Basecamp Mafia Island
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Booking by Tour Leader Club
5 room types · Kinasi Pass, Dindini Wall, The Pinnacle, Coral Gardens and other park sites dive sites · house reef
Basecamp is the largest resort on Mafia Island and still an intimate one: 27 rooms on Utende Beach, inside the marine park. It belongs to the Basecamp network of eco-resorts, and the whole build follows from that — local materials, local suppliers, local staff.
Rooms come in two lines. Superior — thirteen fully renovated rooms of forty square metres, with a full-height glass door onto the balcony, two basins, two showers, a mini fridge, air conditioning and a ceiling fan. Four of them are Ghuba family rooms with a separate little room with bunk beds for children. Standard — fourteen simpler rooms with a balcony and a view of either the ocean or the garden.
The resort runs its own PADI dive club (number 30658) on site. The reefs are a ten-minute boat ride away, and the trips go out on traditional dhows — with the sail up on the way back when the wind allows. Almost all the diving here is shallower than thirty metres. The club sells ready-made packages of so many nights plus so many dives, including Open Water and Advanced courses.
The second reason to come is birds. The island has 246 recorded species, nine of them globally threatened; up to a thousand crab-plovers winter in Chole Bay, one of the most important non-breeding sites on the planet. The resort runs its own birding programme with a local naturalist and two ready-made packages of four and seven nights.
On site: a freshwater pool overlooking the ocean, a spa, a beach bar, a restaurant serving Tanzanian–Italian cooking, a gift shop and a pool table in the lobby, usually occupied by the Maasai on the staff.
No markup
You pay exactly the rate the resort publishes. On top of that, only the actual bank costs of currency conversion and the international transfer — no commission of ours.
We run the deal
Correspondence with the resort, holding the room, the contract, booking confirmation and all paperwork are on our side. There is nothing for you to arrange yourself.
Card payment
We accept payment by card through Stripe and issue an invoice. The transfer to the resort is our job — you do not have to find a way to pay abroad.
Support all the way
We help you choose the room and dates, work out the dive package, answer questions about flights and gear, and stay in touch until you are home.
The exact amount is confirmed when we hold your booking: it includes the resort's rate at the day's exchange rate plus the actual transfer costs. No hidden fees.
About the resort
- Country
- Tanzania
- Location
- Utende, Marine Park, Mafia Island
- Nearest airport
- Mafia (MFA), Kilindoni — a 20-minute drive
- Transfer
- Arranged by the resort, USD 25 per car each way
- House reef
- Marine park reefs a ten-minute boat ride away
- Dive sites
- Kinasi Pass, Dindini Wall, The Pinnacle, Coral Gardens and other park sites
- Dive centre
- In-house Basecamp Mafia Dive Club, PADI 30658
- Rooms
- 27 rooms — 13 superior and 14 standard
- Internet
- Yes, up to 30 Mbps
- Languages
- English, Kiswahili
At the resort
Diving
Every trip is tide-dependent, so the schedule shifts from day to day. Kinasi Pass is the island's most famous site: a drift along walls with caverns and overhangs, shoals thick enough to block the light, turtles, giant groupers and barracuda. Dindini Wall outside Chole Bay has an archway, small caverns, sea fans and Napoleon wrasse — the photographers' favourite. Equipment is available for hire and is not included in the packages.
Dining
The open-plan restaurant faces the bay; the beach bar stands apart, under palms and bamboo umbrellas. The resort plans to grow some of its own vegetables. Meals can be added to a stay separately — breakfast, lunch and dinner are each priced on their own.
Beyond diving
Excursions are booked at reception and a local guide always comes along. Birding is led by naturalist Boniface Muhina: 246 species, nine of them threatened, across five habitats from mangroves and coastal forest to island grassland. The crab-plover winters in Chole Bay from September to April, the goliath heron is a year-round resident, and the bearded scrub robin is found nowhere outside Zanzibar and Mafia.
