Reviews of Pole Pole
Wildlife sightings and reviews
103 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Pole Pole and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mrs V & Mr H
Greece
"Great location, a little tired"
4 nights Arrived 13 Jan 2014
"We were a little disappointed by Mafia and Pole Pole. feel that maybe new management is struggling, and also that the place needs some TLC to bring it up to scratch.
The excursions were very good, our guide Sadike was excellent and very friendly. Generally felt that staff were very shy at communicating, and that the island was very overrated. The enclosure of the Marine park and daily entrance fee made it feel like an us and them situation." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
The excursions were very good, our guide Sadike was excellent and very friendly. Generally felt that staff were very shy at communicating, and that the island was very overrated. The enclosure of the Marine park and daily entrance fee made it feel like an us and them situation." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Feedback Response
Expert Africa forwarded these travellers' feedback to Pole Pole, who thanked them for their feedback.
They are sorry to hear that these travellers felt that the management was struggling. The new manager has been in place for three months, and has received only positive feedback up to this point. Any management change here is done under close supervision and regular monitoring. No maintenance issue was reported during these travellers' stay and so without further clarification as to what the issues were here, it is difficult to comment further on this.
Pole Pole assures us that the vast majority of their feedback tells them that their staff is friendly and helpful. Sometimes the discrete Swahili way, which many find charming, may come across as shy.
Mafia Marine Park is not fenced or distinctively separated from the rest of the island. Pole Pole considers it a privilege to be inside the protected Marine Park, which makes Mafia a great diving destination.
Pole Pole are sorry that they didn't meet these travellers' expectations, and are never happy that clients go away less than satisfied, no matter the reason why.
They are sorry to hear that these travellers felt that the management was struggling. The new manager has been in place for three months, and has received only positive feedback up to this point. Any management change here is done under close supervision and regular monitoring. No maintenance issue was reported during these travellers' stay and so without further clarification as to what the issues were here, it is difficult to comment further on this.
Pole Pole assures us that the vast majority of their feedback tells them that their staff is friendly and helpful. Sometimes the discrete Swahili way, which many find charming, may come across as shy.
Mafia Marine Park is not fenced or distinctively separated from the rest of the island. Pole Pole considers it a privilege to be inside the protected Marine Park, which makes Mafia a great diving destination.
Pole Pole are sorry that they didn't meet these travellers' expectations, and are never happy that clients go away less than satisfied, no matter the reason why.
The T-R family
London
"Pole Pole review"
5 nights Arrived 3 Jan 2014
"We enjoyed our stay at Pole Pole which was very relaxing. The current manageress had only been in charge for two months .
The food was little disappointing as only fish was served, however they were happy to find alternatives when asked.
I was ill during our visit and the manageress was extremely helpful and sympathetic. I think to make full use of this Island you need to be interested in diving to make best use of the marine park , some of the other activities were quite expensive." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
The food was little disappointing as only fish was served, however they were happy to find alternatives when asked.
I was ill during our visit and the manageress was extremely helpful and sympathetic. I think to make full use of this Island you need to be interested in diving to make best use of the marine park , some of the other activities were quite expensive." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
Leeds
"Pole Pole review"
3 nights Arrived 31 Dec 2013
"Pole Pole meaning Slowly slowly was exactly what it was like relaxing and everything you needed to hand and easily organised. Was very impressed with the trips offered and the area. Would highly recommend the personalised service recieved. Very quiet almost flet like you had the whole area to yourself.
A short walk when it was low tide to meet with the boat/ dive shop. Just need to be aware if booking trips/ dives to ask and make sure lunch/meals have plenty of time - ask in advance." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
A short walk when it was low tide to meet with the boat/ dive shop. Just need to be aware if booking trips/ dives to ask and make sure lunch/meals have plenty of time - ask in advance." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Bristol
"Pole Pole : beyond brilliant!"
