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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 61-70 of 135
Duration
Arrival date
Mr & Mrs K
Hampshire

"good bar pole pole beech"

I visited Tanzania between 14 Sep 2013 and 24 Sep 2013
"All lovely bar pole pole beech - see comments. Should we use expert africa again we do need to get the beech/relax part sorted as this has been a problem three times now and, as I said, I had mentioned how important this would be to us given Zanzibar and mozambique." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Godalming

"Holiday in Southern Tanzania"

I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 10 Sep 2013 and 2 Oct 2013
"We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday which generally met or exceeded our expectations. There were no hitches in any of the arrangements made by Expert Africa." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 19 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Cambridge

"Excellent holiday / honeymoon"

I visited Tanzania between 12 Aug 2013 and 25 Aug 2013
"Our trip exceeded all our expectations. We booked our flights (Emirates from London Gatwick to Dubai to Dar), spent one night at the Southern Sun in Dar, 3 nights at Lake Manze in the Selous and 4 nights at Mdonya in Ruaha before 5 nights at Butiama Beach in Mafia.

We very much valued the advice we were given by Expert Africa and we were certainly better prepared than most other travellers we met. All recommendations and comments given about hotels, lodges, flights were borne out by what we saw.

When we return to Africa, we will certainly plan to use Expert Africa again." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
NL

"OUR AMAZING FIRST SAFARI"

I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 5 Aug 2013 and 20 Aug 2013
"would definitely recommend this trip to anyone thinking of a safari.

Angela very helpful with good suggestions about where to go - which camp etc so we got the most out of our first safari." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
M family
Weybridge

"Great overall experience"

I visited Tanzania between 27 Jul 2013 and 7 Aug 2013
"The experience was great. We loved the safaris and being in the parks. We also loved Mafia, very peaceful." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
Volcano

"Tanzanian trip, July 2013"

I visited Tanzania between 4 Jul 2013 and 21 Jul 2013
"We had a great trip, but there were a few things that could have made it even better.

The cancellation of the British Air flights to Dar turned out to be a bigger headache than we anticipated. Kenya Air service was not very good and the extra stop and layover time in Nairobi was frustrating. If others are going to Dar I'd suggest looking into other options.

We chose to be driven to Selous rather than fly. But that took 2 long days (7 hours in the car each day). When we arrived in Selous others told us that they often drove to Dar on a different road in about 6 hours. We would have missed Mikumi NP, but there really wasn't enough to see there to justify the longer drive.

We were really disappointed in Jongomero, although others there were very pleased with it. The upscale facilities, pool, etc. were enough to satisfy others (many who seem to be booked into a Siwandu/Jongomero/Ras Kutani trip), most who seemed to be on their first safari. We selected Jongomero because of the great guiding on walks that was supposed to be there. But that guide (Molly) had left. Game there was very skittish and vehicle-shy. After a fantastic 3 days at Kwihala, Jongomero was a real letdown. We took a chance on the place, knowing that Molly had left after we booked it. That turned out to be a mistake.

But on a positive note, our 3 days at Kwihala and 4 days at Chole Mjini were absolutely spectacular and the memories from there are what will stay with us from this trip." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs D
Stamford

"My Jan 2013 trip"

I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 19 Jan 2013 and 29 Jan 2013
"Excellent despite BA disappointment.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Look at your Hotel choices in Stone Town." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Family T
London

"memorable holiday in Tanzania"

I visited Tanzania between 23 Dec 2012 and 6 Jan 2013
"Fabulous trip. Well planned. It all worked. Each part was memorable.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep up the good work.

Our second trip with Expert Africa and really good again. Well done." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Wiltshire

"Ruaha-a Dream come true"

I visited Tanzania between 15 Nov 2012 and 30 Nov 2012
"A superb safari which expert africa helped put together at short notice with several changes (Thankyou Angela), which enabled us to return to Tanzania with some intrepidation (could it still be as good ?). It was even better and whilst there are some issues in the modern world of conservation, we were thrilled with our experiences and the enthruing discussions around the fireplace in the evenings.

The most lions we have seen in 20 years of visiting Africa and these parks are a great place to see them.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep doing what you do" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Reading

"My Sep 2012 trip"

I visited Tanzania between 22 Sep 2012 and 7 Oct 2012
"A lovely trip and very well organised by Expert Africa." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Showing 61-70 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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