Chole Mjini,Zanzibar,Indian Ocean,Diving,Eco friendly

On a tiny island off Mafia, lies a Robinson Crusoe camp that is truly remarkable - a handful of treehouses, with four-poster beds, supported by ancient Baobabs amid the Shirazi and Omani ruins and tropical vegetation of old, forgotten Swahili.

Chole is a truly remarkable place - in complete harmony with both the natural environment and the local people - at the centre of the Mafia marine park, in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Days are filled with walking, sailing, diving and exploring the towns and villages of the island. Completely off the tourist track and quite unique, Chole Mjini appeals to all who love such quirky, non-commercial brilliance. Partly owned by the local community, this is real eco-tourism in action and the efforts of the lodge owners’ projects have so far provided a medical centre, school and kindergarten so that every guest leaves, knowing that their visit has materially benefited the local community.

After flying in to the airstrip at Kilondoni and a bumpy jeep ride across Mafia, a few honks of the horn calls a dhow that sails you across to Chole. The landing on Chole is a ruined piazza of a once prosperous Omani city, into which the lush palms, baobabs and mangroves have encroached in pure ‘lost city’ style - all over the island are ruins reminiscent of the days when Chole was the powerful trading centre between the Kilwa and Zanzibari Sultanates. From here, a winding, sandy path leads through the forest and ultimately to a glade of magnificent baobab trees - a place of dappled sunlight and birdsong - where Chole Mjini is suspended in the canopy.

Six magnificent treehouses and a luxurious terrestrial suite are set amongst the baobabs and oriented to catch the sea breezes. Rugged adventure tempered with casual luxury, each house, high in the canopy has at least one double bed made with Egyptian cotton, a shower and loo and the ‘Groundhouse’ has a sunken Persian bath, in addition. No electricity adds to the natural charm although one can still expect ice-cold drinks and there is a battery charging facility. Meals are taken overlooking the small harbour - seafood, fruit and vegetables - and the bar is upstairs with sweeping views of Chole Bay below which a lounge, full of games, magazines and reference books is the perfect place to relax.

Jean de Villiers has been involved in conservation on Mafia longer than anyone. Days here are full of Scuba diving, fishing, dhow sailing and bird watching - cultural visits to the villages and strolls around Chole - the evenings are wonderfully relaxing, the only worry is preventing the bush babies from eating your soap!