Chole Mjini
Mafia Island, Tanzania
About
A tiny mangrove-fringed island of atmospheric 19th-century ruins, a baobab-shaded village and a famous eco-lodge.
Opening hours
- Monday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Where it is
Getting to & around Mafia Island
From other cities: Coastal, Auric and other operators fly light aircraft from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar into Mafia Airport (MFA); there is also a slow local ferry and dhow service from Nyamisati on the mainland.
Getting around: Taxis and a few vehicles connect Kilindoni with the Chole Bay lodges; boats and dhows handle transfers within the marine park, to Chole and Juani islands, and to the whale-shark grounds.
Full getting-there guideMore in Mafia Island
Park
Mafia Island Marine Park
Tanzania's first marine park, protecting reefs, mangroves and seagrass around Chole Bay and its islands.
Natural Feature
Chole Bay
The sheltered, coral-rich bay at the heart of the marine park, the base for most diving and snorkelling.
Historical Landmark
Kua Ruins, Juani Island
The overgrown remains of a Shirazi Swahili town of mosques and tombs, reached by dhow across the bay.
Kilindoni
The island's capital and main port, with a lively fish market and the airport gateway to Mafia.