Butiama Beach is a tranquil retreat on the sandy shores of Mafia island. You can expect personal service, exceptional hospitality in a beautiful, tropical setting. Days are a combination of relaxation, spa treatments, or experiencing jaw dropping moments like swimming with whale sharks in crystal warm waters. Venture out snorkeling the coral reef gardens or learn to dive? Witness the miracle of turtles hatching. Butiama is also a safe and family friendly space, so bring the kids.
What’s your next adventure going to be?
Mafia Island and its surrounding archipelago have a great deal to offer as an unspoiled, little-visited alternative to other Indian Ocean locations around Zanzibar. It offers travelers a peaceful alternative in the tropics with turquoise waters, deserted beaches and sheltered bays. With a small population dependent on fishing, subsistence agriculture and some tourism, Mafia Island is mentioned as early as the 8th century, the island historically played a major role in ancient trade between East Asia and East Africa.
The warm waters around Mafia Island are home to an incredibly diverse marine life including tiny critters, rays, reef fish, turtles, grouper, wrasse and reef sharks. Visibility ranges from 25-30 metres and water temperature is 26°C on average. Divers and snorkelers are almost guaranteed whale shark encounters at the right time of the year. With nature unaffected by time, Mafia Island offers a beautiful, varied display of marine life and vibrant coral reefs, whilst being home to Tanzania’s first Marine Park, formed with the help of WWF in 1995.
Located on the west coast of Mafia, only a ten-minute drive from Mafia Airport, is Butiama Beach, a family owned and managed Lodge offering more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. A stay here is always personalized and service impeccable. Butiama is indeed a happy colorful place with shaded walkways lined with flowers under swaying palms. The Lodge is set on a beautiful sandy beach with easy access to the pristine Mafia Marine Park. Guests can even snorkel with Whale Sharks from the lodge beach in season (Oct-Feb). All the rooms have a unique colour scheme courtesy of the lovely kikoi’s, providing bright splashes of colour that contrast beautifully with the cool white bed linen and walls. Locally made coconut soaps are delicately fragrant and the rustic dhow furniture add to the real island atmosphere! The crystal pool and bar are a treat in the tropics, with a variety of cocktails, local and international beers. In the restaurant, menus are forever changing as Chef’s go in search of fresh local produce. Staff are helpful and the atmosphere is light and happy, with plenty of family activities to choose from. Zanzibar may have some competition, its way less commercial and more natural on Mafia Island!
From U$D950 per person
*Rate based 2 people sharing a Seaview room
Tanzania, Mafia island, Mafia Marine Conservation Area, Marimbani Sandbank
7 NIGHTS MAFIA ISLAND STAY 7, PAY 6
(7 days per person sharing)
