Mafia Island

Mafia Island
“There is no other destination like this, where everything
for a marvellous island holiday is so accessible right on your doorstep.....but
we would like to give you more than a holiday.....we would like you to
immerse yourself in our island way of life”
Mafia Island...History, Nature and Traditional Island Life
The Mafia Archipelago has a prominent place in the history of the East Coast of Africa as it was a safe
haven for ships to stop for water and for repairs. Later, as a part of the Sultanate of Kilwa, it prospered as
a settlement during Kilwa’s rise to become the most important economic power in the Indian Ocean.
The island lies across ancient sailing routes controlled by the trade winds and has experienced Yemeni,
Egyptian, Phoenician, Greco-Roman, Chinese, Portuguese, English and German adventurers.
Beach and Bay
Msouthern circuit of Tanzania and Zanzibar
afia Island is located in the magnificent
and is part of a fascinating array of parks, reserves
and Indian Ocean islands.
The coral reefs, bays, sand bars, lagoons and beaches
of the Mafia Archipelago are now part of the Mafia
Island Marine Park, Tanzania’s first marine national
park. Only a thousand visitors a year come here so
it remains very much a traditional Swahili Coast
destination and really can lay claim to the title of
“unspoilt”.
Mafia is the destination for those who truly wish to
“get away from it all”. Even after two decades of a
love affair with Mafia we are still discovering new
beaches, previously unrecorded birds, plants, fish and
corals, new dive and snorkel sites….and we continue
developing new excursions for the enjoyment of our
guests.
A TREASURY of history and culture
Mafia has been a port for dhows of the monsoon
tradewinds from Arabia to Sofala for 2000 years, yet
the island is little changed from ancient times and
retains a traditional culture and friendly people who
depend on fishing and agriculture.
African, Arab, Asian and European cultures have all
influenced the character, religion and economic trades
of the Archipelago and these historic ties are still
evident among the people.
The Kua Ruins, on Juani Island across Chole Bay
from Kinasi, is an archeological site from the 12th
Century, established by settlers from Kilwa. There are
also ruins of early settlement on Chole Island, which
was the “capital” of Mafia until the early Twentieth
Century.
NATURE unaffected by time
The Marine Park - over eight hundred square
kilometres - ensures Mafia´s fragile bio-diversity is
preserved. Over four hundred and sixty species of
fish and more than fifty genera of corals are here to be
enjoyed by snorkelling and scuba diving.
Excursions to coastal forests to walk and picnic, and
excellent bird-watching in five different habitat types
from the reef flats and shores to dry woodlands and
coastal forests, are part of our activities programme.
Road safaris to other areas of Mafia complement the
visitor’s experience and understanding of traditional
village life: Kirongwe village famous for its clay pots,
Jimbo for its ukili mats, Mlola Forest, RasMbizi
coconut plantation and Kitoni.
Activities for your enjoyment
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Snorkel and scuba in a variety of locations in the Marine Park
Islet and sand-bar picnics
Sailing local dhows and ngalawas
Swimming and snorkelling with whale sharks
Sunset sailing trips
Kayaks and windsurfers
Cycling through the farms and rice fields
Game fishing and light sport fishing
Bird watching and nature walks
Visits to local villages to experience local culture and traditional life
Guided visits to historic sites like Ras Kisimani and the Persian ruins on Chole and Juani islands
Road safaris to forests and remote beaches, plantations and other locations of interest
Kinasi Lodge
Mafia Island Marine Park, Chole Bay
Mafia Island South
K inasi Lodge is a boutique hotel on Chole Bay,
Mafia Island.
This intimate and lovely resort, situated in an old
cashew and coconut plantation, provides a luxury
stay amidst stylish décor and magnificent natural
surroundings of the protected marine park.
The swimming pool is surrounded by verdant gardens
with sunbeds and alfresco lunchtime seating on the
pool terrace, and there is a spa with expert Thai
personnel providing aromatherapy, massage and
hydrotherapy.
Everything about Kinasi - from design and furnishing
to our food and beverage and staff service - is done
with a passion for perfection and the intention of
making you feel completely at home.
Tranquility
Kinasi started as a private home, and that is how
we wish our guests to feel as if they are in their own
home and free to enjoy their stay at their own tempo
and with total flexibility.
Most of all there is tranquility and privacy in
beautiful, natural surroundings, and our friendly
staff will do their best to look after you with service
to your rooms, morning tea and coffee with fresh
biscuits and cakes, sundowners and cocktails,
delicious meals and attention to any requests you
may have.
Mafia Island is - in the true sense - an island paradise
for the “active beachcomber” who is serious about
enjoying the sea and islands, adventure divers, sport
fishermen, bird-watchers or just for simple feet-up
relaxation. Be as active as you wish....or simply
relax and do nothing and let us take care of you.
Accommodation
Each room is in a private bungalow with thatched
roof, large verandah and ensuite bathroom. Personal
attention amidst a relaxed atmosphere is the hallmark
of Kinasi.
The rooms have ceiling fans and mosquito nets over
queen-size beds and maintain an island paradise
atmosphere.
We have created a very special place at Kinasi, with
furniture, designs and styles that borrow from all the
countries of the Indian Ocean, the “empires of the
monsoon”. We call this the Shirazi Style.
