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Kinasi Lodge |
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KINASI is a small, private lodge situated in a coconut and cashew plantation facing Chole Bay on Mafia Island. It provides a high standard of accommodation in only lanteen bungalows (one is a family unit with two bedrooms), each with a large verandah and ensuite bathroom. The bungalows have been constructed in rendered concrete block, with palm-leaf (makuti) roofs, and concrete foundations and floors. There is all-day mains electricity and hot and cold water supply from three permanent wells on the property. Our rooms not air-conditioned but one cooled by fans and the large shutter doors and windows.
The intention has been to create a resort that is relaxing and stylish, with a very personal feel. KINASI is beautifully furnished with antiques and hand-crafted furniture, made for us to our own designs. The dining room is appointed with crockery and hand-blown glassware made specially for us and there are original works of art by East African artists.
Most of all there is tranquility and privacy in beautiful, natural surroundings, and our friendly staff will do their best to look after you with service to your rooms, morning tea and coffee with fresh biscuits and cakes, sundowners and cocktails, delicious food and attention to any requests you may have. KINASI started as a private home, and that is how we wish our guests to feel - as if they are in their own home. So enjoy Mafia and this little retreat we have created with all its activities, the swimming pool, gardens and beach, and the relaxed atmosphere and good company.
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South-east coast of Mafia Island at Utende, overlooking Chole Bay and the islands of Jibondo, Chole and Juani. Mafia is 160 km south of Zanzibar and the same distance east of the Selous.
Kinasi is located on a hillside, overlooking the south-western part of Chole Bay and the islands of Jibondo, Juani and Chole.
Mafia Island is 40 minutes from Dar es Salaam by light aircraft; one hour from Selous Game Reserve or Zanzibar by light aircraft.
The lodge is 15 km from the Mafia Airport on Mafia, which is located at Kilindoni, the only town on the island.
There are no regular boat or ferry services to Mafia.
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Furnishings: Kinasi has grown out of the goal of creating a lodge-home on Mafia that offers all the freedom of a personal holiday residence with the needs of paying guests.
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The room designs, furnishings and finishes are eclectic, combining elements of coastal Tanzania, African, Indian and Arab cultures into a historically accurate "Shirazi" style that is unique to Kinasi. For example we have borrowed from the 12th Century style of embedding fine ceramic bowls and dishes in the walls of houses and mosques, first seen in Kilwa.
We have also collected on Mafia old furniture and bric a brac and restored these items to furnish Kinasi, to prevent these leaving the island, as they are part of its mixed historical heritage.
Stunning materials from Spain (of Moroccon origin and design) have been used to refurbish the rooms and we have made all our own furniture and fittings to suit the needs and practicalities of being on the seashore - the damage of salt air, rain, wind and sun and the casualness of the lifestyle.
We do all our own building and extensions and keep adding new ideas and touches all the time. |
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Cottages : Accommodation at Kinasi is provided in separate cottages that are widely spaced for total privacy.
We are able to accommodate 28 guests as follows:
- a suite with upstairs bedroom, air conditioning, stereo, mini-bar and lounge, verandahs and terraces
- a family bungalow with two bedrooms sharing a bathroom (also suitable for triple or two singles)
- eight cottages with very large double beds
- ten cottages with large single beds (twin/double, as beds can be moved together)
All cottages are ensuite with hot water and have ample hanging space, a desk and chair, verandah chairs and table, double chaise (for full relaxation), full-length mirror, ceiling fan for cool air and power outlets in the bathroom for hair dryers and electric shavers. The cottages have walk-in mosquito nets that cover the beds completely, and have been designed for through-ventilation and coolness in all seasons.
Rooms : This is a short description of what you will also find in your room:
Safe drinking water is provided in the thermos on your table; do not drink the tap water although it is from our own wells. All the water and ice in the bar and dining room is safe to drink as it has been treated by chlorination and Katadyne filters.
The main switch for the shower hot water heater is to the right side of your mirror; put it on when you want to have a shower and please switch it off afterwards. The hot water comes on automatically when you switch on the single tap in the shower, and temperature is regulated by the dial on the top of the shower heater.
The fan switch is conveniently placed behind your bed and can be controlled from within the net.
The room staff will remove the bed cover and set your mosquito net in the early evening, and put on your bedside light. They may also light a mosquito coil which we ask you not to put anywhere near your net. When retiring to bed make sure the velcro tabs on your net are in place, to hold it securely closed.
There is a laundry bag in the bathroom for your clothes. In the bathroom you will also find two beach towels for your use on boats, beach or at the swimming pool (rather than the room towels). Just hang wet clothes, beach towels, etc. over the verandah railing to dry in the evening. Hang wetsuits under the side eaves to avoid direct sunlight.
Next to the toilet there is a small bucket receptacle for sanitary towels and similar non-biodegradable disposables. Please use it as our septic system is designed to pump all sewage to soakaways (for environmental reasons) and will be blocked by these items if flushed down the toilet.
In bad weather the blinds on your verandah will be let down by the staff; this may happen at night so do not be alarmed if you hear them at work. |
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The most important feature of Kinasi is that it is your home while you are with us. That, we believe, is the feeling we impart to all our guests. The atmosphere is informal and homely, intentionally unpretentious. We have beautiful antiques, fabrics and rugs as Kinasi is our pride and home to its owners. Our intention is that you should feel and act as if you are at home and have fun while we pamper you, so please feel and do so….just let us know if there is anything you need.
Some information to assist you to settle in……
Electricity :
Lighting is mains electricity with 24-hour service, 220-240V, 50 cycle (three-pin square plugs)
Water :
Water is provided from our own wells and is chlorinated and filtered automatically; safe drinking water is provided in all rooms in cold thermos jugs Lounge, Bar and Dining The Cocktail Bar will open at 1630 hrs when afternoon tea is served. There is an excellent selection of classic alcoholic cocktails and our own refreshing fruit cocktails.
We suggest you kick off your shoes and relax in bare feet during the day for greatest comfort, but make sure you wear socks and trousers or similar at night to prevent mosquito bites. Various games are available and there are two full cabinets of technical reference books and novels and magazines. Visitors may take away a novel from our stock but we request you to leave us one in exchange.
The Kinasi library has detailed information on birds, butterflies, animals, shells, anthropology and history, as well as a superb collection of texts on underwater life.
We also have a video and satellite television. Each week we will present slide shows in the evenings.
There is an extensive collection of tapes and CDs; if you have any preferences please make a selection.
There is a toilet close to the bar so that guests do not have to return to their rooms.
Pool Bar and Grill :
A separate Pool Bar and Grill serves the swimming pool, beach and is the location for buffet luncheon from 1000 to 1630 hrs each day and for afternoon tea from 1600 hrs.
We also have many dinners here by starlight. We recently completed construction of a new barbecue area with pizza oven. An extension of the swimming pool deck allows up to 30 people to be seated in comfort at hand-made mosaic tables. There is a full bar and and a host of great food to choose from, oven cooked or grilled.
Swimming Pool :
Kinasi has a 12.5 metre swimming pool that is a focal point of the gardens, which are landsacepd around the natural slopes and valley in which the pool is situated. We dug the entire site by hand and poured all the concrete manually - a massive undertaking without a concrete mixer !
The Pavilion :
The pavilion is the reception area of Kinasi and has leather furniture, our activities desk, books and games. We are also able to provide mini-conference facilities here. Flip charts, large-screen video, overhead and slide projectors are available. The pavilion also houses antique wood billiard table and is the main games area for those who wish to while away some time with chess, drafts, monopoly, bao, etc.
Please Click here for more information |
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