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Pole Pole Bungalows

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Unique local cuisine
- In famous Marine park
- On-beach accommodation

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Overview

Hidden among the palms of the remote Mafia Island, Pole Pole is a great place for those in search of a private, luxurious, and relaxing beachside experience. Well suited for snorkelling and diving, Pole Pole’s superb water-based activities compensate for its lack of in-land activities.

Guest accommodation consists of seven thatched bungalows on raised platforms overlooking the sea. The bungalows are spacious and luxurious, each with a private veranda and en-suite bathroom. A day bed allows guests to slumber in the shade or the sun just outside. There is a communal garden with a pool.

Water-based activities at Pole Pole are excellent. This comes as no surprise given the fact that it is located next to one of the best diving areas in Africa, Mafia Marine Park. Guests can explore the famous marine life around Chloe Bay: expect to spot barracuda, angelfish, parrotfish, wrasse, butterfly fish, stingrays, and whale sharks. The hotel has its own sailing boat that guests can use to explore the island before picnicking under a canopy along the coast. Other activities include spa on the beach or in accommodation, bird watching, or exploring nearby areas such as the blue lagoon, local villages, or the lighthouse on the island’s northern tip.

Food at Pole Pole is great and really captures the hotel’s cross-cultural appeal. In the thatched restaurant, guests are served food that fuses African with Italian-style cuisine using fresh and local ingredients. Creating a tight-knit community, the service here is first class and friendly. Requests and allergies are happily accommodated for.

Children aged 10 and above are welcome and children between the ages of 10 and 12 pay half price. Two bungalows accommodate families with one large bed and twin beds. However, there are no provisions for children or families, which means this hotel is suitable primarily for adults looking to relax. After all, ‘pole pole’ in Swahili means ‘take it easy’.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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