With a more than 40,000 people, Mafia is an archipelago
lies at the bank of Rufiji River in the Mainland Tanzania. Historians argue
that Mafia has been visited by many people from different parts of the
world. These people include; Romans, Portuguese,
French, Chinese, Egyptian, Phoenician, Arab, Greek, Chinese, Portuguese,
Americans and British. These people visited Mafia from at least 500 BC. Also
reserches show that peoples of many different foreign origins have lived in
Mafia, these include African (Madagascar, Comoros, Mozambique), Indian,
Yemeni, Baluchi, Omani, Shirazi, Chinese, Japanese and European. The Mafia
history does not show difference from the Zanzibar history as both were
under the sultanate rule (Sultan of Oman) in 19th century. This
means that Mafia used to be a part of Zanzibar, and still to date the people
of these sides share the common culture.
Today, Mafia unlike Zanzibar belongs to the
mainland Tanzania; it does not enjoy the semi autonomous status that
Zanzibar enjoys in Tanzania.
The Mafia archipelago has excellent weather by nature. Like
Zanzibar Island; Mafia Island has the great opportunities for diving and
snorkeling. This island is fantastically imbued with rich natural and
historical interest as an idyllic nature, heaven for birds and wildlife
with over 120 different species of birds.
How to get to Mafia?
Getting to Mafia used to
be a difficult exercise, but with Safina arrangement it is very easy to get
there today. We can arrange you the private plane which do not operate on a
schedule basis and make you go there on your preferred time during the day,
or through the scheduled flights.
Mafia is an emerging tourist destination; there are some
hotels and lodges built for accommodation and relaxation.
Safina Tours propose you the following hotels in Mafia:-
Mafia
Island Lodge
The Mafia Island Lodge stands amidst tall palms on a sandy
beach in Chole Bay, in the heart of the marine park near Utende village on
South coast of Mafia. The lodge has 40 comfortable rooms which are set among
the coconut palms with their own veranda overlooking the bay. They are all
self-contained with air conditioning. Twin and double beds are available.
Among the 40 rooms there are 2 family rooms with a large living room.
Kinasi Lodge
Kinasi is a small, private lodge situated in a
coconut and cashew plantation facing Chole Bay on Mafia Island. It provides
a high standard of accommodation in only lanteen bungalows (one is a family
unit with two bedrooms), each with a large verandah and ensuite bathroom.
The bungalows have been constructed in rendered concrete block, with
palm-leaf (makuti) roofs, and concrete foundations and floors. There is
all-day mains electricity and hot and cold water supply from three permanent
wells on the property. Our rooms not air-conditioned but one cooled by fans
and the large shutter doors and windows.
Pole pole Resort
The Pole Pole Resort at
Mafia Island's Marine Park is a new kind of resort. Consisting of only seven
bungalows, our island home promises personal attention and service. "Pole
Pole" means "take it easy" in Swahili.
Situated in the Utende
area of Mafia Island (map), the resort is Archipelago's main base. It is set
in a shady, breezy spot facing a sea of the deepest blue and looking over at
the islands of Chole, Juani and Jibondo.The resort is owned and operated by
a young Italian couple.
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