Rooms
Superior Ocean View Family
View: Ocean
Beds: King-size bed plus bunk beds in a separate room
Four fully renovated family rooms of forty square metres, with a king-size bed and a separate little room with bunk beds for children. Sea views and direct access to the beach. Of all the categories this one suits guests with reduced mobility best — it is the closest to the restaurant.
Superior Ocean View
View: Ocean
Beds: Double bed
Six spacious renovated rooms furnished with locally made pieces. Forty square metres, sea views, direct beach access and a private veranda that works equally well for morning coffee and a sundowner. Along with Pwani, this is the most private category.
Superior
View: Garden and ocean
Beds: King-size bed
Three spacious rooms with a king-size bed and panoramic views over the green gardens and the ocean. Free-standing and quiet — the resort recommends them, along with Kisiwa, to couples who want privacy.
Standard Ocean View
View: Ocean
Beds: Queen-size bed
Seven standard rooms on the front line: a queen-size bed, a glass wall and door that put the ocean in view from the bed itself, and a private balcony with chairs. Simpler than superior, with the same view.
Standard Garden View
View: Garden
Beds: Queen-size bed
Seven rooms set back among the palms and cashew trees. A queen-size bed, a private balcony and a couple of minutes' walk to the beach. The quietest corner of the resort.
Rates
Dive packages
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Six Pack — 4 nights, 6 dives | USD 810 |
| Magnificent Ten — 7 nights, 10 dives | USD 1,365 |
| Ultimate Combo — 7 nights, 6 dives and three excursions | USD 1,337 |
| Upgrade — superior room, full board, 30-minute massage, per night | USD 80 |
| Second person sharing the room, per night | USD 50 |
Prices per person in US dollars, valid from 1 July 2026 to the end of April 2027. Minimum two people, VAT included. Standard room, daily breakfast, professional guiding. Equipment is not included and is available for hire. Payment — 50% on confirmation, 50% one month before arrival.
PADI courses with accommodation
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Advanced Open Water, 4 nights | USD 990 |
| Open Water, 4 nights | USD 1,065 |
| Open Water and Advanced Open Water, 7 nights | USD 1,920 |
Prices per person in US dollars. Accommodation, breakfast and tuition included.
Birdwatching packages
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Bird Intro Pack — 4 nights, 3 days of birding | USD 780 |
| Bird Expert Pack — 7 nights, 6 days of birding | USD 1,425 |
Prices per person in US dollars, valid from 1 July 2026 to the end of April 2027. Minimum two people. Standard room, breakfast, a professional birding guide, transport by car, motorbike and boat, and VAT are included. The marine park fee is not.
Excursions and sea trips
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Swimming with whale sharks | USD 70 |
| Snorkelling in Chole Bay | USD 25 |
| Marimbani sandbank | USD 30 |
| Juani Blue Lagoon | USD 30 |
| Turtle hatching on Juani Island | USD 25 |
| Chole Island | USD 25 |
| Kua Ruins | USD 25 |
| Lighthouse, Kanga Beach and barbecue | USD 70 |
| Kilindoni cultural walk | USD 25 |
| Kisiwa coconut plantation, 2.5 hours | USD 30 |
| Deep-sea fishing, half day | USD 400 |
| Deep-sea fishing, full day | USD 650 |
Prices per person in US dollars. Booked at reception.
Spa
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Full body massage, 60 minutes — Swedish, deep tissue or holistic | USD 49 |
| Back and neck, 30 minutes | USD 29 |
| Back and neck, 60 minutes | USD 49 |
| Foot and leg, 20 minutes | USD 19 |
Prices in US dollars.
Meals and transfer
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Breakfast, per person per day | USD 10 |
| Lunch, per person per day | USD 15 |
| Dinner, per person per day | USD 25 |
| Airport transfer, per car each way | USD 25 |
Prices in US dollars. Meals are added to a stay as you choose. The transfer is priced per car and seats up to five people.
Long stays
| Price per month | |
|---|---|
| Standard room, single occupancy, with breakfast | USD 1,000 |
| Deluxe room for two, with breakfast | USD 1,500 |
An offer for remote workers. Prices per month in US dollars, marine park fee not included.