5 nights Arrived 30 Dec 2013
"6 days at Pole Pole over New Year 2014. The best way ever to bring in a New Year. Wonderful new year party arranged on the beach brought the new year in in memorable style.
Superb food. Local fresh fish with every meal and they catered for my non fish eating son seamlessly.
Superb complementary outings arranged daily i.e snorkelling +/- picnic lunch / sunset dhow rides.
Next door is an excellent diving operation 'Mafia Island diving'. They recognized our names from our trip in 2013, and so kept places assuming we were still keen ++ divers. We had not pre-booked so without this we would have had problems as the season was so busy. Typical of the detail that they look after us with.
We went on a Whale Shark snorkeling trip with Kitue Kiblu as advised by Mafia Diving. It was a totally professional organization so well worth paying the extra over the local guides. The experience was truly awesome. They are magnificent creatures and the contact was long and detailed even though we felt like Jonah for much of the time!
This experience was 100 USD per person, and they only take cash, so it would have been helpful to budget for this before departure. Fortunately Pole Pole accepts tips in Sterling otherwise we would have had a cash crisis. All other add-on's use Visa cards." See all these reviews: 5n in Tanzania
Superb food. Local fresh fish with every meal and they catered for my non fish eating son seamlessly.
Superb complementary outings arranged daily i.e snorkelling +/- picnic lunch / sunset dhow rides.
Next door is an excellent diving operation 'Mafia Island diving'. They recognized our names from our trip in 2013, and so kept places assuming we were still keen ++ divers. We had not pre-booked so without this we would have had problems as the season was so busy. Typical of the detail that they look after us with.
We went on a Whale Shark snorkeling trip with Kitue Kiblu as advised by Mafia Diving. It was a totally professional organization so well worth paying the extra over the local guides. The experience was truly awesome. They are magnificent creatures and the contact was long and detailed even though we felt like Jonah for much of the time!
This experience was 100 USD per person, and they only take cash, so it would have been helpful to budget for this before departure. Fortunately Pole Pole accepts tips in Sterling otherwise we would have had a cash crisis. All other add-on's use Visa cards." See all these reviews: 5n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Godalming
"Pole Pole review"
6 nights Arrived 24 Sep 2013
"We had a pleasant six days rest and relaxation here. Sara was a good host.
Service and food were excellent and the banda was well laid out and equipped.
The activities were OK for filling out the days, but not particularly exciting." See all these reviews: 19n in Tanzania; 2n in Zanzibar
Service and food were excellent and the banda was well laid out and equipped.
The activities were OK for filling out the days, but not particularly exciting." See all these reviews: 19n in Tanzania; 2n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Hampshire
"very friendly"
4 nights Arrived 20 Sep 2013
"Pole pole was great. The staff so helpful and always smiling. All did their best to improve my Swahali speaking skills! The chef went out of her way to cook alternatives for me as, for example, I eat no shellfish except prawns. It was never forgotten and the alternatives were unfailingly delicious. The daily complimentary excursions were very good - in particular the dow trip to a reef where we snorkelled then on to a sandbank where were given fish grilled on the beach while we lazed in the sun
The one problem we had was with the beach. The tides were dramatic. At high tide there was no beach and at low tide the water so far out swimming was not possible. Also the current was strong as the tide was going out and,again, we could not swim. We were disappointed as we had not had a good experience in Zanzibar (razor sharp rocks by the shoreline making it impossible to enter the water) and expressly asked for a location where we could lie on the beech and swim in the sea.
This should not realky be marketed as a beech holiday (the photo in your brouchure is misleading). Fortunately there was a lovely swimming pool and that is where we spent much of out time quite hapily. The spa was a welcome luxury." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
The one problem we had was with the beach. The tides were dramatic. At high tide there was no beach and at low tide the water so far out swimming was not possible. Also the current was strong as the tide was going out and,again, we could not swim. We were disappointed as we had not had a good experience in Zanzibar (razor sharp rocks by the shoreline making it impossible to enter the water) and expressly asked for a location where we could lie on the beech and swim in the sea.
