Chole Mjini

Chole Island is just off the coast of Mafia Island, belonging to an exotic archipelago south of Zanzibar. The seclusion of the island provides a back-to-basics eco-experience, with treehouses situated in baobab trees, surrounded by ancient ruins and tropical gardens. The location of this boutique hideaway also creates easy access to marine activities such as deep sea diving and swimming with whale sharks.

Chole Mjini consists of six treehouses found high up in the canopy of baobab trees and one ground-based room built by local craftsmen. Every treehouse has a different layout and is a distance away from the other to provide privacy and to give each guest a unique experience and close-up views of different parts of the island, from the sea to the mangroves which are enchanting when lit up by the fireflies at night. Each room has its own bathroom situated at ground level and uses long-drop toilets and gas-fired showers – facilities designed to protect the environment it is based in.

In-keeping with the barefoot vibe here, the food here is focused on freshly-caught fish and vegetables grown on the island. The Swahili influence in the preparation contributes towards rich and flavoursome food which can be enjoyed al fresco beneath a canopy of stars. Although the hotel tries to ensure complete disconnection from the outside world, guests can access Wi-Fi at the Red Herring Bar, which sits on the water’s edge and provides views out to Chole Bay, where dolphins and other sea life rove.

The hotel tries to encourage disconnection from the virtual world and keeps a well-stocked book exchange library.

With mangroves and a marine reserve on the doorstep, Chole Mjini is perfect for exploring the underwater world. Take a dhow trip out to a remote sandbar to snorkel in the coral reef, or try out deep sea diving to swim amongst giant grouper, barracuda and white-tipped reef shark. Fishing excursions can be arranged, boat trips will take you out to the hotspots for viewing whale sharks, and there’s also ancient ruins to be explored.