accommodation

chole mjini treehouse lodge

Chole Mjini has 7 unique treehouses, all set in attractive tropical gardens and ancient Persian ruins. Each is designed individually and built using local materials and craftsmanship. Some are built around baobab trees, others set in the mangroves, some with four-poster beds or with fantastic views. Each treehouse has a private garden.

Meals are served in a charming open-sided building with beautiful views across Chole Bay. Food is all locally caught seafood – there is no meat on the island.  Fruit and veg is flown in to Chole Mjini from mainland twice a week.  Since there is no refridgeration for food it is all freshly prepared, using local recipes. They bake their own bread daily.  Cooked breakfasts are not offered, so it's mainly bread and fruit.

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 unbroken reef runs the length of the island, from Tutia in the south to Ras Mkumbi at the northern tip. Mafia Island Marine Park is a protected environment for coral reef and other ecosystems. Bird-watching is excellent and very different to the mainland parks. The tidal flats and mangroves are always alive with coastal and sea birds and there are many colourful woodland and forest species.

When you arrive at the boat point to transfer to Chole Mjini, you should be prepared to get wet – so wear clothes you can lift up and waterproof shoes / sandals!

mnemba island lodge

Mnemba Island Lodge consists of just 10 beachside bandas that are set back into the fringes of the pine forest at the island centre to ensure absolute privacy, and built onto wooden platforms over the sand.  

Each banda is set back into the fringes of the pine forest at the island centre to ensure absolute privacy and distance from the nine other beach chalets along the eastern shore. Each suite is wonderfully spacious, with billowing light cotton nets and soft African prints, and all have overhead fans and guest areas with beautiful sea views. Each is made of natural local materials, with a detached, spacious bathroom accessed via a palm-woven walkway. Detailed woodcarvings and the scrolled headboards adorning the beds are created by some of the Island’s most skilled artisans. All rooms have large open windows and front directly onto the beach, so you can get out of bed, walk a few yards and plunge straight into the sea.

Thatched dining and sitting/bar areas have been designed to curve along the beach to make the most of breathtaking sea views and spectacular coral reefs beyond. Baskets of fresh fruit, fish, lobsters, crabs and prawns are sailed into Mnemba daily on traditional ngalawa outriggers, and prepared as exotic delicacies. Lunch is usually served on large wooden carved Zanzibar platters heaped with delicious mezze (finger food). Romantic candle-lit dinners are enjoyed on the beach with the waves gently lapping at your feet. Privatebeach dinners are often enjoyed by honeymooners.