Lemon Grass Beach Holiday: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Lemon Grass Beach Holiday. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: Dar es Salaam International Airport
After collecting your luggage, you’ll be met by a local representative for the five-minute shuttle transfer to the Domestic Terminal.
Dar es Salaam to Chole by air, 4WD & boat
From Dar es Salaam International Airport, your half-hour light-aircraft flight lands at Mafia Island's tiny airstrip. From here it's a further half-hour drive to Utende, then a 15-minute boat crossing to Chole Island – wading the last few metres to shore. Getting to Chole is an adventure in itself!
Chole Mjini
Chole Mjini is one of the most original small lodges that we know in East Africa. It stands on Chole Island, just off the coast of Mafia Island, which is a peaceful and charming hideaway in an area that sees little tourism. The lodge was built to be environmentally sound, and to give real benefits to the local community. Built among 19th-century ruins, it's all quite Indiana Jones: the ultimate eco-lodge, built before the term became so commonplace.
Chole Mjini is one of the most original small lodges that we know in East Africa. It stands on Chole Island, just off the coast of Mafia Island, which is a peaceful and charming hideaway in an area that sees little tourism. The lodge was built to be environmentally sound, and to give real benefits to the local community. Built among 19th-century ruins, it's all quite Indiana Jones: the ultimate eco-lodge, built before the term became so commonplace.
"Chole Mjini - not really a hit unfortunately"
M&AfromAustriaArrived 12 Feb 2020, 3 nights
Chole Mjini is the perfect environmentally sound getaway and it has a wonderful community atmosphere that comes from genuine engagement with its neighbours on the island. This is a high-quality lodge, that pragmatically eschews many of the bells and whistles of modern hotels that we so often take for granted. That means it won't be for everyone, but it makes it very distinctive, and we think it's all the better for it. See our full report on Chole Mjini Lodge
Activities
Boat trip
Cultural excursion
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Crossing from Chole to Mafia Island by boat
There's plenty of time for a relaxed morning before boarding the boat from Chole Mjini back to the main island. The 15-minute trip takes you across a narrow inlet of Mafia Island Marine Park direct to Pole Pole, idyllically nestled among the mangroves on a small, sandy beach .
Pole Pole
Pole Pole is a lovely relaxed beach lodge, built in 1998, and set among coconut palms, on a hillside sloping up from the beach, overlooking the sheltered Chole Bay in the Mafia Island Marine Park. The phrase 'pole pole' means 'slowly' in Swahili, and certainly says a lot about the atmosphere here. With only seven thatched bungalows, Pole Pole is intimate, quiet and very welcoming, and offers a wonderful beach retreat.
Pole Pole is a lovely relaxed beach lodge, built in 1998, and set among coconut palms, on a hillside sloping up from the beach, overlooking the sheltered Chole Bay in the Mafia Island Marine Park. The phrase 'pole pole' means 'slowly' in Swahili, and certainly says a lot about the atmosphere here. With only seven thatched bungalows, Pole Pole is intimate, quiet and very welcoming, and offers a wonderful beach retreat.
"Lovely spot to stay. Whale shark trip was a great success."
Mike & JanettefromUKArrived 30 Aug 2022, 5 nights
Pole Pole is a small, quiet and personal beach lodge that manages an excellent balance between staying in keeping with its surroundings, while 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. It has always been a firm favourite with us and our guests, and on our most recent visits it continued to live up to expectations. See our full report on Pole Pole
Activities
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Mafia to Dar es Salaam by 4WD & light aircraft
Typically you'll leave Pole Pole mid-morning for the half-hour drive to the airstrip, close to the island's sleepy capital, Kilindoni. Here you'll board a small light aircraft, flying over the Mafia Channel to Dar es Salaam, and landing after around 30 minutes in time to make your onward connections.
Ends: Dar es Salaam International Airport
On arrival at the Domestic Terminal, you’ll be escorted to a shuttle for the International Terminal, taking just five minutes.
