I enjoyed every single moment on Mafia Island's Pole Pole Lodge. Robyn, the utmost friendly and attentive hoste (manager) of the premises, does a marvelous job of letting you feel comfortably pampered and welcomed. The staff is equally joyful and kind and fulfilling every wish, before it's even spoken. The prepared food is of such delicious quality, that I felt tempted every day to leave a clear plate and I assume the cook to be paid upon the amount of weight gained by his guests.
Great benefits: Outside daybed on privat patio (I fell more than once asleep, while gazing at the stars), Coffee/tea in your room before breakfast, very private beach set between lovely mangroves, quiet and highly private premises (only 7 bungalows), private boat trip activities, delicious sea food (best fresh shrimps I've ever eaten!)
Review published by Trip Advisor

Offenbar verbringen die meisten Gäste ein paar Tage oder eine knappe Woche auf Mafia, in der Regel im Anschluss an eine Safari. Wir hatten die Freude, uns zwei ganze Wochen rundum verwöhnen zu lassen. Wer Ruhe, Entspannung, eine wunderbare Gastfreundschaft und Gaumengenüsse sucht, ist hier genau richtig. Pole pole ist aber sicher nichts für Gruppenreisen oder Action-Suchende. Hierhin kommt man am besten mit dem/der Liebsten, einem guten Buch und der Lust, den Gezeiten zuzusehen. Angeblich gibt es in einem Hotel in der Nähe einen Fernseher in der Bar - weiss nicht, ob das stimmt, habe ihn nie gesehen oder vermisst. Wirklich empfehlenswert ist auch das Tauchen. Die einmalige Topographie der Bucht (geschützter mariner Nationalpark) ermöglicht einen ganz speziellen Lebensraum. Die Tauchgänge sind allesamt nicht sehr tief, aber die Fauna wunderbar artenreich und vielfältig. Genial waren die Drift-Dives bei einlaufender Flut- wortwörtlich durch Schulen hunderter Barrakudas. Auch das Waleshark-Watching ist durchaus zu empfehlen, offenbar in der Wintersaison praktisch garantierte Begegnungen, so auch bei uns. Die Freundlichkeit der Bevölkerung von Mafia trotz -oder wegen- den einfachen Lebensumständen haben uns sehr berührt und so sehnen wir uns an kalten Wintertagen nach dieser Insel und dem wunderbaren Pole pole zurück.
Review published by Trip Advisor

After the mad rush of the Christmas season, we arrived to Pole Pole for a new year's rest and rejuvenation in the quiet of a secluded resort under the tropical sun. The relaxed and friendly nature of the ever sunny Robyn our host ensured our needs were met, Each meal was a culinary delight, a combination of local food with an Italian touch with seafood the highlight. Nothing pretentious, just perfect the combination to make you feel at ease, much like the resort itself. Thatched bungalow, with a view east to the rising sun, and nestled in a cove, away from the strong winds that hit the neighbouring resort, it was easy on the eyes and comfortable all around. Excursions planned each night, and all a delight, sailing to picnics on the sandbanks, scuba diving through colourful coral reefs, and snorkeling with impressive whale sharks. We were fortunate to have had perfect weather, but even if the rain had poured Pole Pole lived up to our expectations and we left ready for 2012.
Review published by Trip Advisor

After two weeks of thrilling fotosafari in West- and South-Tanzania, we spent a very relaxing holiday-week in the Pole Pole Resort. We estimated specially the quiet athmosphere, the excellent kitchen and the kind and very friendly service of the personnal and the management. We enjoyed also the individually offered excursions and we will never forget the snorkelling trip to the whalesharks. We can warmly recommend the Pole Pole to any guest who enjoys and outstanding holiday in a natural surrounding (Mafia Island Marine Park).
Review published by Trip Advisor

Pole Pole provides the perfect place to relax after a week of Safari. We were very happy we chose Mafia Island over Zanzibar. Bungalows at pole pole were very good, with gorgeous surroundings and above all fantastic food. This was - without a doubt - the best food we had in Tanzania.
We didn't go diving, but still preferred our stay on this side of the island - the beach and water at Pole Pole were fantastic. Even without diving there are several great excursions, we went to the sand bank and did a sundown cruise (both of them highly recommended). Robyn took care of everything and was a great host. We'll no doubt return to pole pole in the next years!
Review published by Trip Advisor