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Mafia Island
Mafia Island
Mafia Island
Mafia Island

Mafia is a relatively unknown Island in the Indian Ocean.

It offers golden sandy beaches and emerald seas.

The Island is the perfect place to relax...

...and great for snorkelling or learning to dive.

Mafia Island

Reviews of holidays to Mafia Island

135 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Mafia Island.

Showing 21-30 of 135
Duration
Arrival date
Mr & Mrs J
Herts

"My Sep 2018 trip"

I visited Tanzania between 26 Sep 2018 and 17 Oct 2018
"Well-organised in amazing locations." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr S.
Albuquerque

"My Sep 2018 trip"

I visited Tanzania between 4 Sep 2018 and 23 Sep 2018
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr N
Canterbury

"Excellent holiday"

I visited Tanzania between 16 Aug 2018 and 31 Aug 2018
"Really excellent holiday.....only small problem was nobody met us at Dar domestic terminal to take us to the International terminal so we had to get a taxi after waiting to see if anyone came for us.

The arrangements from when we started discussions with Freddie to our return home were excellent and we can’t wait for another safari holiday in two years time.

This was our sixth safari holiday and just about the best." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Grantham

"Fantastic trip"

I visited Tanzania between 7 Feb 2018 and 27 Feb 2018
"We had a wonderful time overall and met some very interesting people.

We would have no hesitation in doing the same trip again, but I don't think we would take in Mafia Island. I think it's just us - we've outgrown just going to the beach. If we were planning this again I think we would stay an extra night and chill out at Beho Beho (in fact, Beho Beho offers far more luxury than Pole Pole and was much more comfortable) and then maybe a day at Oyster Bay in Dar before coming home." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Falmouth

"Our Best Holiday Ever!"

I visited Kenya and 1 other country between 4 Feb 2018 and 19 Feb 2018
"Our trip was amazing. We went to 4 of the 5 countries of East Africa. Saw the gorillas in Uganda, swam with Whale Sharks in Tanzania, climbed Kilimanjaro, kissed giraffes at Giraffe Manor, and had the best safari experience at Laikipia and Masai Mara!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Drs C & C
Hove

"My Nov 2017 trip"

I visited Tanzania between 16 Nov 2017 and 29 Nov 2017
"The trip was fabulous.

The staff at expert Africa gave us good advice about where to go and made the planning straightforward.

Going to three different camps allowed us to see animals in different landscapes.

Because we went to two Nomad and then a different company camp there was a lot of disappointment about not staying with Nomad. This however was a good idea as the food is quite similar at each camp and you might get bored of it!

The driving distances in the northern circuit aren't that large and it may be that a combination of driving and flying would result in greater exposure to the countryside.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really it was all great. We will be ringing you to go again next year!

I guess as a first time safari-gooer I didn't really realise how close we would come to the animals and how we would feel part of their world (them looking at us as well as the other way around!) The joy of seeing the cycle of life that plays out each day is an unforgettable experience!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs G
HitherGreen

"An Unforgettable Honeymoon Adventure"

I visited Tanzania between 18 Oct 2017 and 1 Nov 2017
"My husband and I had a truly memorable honeymoon which successfully balanced our wishes for a rustic safari experience whilst providing the creature comforts to make the trip a truly relaxing and enjoyable one. We loved the unspoilt charm of the Selous and Ruaha and that they were not overrun with tourists. The snorkelling at Mafia was some of the best we've both done with the reef, whilst noticeably damaged, still maintaining diverse life.

All transfers were pretty seemless so we really had no stress for the whole two weeks we were away." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr K & Ms C
Germany

"My Oct 2017 trip"

I visited Tanzania between 6 Oct 2017 and 17 Oct 2017
Overall trip
Good
Ms P
London

"A good off-the-beaten-track itinerary"

I visited Tanzania between 19 Sep 2017 and 30 Sep 2017
"Katavi and Mafia are both fairly off-the-beaten-track, which I loved, although there was quite a lot of travel in between locations. Flight schedules also meant having to spend a day at either end of the trip in Arusha, which was probably not the most efficient use of time, especially for a short holiday.

However, Katavi and Mafia were both places I really wanted to visit and I wouldn't have changed that." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
MRs W
Surrey

"Fantastic first trip to Tanzania"

I visited Tanzania between 17 Aug 2017 and 29 Aug 2017
"As requested Expert Africa did not arrange our flights or the accommodation in Stone town.

All that they organised was just as promised and to a very high standard." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Showing 21-30 of 135
98%
135 reviews of Mafia Island by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
122
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Where to stay in Mafia Island

Our suggestions for beach lodges in Mafia Island


Pole Pole

Pole Pole

Pole Pole is a small, quiet beach lodge on Mafia. It's comfortable, almost luxurious, and has a great range of activities.


94% (103 reviews)
Chole Mjini Lodge

Chole Mjini

Chole Mjini is one of Tanzania's most environmentally aware lodges. With tree-houses, superb diving and a fantastic location on the rural island of Chole, this is ideal if you want to get back to nature.


95% (30 reviews)
Butiama Beach

Butiama Beach

Situated just west of Kilondoni, the main town on Mafia, Butiama Beach is a simple beach lodge with friendly managers and a laid back vibe.


95% (11 reviews)
Kinasi Lodge

Kinasi Lodge

Kinasi is a small, personal beach lodge on Mafia Island that has the features of a larger hotel, including a large pool and spa.


82% (11 reviews)
Shamba Kilole

Shamba Kilole

Shamba Kilole is a charming Italian-owned eco-lodge on the coast of Mafia Island, with simple rooms and friendly owner-managers.


No reviews yet
Thanda Island

Thanda Island

Thanda Island is a high-end private island destination that caters to just one group of travellers at a time.


No reviews yet

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