Ras Mbisi Lodge

‘Barefoot Luxury’ Mafia Island Beach Lodge

Ras Mbisi is a small informal ‘beach meets bush’ lodge set on 8 kilometres of deserted beach on the west coast of Mafia Island. Sustainably-built, Ras Mbisi Lodge offers guests ‘barefoot luxury’ with a relaxed atmosphere in an untouched part of Mafia Island. With an aim to ensure guests can really escape from the outside world, mobile phone access is limited and internet access absent. The focus of a stay at the lodge is on relaxation in comfort, organically-grown local food and friendly but unobtrusive service.

Sustainably-built by local artisans from local coco-wood, the accommodation comprises nine spacious ‘open tent’ bandas (rooms) which are only metres from a powder-white beach. Each room has a private bathroom and a balcony with views out to the Indian Ocean. Like the bandas, furniture is produced from coco-wood, and is made by local craftsmen. A beach-front restaurant and roof-top bar offer a place to refuel with exceptional views of the sea, whilst a pool provides a place to relax, sunbathe and swim.

At Ras Mbisi Lodge, you can do as much - or as little - as you wish. Optional island excursions, sunset cruises and sailing in n’galawas with local boatmen are available at an extra charge. Sea kayaks and dug-out canoes are available free of charge. Scuba diving courses and a variety of dives and dive packages can be arranged in Mafia Island Marine Park in Chole Bay.

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Highlights of Ras Mbisi Lodge 

 

1	Chance to unwind in an untouched Indian Ocean beachfront setting.
2	Choose to do as much or as little as you like – lots of activities available.
3	A sustainable lodge offering interaction with local community.
4	Focus on food! Freshly sourced with blend of Swahili and international cuisine.
5	Comfortable banda-style, thatched-roof, accommodation.

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Community and the Environment

The owners of Ras Mbisi Lodge set out not to exploit the area that is their home, instead aiming to contribute to the lives of their neighbours and helping to protect the beautiful area they live in. In practice, they try to make as much use as they can of one of their most abundant and sustainable sources: coco-wood.

The power is supplied by a biomass gasifier that is fuelled by waste. The principal building material is also coco-wood. In addition, they harness the tropical sun with solar heated water. Their soap, available in all rooms, is made locally from virgin coconut oil.

Employees are also local, and trained on location at Ras Mbisi. They are also developing a community project that will be one of the first such projects in the area, raising money for desks at Chungaruma school.