Pole Pole Bungalow Resort is a small luxury ecotourism lodge on the exotic Mafia Island. It is Italian-owned and run, and very stylish.

Pole Pole lodge is composed of 10 spacious wooden bungalows on stilts with wide verandahs overlooking the Mafia Island Marine Park. It is in the Utende area of the Island, in a breezy spot overlooking the islands of Chole, Juani and Jibondo.

Each room is furnished with carved and antique furniture, and all have en-suite facilities.  The beds have wooden slats and high quality sprung mattresses. All linen is imported from Italy.  Bathrooms have double washbasins, king-sized showers, bidets and flush toilets.

Imagine treehouses built into baobab trees, with four poster beds inside, surrounded by tropical vegetation and ancient Shirazi and Omani ruins, on a tiny tropical island off the coast of Africa.

This lodge more than any other is like a bush camp by the sea - a true escape from the world. If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere in a gorgeous position, and don't need modern-day 'necessities' such as hairdryers and flush toilets, you will adore this rustic lodge.

With 6 magnificent treehouses and a luxurious terrestrial suite are set amongst the baobabs and oriented to catch the sea breezes. Rugged adventure tempered with casual luxury, each house, high in the canopy has at least one double bed made with Egyptian cotton, a shower and loo. The ‘Groundhouse’ which is the only floor unit has a sunken Persian bath, in addition. No electricity adds to the natural charm although one can still expect ice-cold drinks and there is a battery charging facility.

Meals are taken overlooking the small harbour - seafood, fruit and vegetables - and the bar is upstairs with sweeping views of Chole Bay below which a lounge, full of games, magazines and reference books is the perfect place to relax.

Facilities:
Scuba Diving / Snorkelling / Fishing / Walking / Sailing /  Dhow trips / Swimming / Bird watching

Kinasi Lodge is a splendid little retreat with an idyllic ‘away-from-it-all’ atmosphere. It lies in a tranquil setting with a pool, swaying palms, landscaped gardens and Chole Bay on your doorstep.

Kinasi provides a high standard of accommodation in separate cottages, each with a large verandah and en-suite bathroom. The cottages at Kinasi Lodge have been constructed in rendered concrete block, with palm-leaf (makuti) roofs. There is all-day electricity and water supply is from three permanent wells on the property.  Rooms are not air-conditioned, but cooled by fans and the large shutter doors and windows. There is a suite with upstairs bedroom, air conditioning, stereo, mini-bar and lounge, verandahs and terraces. A family bungalow with two bedrooms sharing a bathroom and eight cottages with very large double beds and ten more cottages with large single beds. All Kinasi cottages are ensuite with hot water and have ample hanging space, a desk and chair, verandah chairs and table, double chaise, full-length mirror, ceiling fan for cool air and power outlets in the bathroom for hair dryers and electric shavers. The cottages have walk-in mosquito nets that cover the beds completely, and have been designed for through-ventilation and coolness in all seasons. 
 
The intention has been to create a resort that is relaxing and stylish. Kinasi is beautifully furnished with antiques and handcrafted furniture. The dining room is appointed with crockery and hand-blown glassware made especially for the lodge and there are original works of art by East African artists.

The catering is based on 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 are all home made from traditional recipes. Seafood barbecues and Swahili cuisine are established Kinasi customs.

Facilities & Activities:
Snorkelling / Scuba diving / Light sport fishing, bottom fishing and beach casting / Windsurfers /  Kayaking / Boat excursions and picnics / Guided excursions to villages / Cycling / Nature walks and bird-watching / Library / Outdoor games / Snooker/billiards table / Satellite TV and video / Swimming pool