Manta Reef has a relaxed feel with a thatched lodge consisting of a
reception area, lounge bar and dining room, and separate timber
guest cabins built on stilts on the hill – all overlooking the
water. Further, down on the beachfront you will find the dive centre
and beach bar. This is the spot to laze on a hammock or sun bed
between dives.
Talking about diving, this is one of the best spots for it (as well
as deep-sea fishing). There is access to diving on both sides of the
island where you can marvel at some of the best reefs in East Africa
from land or live-aboard.
The deep waters of the Pemba channel
provide fantastic wall dives with sightings of turtles, whales and
sharks, as well as interesting sections of coral in the lagoons.
Besides the dives around the lodge, you can explore the reefs around
the outer islands.
You can also book a trip to Mesali Island, a
small outcrop of coral rag rock which is a marine reserve. Besides
great diving (with a large diversity of fish and coral species and
possible sightings of green and hawksbill turtles), you can follow
one of the nature trails to look for the endangered flying foxes,
coconut crabs and a rare subspecies of the vervet monkey. Rumour has
it this island was the hideaway of the legendary pirate Captain
Kidd.
Not a diver? You can still enjoy the underwater world with a snorkel
and fins by swimming off the main beach. There is excellent
snorkelling at Mesali Island and Njao Gap. You can also go sailing
with a local fisherman in a ngalawa (wooden outrigger canoe), try
your hand at deep-sea fishing or simply pack a picnic and head for a
deserted sandbank on which to sunbathe in the ocean.
If you want to
stay on terrafirma, a guided walk to explore the forests, mangrove
swamps and villages of Pemba is highly recommended (especially if
you want to spot rare birds and wildlife).
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Manta Reef was one of the first lodges to appear on the island and
still remains delightfully off the beaten track and deserted,
without a hint of another development for miles around. It is by no
means an upmarket lodge, some may even consider it a bit rough
around the edges, but if you are not too particular, you’re bound to
relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Manta is a great place for adventure
travellers.
The drive from the airport to the lodge takes you through
traditional villages and the Ngesi Forest, one of the few remaining
indigenous forests on Pemba.
After you have passed the forest, do
not be alarmed by the rather scruffy stretch of dirt road, which
includes a neglected rubber plant, rugged patches of scrub and crops
and barbed wire. All will be forgotten once you arrive at the lodge
and feast your eyes on that incredible beach.
Rooms:
There are 14 spacious (they’re enormous) timber cabins which are set
on stilts. There are other 11 rooms at the front of the property
which are all similar and proceed equally.
The front section of the
rooms is open, providing awesome views of the ocean and allowing the
breeze to flow in on those hot tropical island days. It is an
immense relief, especially on humid nights.
The decor is rather plain and simple, but the rooms are very
comfortable. They gave the convenience of en-suite bathrooms with
hot water (a real treat in such a remote location) and mosquito
nets. Room service is even available on special request.
There are also 4 rooms at the back of the property, which are
suitable for families as they consist of 2 blocks of 2 rooms with
interconnecting doors. However, these rooms are not as attractive as
the front rooms as they don’t have a view.
Dining:
Meals are varied and generous with fresh fruits and vegetables
sourced locally, as well as fish and other seafood.
Typically, a full English breakfast is served with fruit, crepes,
toast, jams and juice. If breakfast in bed on a paradise island
sounds good (it did to us), you can ask for it to be delivered to
your room. Lunch consists salads, vegetables, a main dish and fruit
for dessert.
A buffet meal is provided in the evenings, usually with
soup, salads, vegetables, seafood (often fish, crab, calamari and
prawns), chicken and pasta or rice. A cake is baked daily for
dessert.
There are no other restaurants in this area, so your rate includes
all meals at the lodge (with extra charges for lobsters or giant
prawns). Please let us know of any special diets well in advance.
Manta Reef Lodge is situated along a beach called Panga ya Watoro on
the Kigomasha Peninsula (also called Ras Kigomasha) in northern
Pemba. It’s a two-hour drive from Pemba airport, situated near Chake
Chake.
General facilities:
A restaurant and bar
Television lounge
Entertainment area with table tennis and a pool table.
Full PADI-affiliated dive centre and snorkelling equipment.
Room facilities:
En-suite bathroom.
Open-plan construction to allow breeze in (no air-conditioners)
Twin or double beds
Mosquito nets
Activities:
There’s great diving, snorkelling and deep-sea fishing
Explore the Ngesi Forest (look out for the occasional alighting of
the endemic Pemba flying fox, marsh mongoose, Pemba vervet monkey,
blue duskier, Java civet cat and red colossus monkey).
Go sailing in a traditional outrigger canoe with a local
fisherman.
Spend the day marooned on a deserted sandbank.
Services:
Room service
Laundry service.
Mafia Island
Pole Pole Lodge is set on tropical gardens overlooking the
beach in the Chole Beach Area. Massimo Lancellotti must take pride
in what he has developed over the last few years, an idyllic retreat
way off the beaten track. Pole Pole is the Swahili for “slowly
slowly” or “take it easy”, this is the perfect place to slow down.
Accommodation – There are 5 “luxury” bungalows and 4 smaller
“sensation” bungalows closer to the beach. They are built on stilts,
of local timber, and thatched roofs with showers, toilets and each
has a veranda with views over the ocean. The bungalows provide very
comfortable accommodation, though furniture is locally made, bedding
and linen has been imported from Italy.
Facilities – There is a PADI dive centre and excursions are arranged
to nearby islets as well as to Mafia Island Marine Park (entry fee
is payable). The restaurant serves inspired meals with an Italian
touch as well as Swahili meals.
Chole Mjini was developed by Jean and Ann de Villiers who
have established the lodge with the prime intention of using money
earned to help the local Chole Mjini people. The lodge is truly
eco-sensitive, built by local people using local materials. The
lodge has helped to establish a school and medical centre on the
island.
Location – On the island of Chole Mjini just off Mafia Island and in
Mafia Island Marine Park, so US$ 20.00 per person per day has to be
paid on arrival at the Park.
Accommodation – Most of the 7”rooms” are actually tree houses, built
partially on stilts. Most of the rooms have private bathrooms (with
long drop toilets and ingeniously heated water for the shower) and
balconies.
Facilities – Facilities are limited. This is not really a beach
location, but snorkelling on the Main Park is excellent. Jean is a
qualified PADI diver and will assist others to learn. There is a
restaurant and bar area, the meals being primarily seafood
Important:
• Please note All the rates subject to alteration. Please reconfirm
on booking.
• Almost all the hotels have different room categories, will advice
you at the time of booking.
• Children sharing in an extra bed with adults will be charged half
the price in most hotels.
*See other
relevant general
information on your Kenya tour.
Nairobi
hotels
Mombasa Kenya
Safaris in Kenya.
List of budget camping safaris in Kenya
Africa safaris.
Accommodation in Kenya
The masai mara
Other Kenya safaris
Diani beach Kenya
Lamu island Kenya
Malindi beach Kenya
Watamu beach Kenya
Mount
Kenya climbing
Kenya car
hire |
