Mafia Island lies close to the Rufiji Delta, just a short aircraft flight from Dar Es Salaam, and Zanzibar. The island was a regular stop for two thousand years for Arab and Persian dhows plying the coastal waters from the Gulf to Madagascar and Mozambique. Chole Bay, Mafia's protected deep-water anchorage and the original harbour, is studded with islands, sandbanks and beaches. The clear, protected waters offer wonderful snorkelling, sailing and swimming. Outside the bay an unbroken reef runs the length of the island, from Tutia in the south to Ras Mkumbi at the northern tip.
Mafia is little changed from ancient times and retains a traditional, friendly culture; the community tourism association works hard to preserve this individuality. Chole Bay and its surrounding forests and islands are now within the protected Mafia Island Marine Park, supported with assistance from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The reefs offer a range of corals and fish like no other in the Indian Ocean; also they are close to Kinasi so that diving and snorkelling sites are just a short boat ride away. Isolated islets and beaches, lagoons, coves and channels provide many private swimming and picnicking hideaways. Chole Bay, on our doorstep, is perfect for windsurfing and laser sailing.
Bird watching is excellent and very different to the mainland parks that guests may have visited. The tidal flats and mangroves on our doorstep are always alive with coastal and sea birds and there are many colourful woodland and forest species. We welcome guests to help perfect our Mafia checklist of birds. There are also roosts of the unusual and fascinating Flying Fox or Madagascar Fruit Bat on nearby Chole Island. Our nature trail from Kinasi is a wonderful early morning or evening activity.
For the fisherman there is big-game fishing, light inshore sport fishing, and bottom fishing from fully equipped boats. If you are feeling adventurous, we'll arrange for you to go fishing in traditional style with local fishermen on their jahazis or ngalawas. Scuba diving and game fishing can also be specially arranged as camping safaris to the north end of Mafia or to Okuza, Nyuni and Njovi islands to the south of Mafia.
Visits to the villages, historic archaeological sites, coastal forests, coconut plantations, traditional boat-building yards, and other parts of Mafia Island complement any sea activities. They will add much more interest to a holiday, and will familiarise you with the lives of the people of Mafia, who are artisans, farmers, fishermen and sailors.
Kinasi Lodge: ****
Kinasi is a small, private lodge situated in a coconut and cashew plantation facing Chole Bay on Mafia Island. It provides a comfortable standard of accommodation in only 15 bungalows (one is a family unit with two bedrooms), each with a large veranda and en suite bathroom. The bungalows have been constructed in rendered concrete blocks, with palm-leaf (makuti) roofs, and concrete foundations and floors. There is all-day mains electricity supply, hot and cold water supplied from three permanent wells on the property.
Accommodation:
• a suite with upstairs double bedroom and downstairs bunk-settees, stereo, mini-bar and lounge, verandas and terraces
• a family bungalow with two double bedrooms sharing a bathroom (also suitable for triple or two singles)
• two twin-bedded cottages with extra-large single beds
• ten cottages with very large double beds
Facilities & Features:
The design and style of Kinasi is eclectic and individual, with influences from the Swahili Coast, African craftsmen, Morocco and Italy. The atmosphere is informal and homely, intentionally unpretentious. There are beautiful antiques, fabrics and rugs as Kinasi is the pride and home to its owners. All cottages have en-suite bathrooms and covered verandas furnished with hammocks, chairs and table, plenty of hanging space and shelves, desk and chair, bedside lights and reading lights. The cottages have fans situated within walk-in mosquito nets that cover both beds, and have been designed for through-ventilation and coolness in all seasons. Lighting is mains electricity with 24-hour service, 220-240V, 50 hz (three-pin square plugs). Water is provided from the on-site wells and is chlorinated and filtered automatically; safe drinking water is provided in all rooms in cold thermos jugs.
The catering is based upon local seafood: fresh fish, prawns, crab, lobster, octopus and calamari, with fresh vegetables and fruit flown from the mainland. Breads, rolls, pizzas and variety of yoghurts, preserves and sauces - all homemade from traditional recipes. Seafood barbecues and Swahili cuisine are established Kinasi customs.
Most of all there is tranquillity and privacy in beautiful, natural surroundings. The friendly staff will do their best to look after you, service to your rooms, provide morning tea and coffee with fresh biscuits and cakes, sundowners and cocktails, delicious food and attend to any requests you may have. Kinasi started as a private home - and that is how the owners wish the guests to feel - as if you are in a private home. So enjoy Mafia and this little retreat with all its activities, the swimming pool, gardens and beach, and the relaxed atmosphere and good company. A section of the beach has been cleared of mangroves giving clients the opportunity to relax on the day beds and under makuti umbrellas.
Mafia Island is, in the true sense, an island retreat for the active beachcomber who is serious about enjoying the sea and islands, adventure divers, game fishermen, bird-watchers or just for simple feet-up relaxation.
Credit cards are not accepted but will charge 5% commission on traveller’s cheques.
Please note: Prices include the Marine Park fee of US$ 10 per person per day.
Below is an approximate price per person sharing (October 2008) :
US$ 2022 Euro 1557
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DAY 1: Fly from Johannesburg to Dar Es Salaam with Air Tanzania. Daily flights with Coastal Air (duration of the flight 40 minutes). Proceed through customs and immigration and check in for your flight to Mafia Island. Transfer by boat (15 km) to Kinasi Lodge where you will be staying for 7 nights on a full board basis. 
