Pole Pole: Our full report

Pole Pole is a lovely relaxed beach lodge, set amongst coconut palms and overlooking the calm and sheltered Chole Bay in the Mafia Island Marine Park. The phrase 'pole pole' means 'slowly slowly' in Swahili, and certainly says a lot about the atmosphere here. With only seven thatched bungalows, Pole Pole is both intimate and quiet and offers a perfect beach retreat.

The beach at Pole Pole is a quiet stretch of white sand, cut off at either end by outcrops of mangroves. A path through this roughly follows the high-tide line, and allows you to explore further along the shore. At high tide, the mangroves make the narrow strip of beach feel like a secluded little cove. Then, when the tide goes out, you can potter much further from the shore, although since the tide can go out a long way, swimming times are limited. Wander a little way through the mangroves, however, and around the corner from Pole Pole you'll find a stretch of beach where you can swim throughout the day. Or you can take a dhow trip out to a sandbar to swim. (See under 'Activities' below.)

The rooms at Pole Pole are all. These sit on a gentle slope just above the beach, so all have a sea view. Read more about the thatched bungalows here...

Pole Pole's main areas are all built in very similar style – with high thatched ceilings, dark wooden floors and natural fabrics. The open-plan lounge and dining area is furnished with simple yet stylish wicker furniture, cream cushions and scatter cushions with intricate African patterns. In the dining area, take a look at the beautiful Zanzibari cabinet which features an attractive display of Pole Pole's handmade soaps. At one end, a rustic bar is made from entirely from wood and rope – very much in keeping with Pole Pole's general style. The clock behind the bar stopped working a long time ago – which is quite apt as time really isn't important here!

Close to the main dining area, Pole Pole also has a smaller dining area that is used for special or more intimate dinners. During the day, sofas and a hammock here offer the chance to relax out of the sun or play board games.

Pole Pole is Italian-owned, which shows in the simple but stylish air of the cottages, as well as in the menu. Meals are served either al fresco, overlooking the sea, or – if it's cool or windy – in a comfortable dining room with individual tables in a surprisingly formal setting. At one end, a relaxed bar is an inviting place to meet up with other guests.

Right on the beach you will find Pole Pole's small 'spa' – an open-sided thatched gazebo, where an excellent local therapist offers treatments ranging from a manicure to a full body massage. Prices vary but are generally very moderate; expect to pay about US$20–35 for a treatment.

There is a good variety of activities on offer at Pole Pole. Guided mangrove walks, snorkelling trips and dhow trips within Chole Bay are offered daily, and are included in your stay here. The timings and precise destinations/itinerary of dhow trips depend on the tides. Typically you'll sail for about an hour to a deserted sandbar, with a 360^º view of the ocean. Here the crew will set up simple shade cloths and prepare a delicious beach barbecue with a good supply of drinks. Snorkelling trips often form part of a dhow trip – either from the sandbar beach, or as a stop on the way out or back.

For activities outside of Chole Bay, such as island trips, there is a small additional charge of $10 to $35. Stay for a while and you'll find plenty of different destinations to explore – from old historical ruins to the amazing colony of fruit bats on nearby Chole Island. You can also take a guided walk around the nearby Utende Village, offering the chance to meet the people of this relatively secluded area.

Barely five minutes' walk down the beach is a small PADI scuba-diving centre. Here you will find a very competent team with well-maintained equipment. They run PADI courses and diving excursions in and around Chole Bay, which boasts many superb dive sites with a great variety of fish life. The dive manager usually pops over to Pole Pole in the evenings, to make arrangements for diving the next day.

Pole Pole is a five-minute walk from its neighbour on Mafia Island, Kinasi Lodge, and ten minutes by boat from Chole Mjini, on Chole Island.

Our view

Pole Pole is a small, quiet and personal beach lodge that manages an excellent balance – between staying in keeping with its surroundings, yet also creating a feeling of comfort and a relaxed, barefoot style. Expert Africa first came across Pole Pole many years ago, and we've visited many times. Since then it has remained a firm favourite with us and our guests, and on our most recent trip it continued to live up to our expectations!

Geographics

Location: Mafia Island, Tanzania

Ideal length of stay: Three nights or more

Directions: The main town on Mafia Island, Kilondoni, is a 25-minute flight from Dar es Salaam; it is then a 45-minute drive across the island to Pole Pole.

Key personnel

Owner: Independent / Owner Run

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: On our last few visits, the food at Pole Pole was very tasty and there was always more than enough! The menu is often Italian influenced – though you will also find the odd Swahili dish.

Breakfast is usually a very casual affair and guests are free to arrive at leisure during the morning. You can expect a selection of fruit and a cooked breakfast.

Lunch is also very casual and can be timed around guests' varying activities. Although there are usually three courses, it is still a light lunch, involving lots of salads and cold meats.

Dinner is a substantial four-course meal. Often you will be served salads, paté, pasta and other western-style dishes, though on occasion Pole Pole will prepare a Swahili meal or a barbecue night.

Dining style: Individual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Tea, coffee, and filtered drinking water; other drinks cost extra. Expect to pay around $18 for a bottle of wine and $4 for a local beer.

Special interests

Honeymoons: Pole Pole is a very relaxed lodge, which is perfect for those wanting a romantic time in a peaceful location. Furthermore the team is very good at making guests feel special and pampered – setting up private dinners and other special touches.

See more ideas for Honeymoons in Tanzania

Beach holidays: Pole Pole has a beach in front of it – but Mafia's most amazing beaches are reached on one of their dhow trips. These take you to remote sandbars in the bay: stunning small beaches with a 360^º view of the ocean!

See more ideas for Beach holidays in Tanzania

Diving & snorkelling: As with all of the lodges on Mafia, Pole Pole offers fantastic diving in the Mafia Island Marine Park. This is some of the best diving on the East African coast. When we were last there, diving cost $40 for a single dive and $300 for a 10-dive package (plus $20 a day equipment-hire fee).

See more ideas for Diving & snorkelling in Tanzania

Wellbeing: Pole Pole has good, but very low-key massages and treatments, offered in a tiny, laid-back 'spa' on the beach. This isn't the place for high-end therapies, but for a relaxing massage in a great location, it's a really good bet!

See more ideas for Wellbeing in Tanzania

Children

Equipment: There is no special equipment at Pole Pole for children.

Central communications

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Communications: There is mobile phone reception at Pole Pole and the camp has email that guests can use in cases of emergency

TV & radio: No

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: There is first aid available at Pole Pole, and for more serious cases there is a doctor in Kilondoni – the main town on Mafia.

Dangerous animals: Low Risk

Security measures: There is a gate at the front of Pole Pole and askaris (guards) on duty 24 hours a day.

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in all of the rooms, and also in the restaurant, kitchen, and store areas. In addition all of the main areas in the lodge are open sided, and everything is single-storey.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: Laundry is included at Pole Pole

Money: Pole Pole will happily exchange small amounts into Tanzania shillings for use in the local villages – but it is not a bureau de change.