Whale Shark Lodge
Mafia Island - Tanzania
Whale Sharks
The Gentle Giants.
Blue skies anyone?
Things to do
Sailing, Diving, whale shark watching, snorkeling etc. etc.
Whale Shark Lodge, the sunset lodge, is a backpacker friendly place. Situated on top of a cliff, overlooking the prime whale-shark viewing area. Enjoy an ice-cold Kilimanjaro or Serengeti beer, and see the gentle giants of the deep going about their business of eating plankton.
Your host, Carlos offers you the option of staying in one of 5 bandas(thatched-roof huts) or pitch a tent. (Your own or borrow one from the lodge(free)).
1 Room = en-suite (running water soon). 4 rooms = Communial showers and toilets
- Come and experience real Mafia hospitality and really cold beers!
The Airport - Whale Shark Lodge
The experience starts here, just look out for our sign at the airport. (As you exit the airport, you'll be following the road along the airport towards the right. About 1.5km to the lodge(ask directions from anyone along the way), or Tsh4,000 by taxi.
If Carlos is around, you can get a free transfer to the lodge. Mafia Island is safe to walk around on. By car it will be about 5minutes/3km
Tropical Aviation and Coastal Aviation both fly to Mafia Island, just check the times, as the 1 is in the morning and the other in the afternoon (good for connecting flights).
In Mafia you can contact them at the airport and in Dar Es Salaam at Terminal 1 or in town.
Talk to Carlos about all your flight needs. You can even pay by Credit Card on the island (They send your card to Dar to be processed - So 2 days is needed for the process).
The Ferry to Kilindoni
There is a daily ferry from the mainland. As this is Africa, always confirm the time/date/price first. (There is the Swahili time, which is 6 hours ahead of English time. So make sure that when you book that boarding time of 06H00 in the morning is not actually 00H00 in the morning).
The Feb 2009 price is Tsh8,500 for a one-way trip. And you'll arrive at the harbour in Kilindoni(town on Mafia Island). You'll leave on the mainland from Nyamisati.
Contact
Your Host: Carlos
Some of the team at the lodge - pic on the right
Landline: +255 2320 10201
Cell: +255 (0)755 696067
Whale Shark Lodge
Kilindoni
Mafia Island
Tanzania
Email: info@Whale-Shark-Lodge.co.cc
(Carlos is very good at answering his Cellular phone so if you need to get hold of him, this will be the quickest way - sms or voice).
Rates
From -
US$20 - Single B&B (Bed & Breakfast)
(Only about 26,000 Tanzanian Shillings per person)
US$40 - Double B&B
US$7 - Camping - Bring your own tent(breakfast not included)
US$7 - Use our tents(Breakfast US$3)
We accept US$ and Tsh(Tanzania Shillings)
Cash can be exchanged at the Airport or at the NMB(National MicroFinance Bank) - NO Credit Cards and NO Travellers cheques accepted on Mafia Island