Pole Pole

"Pole Pole Resort (its name means ‘slowly, slowly’ in the Swahili language) has been hailed by the US Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the top 25 eco-lodges in the world.

Its seven spacious en-suite bungalows are set in tropical gardens and were built by local craftsmen entirely of local timber.

Raised on stilts, each unit has a private veranda with a Zanzibari bed for those essential afternoon siestas.

Indoors, the bedlinen has been imported from Italy, the bathrooms have double basins and the showers are king-sized.

Gauzy drapes hang at the windows.

Beyond, there are endless views to the horizon."

Accommodation

Seven 'Luxury bungalows suites', elegant and spacious, are set among the coconut palms overlooking the bay. The rooms are furnished with carved and antique pieces. Twin and double beds are available and an extra bed can be provided. Two bungalows are ‘family’ type with two rooms separated by the bathroom and a small corridor for privacy. The large private verandahs are furnished with a Zanzibari bed, chairs, table and an armchair. Each bungalow is self-contained, the bathroom is spacious and comfortable. There are two ceiling fans, one on the verandah and one in the bedroom above the bed.

We are a low environmental impact resort with a state-of-the-art phyto-purification plant which is a special process of treating wastewater to prevent environmental pollution.

Mafia Island

The name Mafia is probably derived from the Arabic “morfiyeh”, meaning “group” or “archipelago”, or from the Swahili “mahali pa afya” meaning “a healthy dwelling place”. Its history goes back to the 8th century where it played a key role in the East African trading routes between Kilwa and Zanzibar.

Mafia has so far escaped the invasion of mass tourism as building has been restricted to three tourist lodges with a combined bed capacity of 120.

The lodges are like “bush resorts” in that everything is quiet, thus offering the perfect alternative safari experience. Major tourist activities are scuba diving, snorkelling, beach and offshore island excursions.

The places to visit are: Chole Bay, Kinasi Pass Islets, Mange reef, Kitutia, and Jibondo Pass .

Diving safaris around Chole Bay, within Mafia Island’s Marine Park are outstanding.

THE MARINE PARK

The Mafia Archipelago and the delta of the Rufiji River form one of the most interesting marine ecosystems and coral reefs in the world. The area has a high bio-diversity and is considered an important habitat for endangered species.

There are over 400 species of fish. On land the rich vegetation is dominated by large palm groves, baobabs, mangroves and fruit trees. The wildlife is extremely varied; monkeys, small antelopes, wild pigs, bushbabies as well as a small colony of elusive hippos. There are also countless types of birds.

The warm, safe waters of the inland bays and lagoons are a paradise for both expert and beginner scuba divers as well as those simply wishing to snorkel.

Mafia Island Marine Park was established as the first Marine Park in Tanzania and covers a surface of 821 km2.