generally receiving far fewer visitors than the north, and wildlife sightings can be great. Prices remain high and the weather generally remains good.
- Wildlife viewing in September can be fantastic.
- Whilst still fairly busy, often the parks are typically a little quiet
- The parks will start to become very dry, with little new vegetation
- Cooler mornings and evenings, warming up during the day.
- Prices remain high.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Tanzania in October
At the tail end of the dry season, the wildlife should be the easiest to spot, although photographers should be aware that it can be a bit dusty at this time of year, as there has been no rain for several months. Great general wildlife viewing throughout as animals are attracted to remaining sources of water. Elephant numbers are particularly high at this time in Tarangire, and Mahale and Katavi are especially rewarding with frequent wildlife sightings close to camp.
There is a chance of rainfall towards the end of the month, if the short rains commence. While prices remain high, visitors numbers are significantly lower than in July-August.
- Mostly dry and temperatures comfortably warm, with the chance of storm
- Great game viewing although the landscape can be a bit barren.
- Much lower visitor numbers than the earlier months.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Tanzania in November
In November you can expect the start of the short rains, although the start date varies every year. The rains are highly localised, and are much lighter and more unpredictable than the long rains that occur earlier in the year. These should not really interfere with your safari – as the game viewing at this time is still good - but you should pack a waterproof jacket and be prepared for some short rain showers!
The majority of tented camps remain open, but some of the mobile camps in Northern Tanzania will close for the latter half on the month. Given the seasonality, camps are charging shoulder season rates so there are often some bargains to be had. Early November can offer great value for money and the weather conditions are likely to be comparable to late October.
- Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
- Parks are comparatively quiet and prices at the lower end.
- Some camps will close towards the end of the month for maintenance.
- Good wildlife sightings, but animals will disperse when rain starts
- The wildebeest migration is on the move and the location unpredictable
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Tanzania in December
December is also during the short rainy period, but this does not stop Tanzania being a popular destination to spend the festive period. Be aware that many of the lodges book up early, and charge peak rates over this time. Advanced booking is essential over this period, especially if travelling in larger family groups.
Travelling in December outside of the festive period allows travellers to make use of excellent shoulder season rates. Temperatures are pleasant with the averages of 27Celsius, although there is the chance of intermittent thunderstorms.
- Variable weather:clear & dry or cloudy with some rain and thunderstorm
- Good general game viewing in parks with low seasonality - Serengeti.
- Very quiet early in the month, becoming exceptionally busy.
- Prices reflect this – great value rising to the highest they are.
- The wildlife in southern Tanzania is more dispersed.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December

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