We do all our own design and construction, fabrication
of furniture and interior decoration so Kinasi is very
personal and has the feel and character of a private
home, which is exactly what we intend for our
guests.
Superb Cuisine
Kinasi is well known for it’s excellent food.
Our unique cuisine is based on local seafood, spices
and fruits in dishes we have created from a fusion of
Thai, Italian and Swahili recipes.
To add refinement and choice there is a dedicated
wine cellar with a signature wine list and an outdoor
pergola cocktail bar to enjoy our evening wine
tastings.
Meals are served at the Pool Bar and Grill as buffets
or in the Main Restaurant table d’hote.
Poolside or beach seafood barbecues and Swahili
night are weekly events.
The Isis Spa
The Isis Spa, named for the Egyptian Goddess of
Love and Magic offers aromatherapy, traditional
Thai and Swedish massage, leg and back massages
and injury treatments, hydrotherapy and facials,
all with natural essences, oils and spices from the
tropics.
This is a full and professionally-managed spa,
not a “bush spa” or “massage room”. The Spa has
three separate areas and the facilities include a hot
hydrotherapy bath with massaging micro jets, a
dedicated massage therapy room with pedicure/
manicure facilities, and the magnificent Pharaoh’s
Bath for couples.
The rooms are air-conditioned and outdoor treatments
are also available overlooking the sea.
Water Sports and Excursions
Mafia Island Marine Park is a tropical paradise,
internationally renowned for its snorkelling, scuba
diving and deep-sea fishing.
We have a private beach, full PADI scuba-snorkelling
centre manage by a dive instructor, three dive and
excursion boats (jahazis) with sun shades, engines
and sails and the “Papara” our big dhow which is
equipped with inboard engine, barbecue, covered deck
and running water and operates as the excursion craft
for visiting outer reefs and islets for full day picnics.
Kayaks and bikes are provided gratis for our guests.
And one of our boats will take guests to the beautiful
Marimbai sandbank at any time for picnics on the
beach and swimming.
An Excursion Manager will look after you for
nature walks, bird-watching, historical and village
excursions.
Facilities and Services at Kinasi
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Personalized attention to guest requirements
Morning butler room service - tea and coffee
Isis Spa with experienced Thai therapists
PADI dive and snorkel centre
Private beach
Swimming pool with alfresco bar and dining
Wine cellar and sunset bar
Antique pool table
Library and music system
Satellite television
Laundry service
Slide shows of the spectacular marine life in Chole Bay
Gift Shop
Business centre with free WiFi and computers
Online flight booking service
Catering for conference and professional workshops
Wedding and anniversary celebrations
Lua Cheia Castaway Beach Camp
Angel ’s Beach, Bweni
Mafia Island North
the northern tip of Mafia (55km from Mafia
L
Airport) on a lovely promontory. “Ras” stands for
ua Cheia is located at Ras Bweni near
peninsula, and from here one has fine views of the
sweeping bay and palm-fringed beaches, superb
sunsets and the moon rising over the Indian Ocean.
The stunning feature of the location is the 2 km of our
private beach stretching away in both directions…the
sand is white and pure and littered with millions of
shells and beautiful driftwood….and one can always
swim, despite tidal changes.
There is complete isolation from any other tourist
facility or fishing village...there is only solitude,
nature and complete relaxation.
Our tented rooms
We have six large tents under thatched “bandas”
with verandahs leading directly onto the beach.
The site faces northwest and takes advantage of
the sea breezes during the hot-season as well as
the marvellous evening sunsets over the Selous and
Rufiji Delta.
Each room is equipped with a separate en-suite
bathroom constructed in concrete block and equipped
with solar-heated water and solar lighting.
There are even fans powered by solar collectors to
keep you cool at night!
Cuisine and Beverages
Served always - weather permitting - from the
barbecue…. seafood, chicken, lamb, beef and
vegetarian (which we are very good at)….we cook the
food off driftwood fires so it is absolutely wonderful..…
freshly-cooked food off the charcoal grill is impossible
to beat, accompanied by a wide selection of salads
and antipasti (we accommodate special dietary
requirements).
The bar is limited to a few excellent reds and whites
and the usual damaging toxins like gin, vodka, whisky,
brandy, and anything special if you let us know in
advance. All the soft drinks and mixers are available
and lots of ice.
Activities and Services
We have kayaks and wind-surfers, game fishing and
snorkelling, sailing in local dhows and ngalawas,
a forest walk across the island, visit the lighthouse
and take a view over Mafia and look for Humpback
whales passing…..or take a massage and relax in the
pool.
Lua Cheia makes an excellent partner for Kinasi
Lodge…by enjoying a stay at both locations our
guests will be able to have unrivalled access, right on
our doorsteps, to an outstanding variety of underwater
and beach activities....
please come and enjoy our “Island Life”
and the unique “Beach & Bay” experience.
www.mafiaisland.com
LUA CHEIA
KINASI
www.kinasilodge.com
www.luacheiabeach.com
Bookings: [email protected] M: + 255 777424588 F: + 255 24 2238220
Skype: mafiaisland - kinasi.lodge