Mafia Island - Pole Pole ***

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Mafia Island - Pole Pole ***

Pole Pole Resort is located in the Chole Bay area, near Utende village on the south-east coast of the Mafia Island Marine Park. It lies on the beach, within a tropical garden, overlooking a spectacular view of the Mafia Archipelago and the Indian Ocean.

Accommodation
"Luxury bungalows' elegant and spacious, are set among the coconut palms overlooking the bay. The rooms are furnished with carved and antique pieces. Twin and double beds are available and an extra bed can be provided. Two bungalows are “family' type with two rooms separated by the bathroom and a small corridor for privacy. The large private verandas are furnished with a Zanzibari bed, chairs, table and an armchair. Each bungalow is self-contained; the bathroom is spacious and comfortable. There are two ceiling fans, one on the veranda and one in the bedroom above the bed.

Pole Pole is a low environmental impact resort with a state-of-the-art phytopurification plant which is a special process of treating waste water to prevent environmental pollution.

Dining, bar, lounge
Ethnic décor. The cuisine is a combination of diverse culinary traditions and cultures, with an Italian style touch of class. Swahili dinners are served once a week or on request. The resort caters for special dietary requirements whenever possible. Most of the food we serve is organically grown and bought on the island to help fishermen and farmers benefit from tourism development. A selection of alcoholic beverages, wines, beers, juices and cold drinks are always available at the bar. The bar remains open until all guests have retired. The ice served with drinks is safe and drinkable.

Breakfast is served from 07.30am onwards. Lunch is served from 12.30am
Dinner is served from 8.00pm. Early or late breakfast and/or lunch are served according to the diving and excursion programmes. Drinking water in the bungalows, bottled water, served every day in a jug, is drinkable and safe.

Library
Books, magazines and articles about nature, archaeology, history, anthropology, wildlife, underwater life and photographs and diving information are available. Playing cards and board games are also available.

Massage
You can enjoy a relaxing body massage using essential oils either on the beach or in the comfort of your own room. Our masseuse has been trained in lymphatic drainage style massage at an aromatherapy massage studio in Dar es Salaam. Manicure and pedicure are also available.

Other services
- Laundry service is available and complimentary.
- Beach kitenge or local cloth, are provided for your use on the boats and on the beach.
- Hot and cold water available 24 hours.
- A hair dryer can be borrowed from the reception.
- A few useful items (shampoo, suntan lotions, sanitary absorbent's, Kodak films etc.) as well as local fabrics, carvings and beach items are for sale at the bar & restaurant.
- A safety box is available and located at the reception.

The Marine Park
The Mafia Archipelago and the delta of the Rufiji River form one of the most interesting marine ecosystems and coral reefs in the world. The area has a high bio-diversity and is considered an important habitat for endangered species. There are over 400 species of fish, on land the rich vegetation is dominated by large palm groves, baobabs, mangroves and fruit trees. The wildlife is extremely varied; monkeys, small antelopes, wild pigs, bush babies as well as a small colony of dwarf hippos. There are also countless types of birds. The warm, safe waters of the inland bays and lagoons are a paradise for both expert and beginner scuba divers as well as those simply wishing to snorkel. Mafia Island Marine Park was established as the first Marine Park in Tanzania and covers a surface of 821 km².

Excursions and activities:
There are different types of activities or excursions: by boat, by 4x4 car or walking and light trekking. The activities in the marine park are scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing and visiting the local villages. Pole Pole Resort organises boat excursions and picnics to isolated islets, sandbanks or islands every day, according to the tide. The Diving Centre provides PADI Federations' certificates (medical certificates are mandatory to do a beginners course). The excursions by 4x4 car take you right across the island through villages and changing landscapes up to the northern tip where a lighthouse stands.

Please note:

Minimum stay is 7 nights during peak season (24DEC-02JAN)

Visa & Mastercard are accepted at the lodge. There is a 10% surcharge.
For the period of 1st August - 31st August and 20th December - 10th January cancellation policy is no refund under 45 days.
You can now roam with your cellular phone in Mafia. To preserve the tranquillity of the resort and in respect of other guests' peace, the use of mobile phones is limited to the rooms and ring tone in silent mode.

Itinerary: 7 nights

DAY 1: Fly from Johannesburg to Dar Es Salaam with Air Tanzania. Daily flights with Coastal Air on (duration of the flight 40 minutes). Proceed through customs and immigration and check in for your flight to Mafia Island. Transfer by boat (15 km) to Pole Pole where you will be staying for 7 nights on a full board basis.
DAY 8: Transfer to the airport and check in for your return flight to Dar Es Salaam. Check in for your international flight to Johannesburg with Air Tanzania.

Price includes

International flights (departure from Johannesburg), domestic flights from Dar Es Salaam to Mafia Island with Coastal Air, 7 nights hotel accommodation on full board basis and all airport-hotel transfers.

Also included

Daily excursions in Chole Bay and snorkelling (equipment included)
Tea, coffee and safe drinking water
Laundry (2 items per day)

Not included

Visa fee, meals not indicated, drinks, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance and airport taxes. Marine Park fees: USD10 per adult per day and children 5-16 years USD5, to be paid at the Park's entrance gate.