Mafia Island Pole Pole Escape

Style Rating:	£££££ Opulent
Holiday Ref:	TZMPEO

A Long Sojourn on Mafia Island – Barefoot Luxury at Pole Pole

For a couple of weeks of blissful unwind and pure relaxation, then our Mafia Island Pole Pole Escape may just be for you. If the big game of Tanzania’s National Parks doesn’t excite you then perhaps the thought of powder-white sandy beaches, coconut palms bowing in the breeze and balmy tropical nights under an African night-sky might? Located just 20 miles off the Tanzanian coast, only a 35 minute flight from Dar es Salaam, Mafia Island is a true remnant of the old Swahili coast, a place unspoilt, timeless and unaffected by commercialism. Local people go about their traditional activities seemingly detached from the outside world.

Your island hideaway on this Mafia Island holiday is the Pole Pole Lodge, with a prime location on Chole Bay in Mafia Island Marine Park. A small luxury eco-resort with just seven elegant and spacious bungalow suites, Pole Pole is set among coconut trees, overlooking the bay and Chole and Juani Islands. Furnished with carved and antique pieces each bungalow has a large private verandah with a view of the Indian Ocean. Once on Mafia, you can choose to relax, eat, swim and sleep. Alternatively, indulge in popular island activities: snorkel in Mafia Island Marine Park, experience world class dive sites, search for whale sharks, or perhaps explore the island on a 4x4 island tour. Travelling unescorted you’ll be assisted by Specialist Tanzania’s local team in Dar and by lodge staff on Mafia.

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Scheduled Departures and Operating Period

Our Mafia Island Pole Pole Escape departs every Sunday throughout the year (and other days upon request) except during the rainy season of April and May when Pole Pole is closed. This itinerary operates on a private departure basis with a minimum of 2 people enjoying an exclusive Mafia Island Pole Pole experience.

Months of Operation

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

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Holiday Highlights

1	Discover one of Tanzania's hidden gems - Mafia Island
2	Really unwind at Pole Pole during an 11-night stay
3	Wide range of day trips, boat trips and activities available
4	Can be enjoyed by divers and non-diving travelling companions
5	Explore off-shore islands and fishing villages on optional boat trips
6	Chance to see whale sharks between October and March

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Itinerary in Brief

Day 1		Dar es Salaam - Arrive Dar and overnight in comfortable hotel.
Day 2		Mafia Island - Fly from Dar to Mafia; transfer to Pole Pole on Chole Bay for 11 night stay.
Day 3-12		Mafia Island - At Pole Pole; optional excursions on land or sea, dive, snorkel or go fishing.
Day 13		Holiday ends - Check-out and fly back to Dar es Salaam.

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Responsible Tour Operating on Mafia Island

Pole Pole makes every effort to help protect its natural environment and local community, and promotes itself as a low environmental impact resort with a state-of-the-art phyto-purification plant. Phyto-purification is the special process of treating waste water to prevent environmental pollution. Pole Pole decided against installing a pool due to a lack of fresh water and the threat to marine parks because waters with high concentration of chlorine have to be discarded periodically.

Specialist Tanzania is also determined to do what it can to help minimise any negative impacts on the environmental and cultural welfare of Mafia that tourism may bring. We aim to do this through promoting responsible visitor behaviour; promoting waste reduction; facilitating cultural exchange between guests and local communities; supporting local businesses, goods and services; encouraging guests to eat local foods rather than imported foods; encouraging the conservation of natural resources like electricity and water; and promoting the importance of protecting the local environment and nature. 

» Read our full responsible travel policy