This should not realky be marketed as a beech holiday (the photo in your brouchure is misleading). Fortunately there was a lovely swimming pool and that is where we spent much of out time quite hapily. The spa was a welcome luxury." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Average
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Average
Feedback Response
We are delighted that these travellers enjoyed Pole Pole generally and especially the pool and the spa.
However, we were concerned about their beach comments. As with all beach places in Mafia and Zanzibar, the tides do affect the beach and the options for swimming. Pole Pole has a better beach than many other Mafia lodges, with a significant area of soft sand, and fewer mangroves than elsewhere. Swimming from Pole Pole's beach is possible during high tides, while at low tide the lodge also offers excursions to exposed sand bank islands (which these travellers enjoyed) large beaches where you can always swim. These daily trips are included in the rates.
That said, Mafia's beaches aren't like Zanzibar's. We always try to discuss this with our travellers; were sorry if we didn't emphasise the differences enough.
We've assured these travellers that the picture of Pole Pole in our brochure was like every single other picture in our brochure taken by one of our team when they visited the lodge, and it hasn't been edited in any way.
However, we were concerned about their beach comments. As with all beach places in Mafia and Zanzibar, the tides do affect the beach and the options for swimming. Pole Pole has a better beach than many other Mafia lodges, with a significant area of soft sand, and fewer mangroves than elsewhere. Swimming from Pole Pole's beach is possible during high tides, while at low tide the lodge also offers excursions to exposed sand bank islands (which these travellers enjoyed) large beaches where you can always swim. These daily trips are included in the rates.
That said, Mafia's beaches aren't like Zanzibar's. We always try to discuss this with our travellers; were sorry if we didn't emphasise the differences enough.
We've assured these travellers that the picture of Pole Pole in our brochure was like every single other picture in our brochure taken by one of our team when they visited the lodge, and it hasn't been edited in any way.
Mr & Mrs C
NL
"relaxing Pole Pole"
4 nights Arrived 14 Aug 2013
"supposed to have been a bit more relaxing after 2 safaris but it wasn't - dive centre a 5 minute walk away."
See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 2n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
M family
Weybridge
"Beach esclusive life"
3 nights Arrived 4 Aug 2013
"The lodge is very small, with lots of space, very welll maintained. Beautfiul view from the rooms.
High quality rooms, with plenty of attention to details.
Maybe the lodge is even too quiet." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
High quality rooms, with plenty of attention to details.
Maybe the lodge is even too quiet." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs D
Stamford
"Pole Pole review"
4 nights Arrived 24 Jan 2013
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Family T
London
"Paradise in Pole Pole"
3 nights Arrived 2 Jan 2013
"This was the ideal end to our safari holiday.
Woderful beach side location, very comfortable bungalow, outstanding food, fabulous staff.
Our swimming with whale sharks was a memorable experience." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Woderful beach side location, very comfortable bungalow, outstanding food, fabulous staff.
Our swimming with whale sharks was a memorable experience." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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Other lodges in Mafia Island
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Chole Mjini
Chole Mjini is one of Tanzania's most environmentally aware lodges. With tree-houses, superb diving and a fantastic location on the rural island of Chole, this is ideal if you want to get back to nature.
Butiama Beach
Situated just west of Kilondoni, the main town on Mafia, Butiama Beach is a simple beach lodge with friendly managers and a laid back vibe.
Kinasi Lodge
Kinasi is a small, personal beach lodge on Mafia Island that has the features of a larger hotel, including a large pool and spa.
Shamba Kilole
Shamba Kilole is a charming Italian-owned eco-lodge on the coast of Mafia Island, with simple rooms and friendly owner-managers.
Thanda Island
Thanda Island is a high-end private island destination that caters to just one group of travellers at a time.
