This Africa hotel is located on the south-east coast of Mafia Island at Utende, overlooking Chole Bay and the islands of Jibondo and Juani. Mafia Island is 160 kilometres south of Zanzibar and the same distance east of the Selous. Looking out from Kinasi you will see Chole Island, with Juani Island behind (separated by a narrow channel that is not visible), and Jibondo Island in the distance, to the right of Juani.
Chole Bay and the outer reefs from Kifinge (Forbes Bay) in the north-east to Kitutia in the south and Ras Kisimani and Bwejuu Island in the west are encompassed by the Mafia Island Marine Park. The beach at Kinasi is tidal so check the tide tables in the Cocktail Bar for best swimming times. Swimming is possible at all times at Utende Beach, about 400 metres from Kinasi along the foreshore.
A private runway provides immediate access by light aircraft and guests will also be able to travel between Kinasi and Lua Cheia with the motorised dhow, 'Ilha da Maf'ya'. The north of Mafia Island has very different terrain and vegetation to that in the south, so Lua Cheia and Kinasi together provide the ultimate island experience.
Mafia Island is 40 minutes from Dar es Salaam by light aircraft and one hour from Selous Game Reserve or Zanzibar. The lodge is 15 kilometres from the Mafia Airport on Mafia Island, which is located at Kilindoni, the only town on the island. There are no regular boat or ferry services to Mafia Island.
Kinasi is closed at the end of March until 1st June each year during the 'long rains'. The visitor seasons can generally be classified by the wet or dry periods and monsoons: June is cool and dry, July is cool but windy (south-easterly monsoon, the Kusi, which sometimes extends into August).
August to October is a cool, dry season with pleasant temperatures and usually excellent weather, November Short rains (unreliable). December to March is the hot season, mainly dry with some showers and increasing humidity (north-easterly monsoon, the Kaskazi) and April to May, long rains with little wind and heavy downpour.
Please note:
There is a luggage restriction of 15 kilograms in a soft bag on all domestic flights. Any extra luggage can be sent to you on the next available flight.
