Pole Pole Bungalows offers seven luxurious rooms to live a relaxing and mindful experience, while introducing the rich biodiversity of the Mafia Archipelago.

Pole Pole Bungalows in Mafia Island

This accommodation requires a 2-night minimum stay, and during New year season 5-night minimum stay.

Pole Pole Bungalows offers seven luxurious rooms, five are double bungalows and two are suites on the shores of Chole Bay which are elegantly designed and tastefully furnished. The spacious bungalows include carved and antique pieces and large private verandas with bed, chairs, table and armchairs. Two additional Asali Suites contain an extra room which can also serve as an extra bedroom suitable for 4 persons.

Your stay at Pole Pole Bungalows is designed to be mindful, relaxing and in line with nature therefore you will find the absence of TV and WiFi in your room a welcoming change. You can indulge in a massage spa treatment, get lost in time in their library or enjoy the tranquility of their lush and green garden. Their cuisine blends various cultures together and tops it of with an Italian touch.

The use of cellular phones is not permitted in the common areas. You are welcome to use your phone in silent mode in your room.

Keep in mind that is compulsory to have travel insurance covering cancellation fees, personal accidents, medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation costs.

Location

The rates include:

Room as booked
Full board (early morning tea, breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Transfer to and from Mafia airport
One daily boat excursion
Tea, coffee and bottled water
Laundry
Tourism Development Levy

The rates don’t include:

Marine Park fees to be paid by credit card upon your arrival at the park’s entrance gate: Adults 23.6 USD per person per day, Children aged 10-16 years, 11.8 USD per child per day.
Drinks (except from tea, coffee and bottled water)
New Year’s supplement of 50 USD

Included and paid Amenities

Safe
Swimming pool
Library

Gift shop
WiFi in public areas
Massage (additional cost)

Non-smoking rooms
Private beach access
Beach umbrellas / chairs

Are you travelling with children?

We love children and are happy about welcoming children +10 years old at the hotel. Unfortunately our online reservation system is not yet fully ready to calculate child rates correctly. We are working on this.

So when you proceed with the reservation, you will currently only see adult rates displayed and calculated.

But don’t worry! We will manually review any reservation and will adjust the rate. You will hear from us shortly after your reservation. You will only pay the hotel’s child rate for your children.

Child policy of this hotel:

Children aged 0-9 years are not allowed in this accommodation.

Children aged from 10 to 12 years pay 130 USD per night in low season and 147.5 USD per night in high season.

Children aged 13 years or more pay full adult rate. Please choose “adult” in the online reservation in case of a child aged 13 or older.

Cancellation policy

The policy of this hotel in case of cancellation or no show is:

● Between 44-30 days before arrival: 25% of charged rate

● Between 29-15 days before arrival: 50% of charged rate

● Less than 15 days before arrival: 100% of charged rate

● For the period from the 1st August to 31st August and from the 20th December to 10th January the policy is no refund for cancellations less than 45 days before arrival.

Additionally, zanzibar.eco as a platform provider charges 30 USD processing fee for each cancellation.

Ecological & Social Footprint

Pole Pole Bungalows uses a state-of-the-art water treatment process via phyto-purification where grey water and sewage is cleaned by plants and microbes to digest contaminants before it is used again for watering the greenery. Rainwater is also collected during the rainy seasons and ensures the availability of even a higher amount of reusable water. Pole Pole Bungalows tries to eliminate the residual waste as much as possible through strict segregation of plastic, glass and compost and the reuse of as many elements as possible.

One of Pole Pole Bungalow’s philosophy is to hire and train staff from the local village with a special focus on the employment of women. The lodge also supports staff financially if they want to seek further education or any additional courses such as becoming a dive master. The staff also receives regular professional training from international experts be it in the area of wine tasting, massage or kitchen finesse.

Pole Pole Bungalows was built from a high percentage of natural elements such as wood and palm thatched roofs and blends in naturally in the island’s surroundings. The majority of products and produces available on the island is sourced locally or grown in their garden. The staff of Pole Pole Bungalows is regularly participating in beach and village clean-ups and therefore contributing to conserving the island’s environment.

Things To Do

Mafia Island is located about 20km off-shore of the Tanzanian mainland in the Indian Ocean and perfect for an off the beaten track and exclusive holiday destination. Construction has been limited on the island therefore only a few touristic lodges exist. The island can be reached by light aircraft from Dar-es-Salaam and the airport transfer is included. Diving safaris within Mafia Island’s Marine Park introduces you to the rich biodiversity of the Mafia Archipelago. Snorkeling is also a great way to discover the nearby reefs and whale sharks, well-known in Mafia Island. Visit the old ruins of the Arab buildings on Chole Island or the ancient city of Kua on Juani Island. Discover virgin forests, small villages and beaches still untouched by human cultivation on the Mafia Archipelago.

Pole Pole Bungalows