CHOLE MJINI

The only lodge on Chole Island in Chole Bay, Mafia Island Marine Park. An incredible design of unique tree houses built high amongst the baobab trees.

THE ACCOMMODATION

There are 6 tree houses each built to its own unique design and one large open plan house built at ground level. Each house has at least one double bed, made-up with fine Egyptian cottons and protected by a huge, walk-in mosquito net. Each tree house has a shower, with both hot and cold water, and its own dry composting thunderbox toilet, situated at the base of the tree in it's own private garden. The rooms vary with original designs varying from a suspended bed to different levels each offering beds with different views of the sea.
The one house at ground level has an en-suite bathroom with a sunken, mosaiced Persian bath and the only flush toilet at the lodge and a large private garden – this is especially for those who cannot or do not want to live in a tree.

THE FACILITIES

There is no electricity on Chole so it’s important to note no television, no air-conditioning and no fax or email facilities available to guests. The lodge is an incredible experience with unique environmentally friendly designs but it has a rustic desert island feel throughout.
Meals are served in the dining area overlooking the small harbor and the accent is on fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables, including many traditional and local. There is an upstairs bar with sea views and the downstairs lounge area has a wide range of games, magazines, reference books and novels.

THE ACTIVITIES

The resort has a fully equipped dive centre offering introductory, novice, open water, specialty and advanced courses and there are a wide variety of good diving and snorkelling sites in Mafia Island Marine Park. Dives are conducted from dhows. Other watersports include windsurfing.
Dhow trips are planned daily to the sandbanks and smaller islands for exploring, birding, swimming and sunbathing. Hikes along the village trails and also further afield to the nearby island of Juani to explore the forests and ruins of ancient Kua can be guided or unaccompanied.
Chole Mjini has been actively involved in establishing and running many projects that assist the local community such as the hospital, primary school, kindergarten, market, bursary and loan schemes, and other development projects which are partially funded by guests through the village levy included in the accommodation tariff. Please remember to act modestly and dress appropriately when in the village in order not to offend your hosts and thus make the most of the rare opportunity to visit a traditional Swahili village.

THE VERDICT

Chole Mjini is a real experience and something completely different. The design of the tree houses is just stunning and the individual creativity of the owners is evident throughout the lodge. However it is not for everyone so if you like home comforts such as aircon and TV then go to Zanzibar, if you want to escape from the real world and live the dream of desert island escapism this is the place for you. Note that there is no swimming beach on Chole so excursions to nearby sandbars are offered for swimming.

COST: $200p.p.