Mafia Island holiday
| country: | Tanzania |
| location: | Mafia Island |
| departures: | Your holiday can be arranged at any time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements. Note that both Pole Pole and Chole Mjini are closed for the rainy season, generally from Easter until mid June |
| price: | From £860 - £1030 (8 days) including domestic flights only, as per itinerary. Prices include FB accommodation at either Pole Pole or Chole Mjini, airport transfers and domestic flights |
read 2 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
The Mafia Archipelago, Tanzania's first Marine Park, comprises of a number of islands and uninhabited coral atolls and is known for its diverse and spectacular natural environment. It's tropical environment offers white beaches, superb coral reefs, mangroves and lush vegetation. Monkeys, small antelopes, wild pigs, lemurs and dwarf hippos live on the islands and they are a breeding ground for giant turtles. Mafia Island is a real paradise for nature lovers and the perfect place to completely relax and unwind.
We offer a choice of 2 completely different types of accommodation on Mafia Island. Pole pole is a luxury bungalow resort with tropical gardens and spectacular coastal views. The bungalows are built entirely out of wood by local craftsmen and raised on stilts. Pole Pole offers all guests daily excursions including boat trips in traditional sailing dhows. Alternatively you can elect to stay at Chole Mjini and choose from 6 unique treehouses set amongst tropical gardens and Persian ruins. Each treehouse is designed individually and built using local materials and craftsmanship, and each has a private garden with toilet and shower at ground level. Or why not sample both types of accommodation with a few nights at each resort.
Mafia Island was designated a marine park in 1995 and boasts over 400 species of fish including vast oceanic fish and a variety of reef fish. It is a true paradise for both snorkelling and scuba diving and both Pole Pole and Chole Mjini offer daily snorkelling trips. Excellent value dive packages can be arranged on request. Diving in Mafia is an unique and intimate experience - dhows are used as a dive platform and you are guaranteed never to dive in a crowd. A stay in Mafia Island can be arranged on a completely tailor-made basis, so you can stay for as many days as you like - prices are quoted only as a guide. Why not combine Mafia with a more active safari itinerary, or with a few days in the other superb beach destinations that we have available in Tanzania - Zanzibar or Mikindani.
We offer a choice of 2 completely different types of accommodation on Mafia Island. Pole pole is a luxury bungalow resort with tropical gardens and spectacular coastal views. The bungalows are built entirely out of wood by local craftsmen and raised on stilts. Pole Pole offers all guests daily excursions including boat trips in traditional sailing dhows. Alternatively you can elect to stay at Chole Mjini and choose from 6 unique treehouses set amongst tropical gardens and Persian ruins. Each treehouse is designed individually and built using local materials and craftsmanship, and each has a private garden with toilet and shower at ground level. Or why not sample both types of accommodation with a few nights at each resort.
Mafia Island was designated a marine park in 1995 and boasts over 400 species of fish including vast oceanic fish and a variety of reef fish. It is a true paradise for both snorkelling and scuba diving and both Pole Pole and Chole Mjini offer daily snorkelling trips. Excellent value dive packages can be arranged on request. Diving in Mafia is an unique and intimate experience - dhows are used as a dive platform and you are guaranteed never to dive in a crowd. A stay in Mafia Island can be arranged on a completely tailor-made basis, so you can stay for as many days as you like - prices are quoted only as a guide. Why not combine Mafia with a more active safari itinerary, or with a few days in the other superb beach destinations that we have available in Tanzania - Zanzibar or Mikindani.
travellers' tales
The resort, people and everything were just perfect, we couldn't have had a better time and hope to return there in the future. The staff of this operator have just been amazing and we can't praise Louise enough, so thank you. (more)
don't leave it too late!
Please note that due to the nature of tailor-made trips to Sub-Saharan Africa we need at least 14 days between time of booking and departure. This time is essential for you to sort out passport, visa and health requirements and for us to make all the necessary holiday arrangements.how this holiday makes a difference
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Tourism is has been introduced to Mafia Island in a very commendable low-impact and sensitive manner. It is helping to provide an important alternative source of income for locals since the livelihoods of many local fishermen were affected by the designation of the area as a marine park.
Both Pole Pole and Chole Mjini are very small-scale resorts, both of which have a maximum capacity of less than 20 guests. Pole Pole treats all their wastewaters in a phyto-purification system and has initiated the first recycling scheme on the island. They have created a Trust from tourist proceeds to support local community projects, such as building a school and providing student bursaries. Most food served is bought from local fishermen and cooperative farms and grown organically. At Chole Island, Chole Mjini Treehouses donate US $10 levies per tourist night towards three different community societies - the Chole Social Development Society, Chole Economic Development Society and Chole Society for Women's Development. These societies have full autonomy and decide on the village projects to be funded, including schooling and healthcare. Both Pole Pole and Chole Mjini are important local employer, providing jobs for locals, whose income generation is restricted by Mafia Islands' Marine Park policies. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |