Chole Mjini
Chole Mjini is an owner run eco-friendly lodge located on the small and idyllic island of Chole, set in the clear waters of Chole Bay, at the centre of Mafia Island’s Marine Park and surrounded by natural beauty. Children from two years are welcome.
Accommodation & Facilities
The lodge is set slightly back from the sea and is nestled into the tropical forest, which borders the ruins of the old Chole Town. Chole Mjini’s six tree houses (and one ground house), embraced by baobabs, are wonderfully open and spacious, with large double beds, and offer fantastic views towards the ocean through the tree canopy. The open air bathrooms are separate from the bedrooms and are located on the ground a few metres walk away from the base of the tree house. Each has an outdoor bucket shower with an ingenious hot water system providing instant hot water and an odour free dry composting loo. Each of the tree houses are slightly different.
For families, three of the houses have an extra full size single bed with mosquito net on a level above the main bed area sleeping a maximum of three. For larger families, three of the houses can accommodate two extra single beds in a separate but connected space adjacent to the king-size bed sleeping a maximum of four. For safety reasons, families with children under three years need to be accommodated in the ground house.
The lodge has been very carefully designed with everything being crafted from local materials. The main area of the lodge comprises a dining area with a small roof terrace and a bar.
Eating & Sleeping
Guest can eat at the communal dining table or at their own private family table. Children and families can eat at different times to allow the parents to enjoy some adult evening time. Each day the guest relations manager will plan the preferred option for the evening. Food is Swahili infused – primarily seafood with lots of vegetable and rice although families can request their favourites i.e. pancakes, omelettes, chips etc. There is no formal childcare or babysitting although the night watchman monitors the houses at night and can act as a listening service for sleeping children.
Activities
Guests at Chole Mijini have a whole host of activities to choose from including to snorkelling and scuba diving trips to Chole Bay, nearby sandbars and islands, to see some of the best conserved coral reefs and marine life in East Africa. Sunset dhow trips, dhow sailing with a guide and village walks are also available. From Chole Mjini it is also possible to see turtles hatching (July through to November) and swim with whale sharks (December through to March).
Specifically for children……
The staff are very attentive and on hand to assist parents – for example helping them to carry kids on long walks to a turtle hatching nest, or on and off the boats. The water guides will swim with children who need support whilst snorkelling. Children need to be 12 years and above to dive. The island is very safe and children can explore the beach looking for shells and crabs whilst parents relax. Among activities on offer are:
• Boat trips.
• Snorkelling.
• Picnics to the sandbank are all family favourites.
