Apr_Sept 2018 It generally feels like a barefoot kind of place, and Pole Pole Bungalows distils Mafia down to its essence; it seems an organic function of the island, built all of natural materials and melding harmoniously with its surrounds. Located inside the Marine Park, it preserves and embodies a conservationist ethos - in fact, it feels more like a seaside take on the bush, than a classic beach resort. With just seven gorgeous bungalows perched atop a gentle slope overlooking Chole Bay, it specialises in warm and friendly service, sumptuously delicious food, and a soul-easing space from which to take in all the isle has to offer.
21/02/2018 Taking its name from the Arabic word "morfiyeh", which means "group of islands", Mafia is the third biggest of the isles that dot the Tanzanian coast. Although many assume it's part of the Zanzibar archipelago, Mafia is governed from the mainland and forms part of another small cluster of islands and atolls in the region. It lies to the south of Zanzibar and was once an important stop over for the trading vessels -- from Egypt, Rome, Portugal and Greece -- that plied these waters centuries ago. Like Pemba, Mafia is far less busy than Zanzibar and has some of the best diving in the world. The waters around the island are -- on account of mainland rivers that tip into the sea here -- extraordinarily fertile, meaning they host an astonishing population of whale sharks and are a popular breeding ground for humpbacks which return every year to breed. There are several places to stay, amongst the nicest is eco lodge Pole Pole (which in Kiswahili translates as "slowly, slowly", an invitation to kick back and take it easy) on the southern end of the island with easy access to the marine conservation areas..... Mafia Diving is an exceptional little operation within walking distance of Pole Pole that won't just accommodate your underwater adventures such as swimming with whale sharks and reef diving. They'll also take you on sunset cruises through the Mafia archipelago, to watch turtles hatching on Juani island and visit what is possibly East Africa's only fruit bat sanctuary -- for Comoros lesser fruit bat -- on little Chole Island, a 10 minute boat ride from Pole Pole. Here you'll also be able to explore gracefully decaying 19th century ruins and then slake your thirst with a beer at the Red Herring bar and enjoy fabulous sea views.
26/01/2018 Pole Pole Mafia Island, Tanzania Throw out your notion of a typical ‘beach holiday,’ and open yourself to something different; something closer to nature, and an experience so in tune with the natural rhythm of the ocean that you’ll have to physically tear yourself away. That place is Pole Pole, a rustic yet stylish lodge on isolated Mafia Island, just off the east coast of Africa, and a place that offers a true digital detox. The name “Pole Pole” means “slowly slowly”, and everything about the lodge has an emphasis on slowing down. When you’re here, time shifts, and your days begin with the rising sun, and end with the moon and stars. Considered one of the most exclusive eco-resorts in the world, Pole Pole balances luxury with a respect for the local environment and cultures; this is comfortable escapism at its best.
"I am heading for Utende, a small village on the other side of the island close to the Chole Channel, which separates Mafia from Chole and Jibondo islands. Here, close to where the original Frontier camp was, is the luxurious eco-friendly retreat of Pole Pole (pronounced po-le po-le) and Mafia Island Lodge, where the dive centre is located. Pole Pole is a beautiful resort run by extremely friendly people who can't do enough for you. Voted one of the world's top 25 eco-resorts by The Times, it has 10 bungalows that blend into the African coastline. It has a beautiful lounge and dining room, massage facilities and a chill-out area. It is an amazing place in which to unwind."
"Mafia proved to be the perfect place for post-safari beachcombers (almost everyone eho comes here has been in the Selous or Serengeti first) who've got more ambitions than simpy a hammock and a mango juice - the snorkelling is outstanding, the diving world-renowned, there are ruins of Persian and German slave-trading empires to explore, monkeys and birds to spot, sandbanks to take a fleeting lunch on before the tide reclaims them, and you can even get lessons from the locals in sailing a hand-carved dhow."
"Pole-Pole significa, em swahili, "devagar, devagar"- Este resort foi projectado, desenhado e construido por um casal de italianos que combinaram os principios do ecoturismo com o exotismo ocal: O cenario é a espectacular ilha de Mafia, ao largo de Tanzania, a major de um arquipélago com muitod atois. O resort encontra-se inserido num parque marinho onde se podem observar paisagens sabaquaticas com mais de 400 espécies de peixes, para além de corais, tartarugas e golfinhos."
"Pole Pole is a spotless designer eco-lodge with ten rooms built on stilts set in tropical gardens... The sea is so turquoise and beautiful it looks like a magical potion, and there's barely a tourist in sight."
"No-one is exactly sure how this island got its name. The most commonly cited explanation is that the word ‘mafia’ is derived from an old Arabic phrase meaning ‘nobody there’. While this certainly has none of the connotations usually associated with the word, a first-time visitor may be forgiven for thinking as much.....The old Arabic version of the word ‘mafia’ is certainly more appropriate. Although we arrived only a few days after New Year and during the peak season, Mafia Island seemed deserted. Any other guests seemed lost in the vast expanse of white beaches and coconut palms. And to complete the Robinson Crusoe image, we were greeted by a wooden dhow moored offshore, waiting to take us diving the following morning."
