Experience barefoot luxury on Mafia Island, Tanzania
Fly to Mafia Island located south of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean. Stay here for 7 nights at Pole Pole, an eco-friendly hotel with 7 bungalows. The hotel is located on the southeast coast – known for its unpretentious and relaxed atmosphere and warm, yet discreet hospitality. Balancing luxury with respect for local culture and environment, it is the perfect place to relax and the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful world of the sea.
This program is a source of inspiration — each trip is unique and tailored to you.
Pole Pole is located on the southeast coast – known for its unpretentious and relaxed atmosphere and warmth, yet discreet hospitality. Balancing luxury with respect for local culture and environment, it is the perfect place to relax and the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful world of the sea.
The exotic Mafia island belongs to the spice islands and has a rich history behind it.
The somewhat frightening name Mafia Island actually has nothing to do with the word Mafia, but instead derives from the Arabic word morfiyeh, which means group or archipelago. Another explanation for where the name comes from could be from Swahili – mahali pa afya, which means “healthy place to live”. This is a hidden gem that few tourists have found.
Stay in one of seven bungalows overlooking Chole Bay, the heart of Mafia’s Marine Park. The name Pole Pole forms a cultural Swahili concept (meaning slow, slow in Swahili), and we see our visitors adapt to the slow gentleness that characterizes the mafia environment, hence the ruined antique bells on the premises that encourage us to forget time and take part in a new rhythm where the tide and the sun control your days. Here there is a calm and relaxing atmosphere, without music, no TV, no internet, telephones are used sparingly in your room but not in the restaurant or other public places.
Every night before dinner, a member of Pole Pole’s activity partner comes to Poland to inform guests about all the activities available at Mafia and help arrange the next day’s plan. Most of the activities are weather and time-water dependent, so availability cannot always be guaranteed. In addition to just being, we recommend doing a half-day trip to swim with the whale sharks, something that should be extra possible in the month of November (seasonal). The hotel uses the renowned and professional company Kitu Kiblu which operates according to The International Whale Shark Code of Conduct. It aims to ensure safe interactions, non-disruptive and respectful activities around the whales.
Of course, snorkeling and diving can be done many times. Visit Chole Island and see the giant baobab trees and not least the ruins of bygone times. To see more of the nearby community around Pole Pole, take a village tour with one of the hotel’s staff and discover the local culture of the village of Utende. We definitely think you should enjoy a sunset sail. We should also not forget the hotel’s beautiful outdoor spa… and to have time to sit and enjoy the good meals.
Accommodation: 3.5 Hotel
standard: 4
Season: June – April
Airport: Mafia Island (MFA) via Dar Es Salaam.
Duration: 7 nights or as long as you like.
The price of the trip includes: Full board, water, tea and coffee, transfer to and from the airport.
The price of the trip is not included: international flights, visa, drinks, extra activities, gratuities, insurance
Good to know about Tanzania and Zanzibar:
Travel ethics: To show respect for religion and culture, we recommend covering your shoulders and knees when moving outside the hotel. On the beach or on a boat trip, bikinis / swimming trunks are of course perfectly fine.
Time zone: GMT + 3
Vaccinations: Read more atStatens Serum Institut
Packing: Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen and a small flashlight.
Local currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Weather: Dar es Salaam on dmi.dk
Mobile coverage and internet: Yes, but limited
Water: Clean water at the hotel.
Security: Tanzania is generally a safe destination.
Travel entry requirements: : Swedish travellers need a visa to visit Tanzania and Zanzibar. Apply online well in advance of departure (3w).
All travellers to Tanzania, regardless of nationality or country of departure, must now complete a Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form online. We strongly recommend that travellers complete the form prior to departure to avoid delays upon arrival.
REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELLERS
- Complete the form (link below) truthfully and correctly before starting the journey.
- Have the QR code (confirmation) or reference number available, either on your phone or printed out. Border control staff will ask to see this upon arrival.
- Please note that the requirement applies to all entries, including land border crossings. Travellers travelling between Kenya and Tanzania by land must also complete the form.
Link to health form: Tanzania, Zanzibar
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
The vast majority of the staff come from Mafia. The hotel was built and furnished with natural materials that are mainly local, such as woven palm trees and makuti grass for thatched roofs, local plants (ukili) for carpets and chairs, palm trees and sisal ribbons for sun loungers, cabins and decorations. Mangrove wood comes from certified areas, and plates and vases are produced by the Makonde community. All furniture is handmade on the island by Swahili artisans using local materials. Only the kitchen, the office and the two family bungalows were built with bricks. The hotel’s bungalows are surrounded by nature and are barely visible from the sea. Here, fresh seafood is served mainly by local fishermen. Fruits and vegetables are bought by local farmers when the weather allows, and imported from other parts of the country when the island is unable to offer more choices to its guests. Everything that can be supplied by nearby villages is bought locally.