"A warm wind rustles the fronds of the coconut palm outside my veranda. Offshore, white-sailed dhows drift across the viridian waters of Chole Bay. It’s a tranquil setting here at Pole Pole as the late afternoon light softens. I kick off my shoes and watch the moon rise and cast silvery fingers over the rippled ocean. Pole Pole Resort (its name means ‘slowly, slowly’ in the Swahili language) has been hailed by the US Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the top 25 eco-lodges in the world. Its seven spacious en-suite bungalows are set in tropical gardens and were built by local craftsmen entirely of local timber. Raised on stilts, each unit has a private veranda with a Zanzibari bed for those essential afternoon siestas. Indoors, the bedlinen has been imported from Italy, the bathrooms have double basins and the showers are king-sized. Gauzy drapes hang at the windows. Beyond, there are endless views to the horizon."
If I ever decide to get married, this is definitely the place I will choose. Pole Pole is a small, intimate, exclusive resort comprising only seven chalets, situated on the beach on Mafia island. Each unit is tastefully designed and built using local materials and genuine Zanzibari antiques. It’s classy and sophisticated – not a place for those seeking the nightlife. With connecting flights available from Tanzania’s most famous game parks, Pole Pole offers is the ideal bush-and-beach combo. Underwater activity takes the form of superb yet relaxed daily dives in the adjacent marine park from the decks of a traditional dhow."
"We don't want hippies on our beach. Or someone else's noisy kids. Or donkeys. Or ice cream vans. All we want is gorgeous sand, turquoise seas, a beachsidee hotel and seafoor dinner with a view. ... Pole Pole Resort is the best on Mafia. Translating as "slowly slowly", it's a nine-bungalow, Italian-designed ecoresort - all thatch, muslin and mahogany. Where to eat: don't even think about strying from the Italian-Swahill options overlooking the beach."
Sono 7 sofisticate residenze immerse nel verde e con vista sulla baia. Spaziose (60 mq), con un’ampia veranda affacciata su un giardino tropicale e arredi in bambù e legno che mantengono il profumo delle essenze naturali, hanno soffitti in makuti (foglie di palma). La scelta di costruire con materiali naturali fa eccezione per i bagni (in cemento), con doppi lavandini e ampia doccia. Le acque sono filtrate con sistema di fitodepurazione per non inquinare. Soluzioni semplici, come i teli per proteggere gli ambienti esterni dal vento (quando c’è) senza interrompere il contatto con la natura. Sensazione da circolo privato anche negli spazi comuni, mai affollati. Sala da pranzo sul mare, con bar per un drink. Spazio benessere dedicato alla lettura, all’ascolto di musica o a un massaggio olistico con oli prodotti nella boutique di una signora inglese residente a Dar. Spiaggia pulita ogni mattina dai residui della marea e preparata per il relax. Punto di forza è la cucina, che sorprende per la capacità di combinare gli ingredienti locali alla tradizione italiana, ottenendo risultati eccellenti.
I spent my first night on Mafia in Pole Pole (which means ‘slowly slowly’ in Swahili), one of the smaller places, a collection of rustic-chic, palm-thatched huts among coconut trees overlooking a narrow golden beach. Everything about it – the local antiques and fabrics in the rooms, the broken clocks that encourage guests to forget about time, the absence of piped music, the low-key eco-friendly projects – ......In such a place, it seems almost bad manners not to relax...No one will care if all you do between meals– a delicious fusion of local and Mediterranean flavours – is laze on your terrace daybed with a good book, enjoying the birdsong and frangipaniscented breeze.
Sete bungalows plantano em cima da areia, entre os coqueiros, convidam à preguiça. Cortinas de linho ondulam no lugar das paredes e uma rede embala as sestas. Entre banhos de mar ou snorkeling, pode encomendar um piquenique num banco de areia, usufruir de uma massagem ou aproveitar para treinar a difícil arte do dolce fare niente. Por estas e por outras é que o Pole Pole ganhou o prémio daprestigiada revista "Condé Nast Traveler" como um dos 25 Melhores Eco-Lodges do mundo.
Pole Pole Bungalows (‘slowly, slowly’ in Swahili) has been hailed by the US Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the top 25 eco-lodges in the world. Located on Chole Bay on the southeast coast of Mafia island, Pole Pole is exclusive yet unpretentious, with a peaceful and private atmosphere, and the perfect hideaway for ocean lovers and those looking for relaxation before or after a safari
Beide Anlagen stehen unter europäischem Management und werden nach der Idee des sanften Tourismus geführt. Das PolePole ist ein gepflegtes Boutique-Resort mit nur 7 grossen, eleganten Bungalows. Der Service und die Verpflegung passen zum Rest: Ein durchaus angenehmer Hauch von Luxus!