Wedding buy-out
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, full board, dhow sunset cruise, sandbank picnic, beach barbecue and transfers | USD 30,000 |
Four days and three nights, the whole resort, up to 50 people. All-inclusive.
Rates and availability can change. Message us — we will confirm current dates and prices.
When to go
- Best time
- June to October — dry and sunny; April and May are best skipped
Temperatures stay at 25–30 °C year-round. The best weather runs from June to October: sunny, breezy and dry. **Whale sharks** are around from October to March, peaking in October, November and February. Visibility is best from October to February, though June to October offers good conditions with less wind. **Humpback whales** pass in August and September. Turtle hatchlings emerge between December and March. April and May bring the long rains and many lodges close for maintenance. On balance October is the best month: whale sharks have arrived and it is still dry.
Getting there
Fly into Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s international gateway, with direct flights from Europe and the Middle East. From there it is a 30-minute hop on a light aircraft to Kilindoni airstrip on Mafia. Auric Air and Coastal Aviation fly the route up to six times a day and a one-way ticket costs around EUR 150. Zanzibar is 45 minutes away, and there are also flights from Arusha and the Selous.
The airstrip is a 20-minute drive from the resort, and the transfer is arranged by the resort — USD 25 per car each way, up to five people.
The resort sits inside Mafia Island Marine Park. The fee of USD 23.60 per person per night is paid by card at the park gate. A 1% Tourism Development Levy is added to the accommodation total.
The resort takes cards, but cash matters on the island: there is a single ATM, in Kilindoni, and it is unreliable. Withdraw in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar before you come.
Included in the price
Not included
Mandatory extras
Optional extras
Extras are per person and paid on site.
Price on request
Basecamp Mafia Island
Availability for your dates will be confirmed before any payment. Estimated wait time — 24 hours
Other resorts
Butiama Beach Lodge
Dive resort · Tanzania
Kilindoni, west coast, Mafia Island
from 170 USD per person per night, double occupancy, half board, garden view room
Kinasi Lodge
Dive resort · Tanzania
Utende, Chole Bay, Mafia Island
Price on request
Pole Pole Bungalows
Dive resort · Tanzania
Utende Beach, Chole Bay, Mafia Island
Price on request
Superior Ocean View Family
Four fully renovated family rooms of forty square metres, with a king-size bed and a separate little room with bunk beds for children. Sea views and direct access to the beach. Of all the categories this one suits guests with reduced mobility best — it is the closest to the restaurant.
- View
- Ocean
- Beds
- King-size bed plus bunk beds in a separate room
- Size
- 40 m²
- Maximum guests
- 4
- Rooms of this type
- 4 rooms
Superior Ocean View
Six spacious renovated rooms furnished with locally made pieces. Forty square metres, sea views, direct beach access and a private veranda that works equally well for morning coffee and a sundowner. Along with Pwani, this is the most private category.
- View
- Ocean
- Beds
- Double bed
- Size
- 40 m²
- Maximum guests
- 2
- Rooms of this type
- 6 rooms
Superior
Three spacious rooms with a king-size bed and panoramic views over the green gardens and the ocean. Free-standing and quiet — the resort recommends them, along with Kisiwa, to couples who want privacy.
- View
- Garden and ocean
- Beds
- King-size bed
- Size
- 35 m²
- Maximum guests
- 2
- Rooms of this type
- 3 rooms
Standard Ocean View
Seven standard rooms on the front line: a queen-size bed, a glass wall and door that put the ocean in view from the bed itself, and a private balcony with chairs. Simpler than superior, with the same view.
- View
- Ocean
- Beds
- Queen-size bed
- Maximum guests
- 2
- Rooms of this type
- 7 rooms
Standard Garden View
Seven rooms set back among the palms and cashew trees. A queen-size bed, a private balcony and a couple of minutes' walk to the beach. The quietest corner of the resort.
- View
- Garden
- Beds
- Queen-size bed
- Maximum guests
- 2
- Rooms of this type
- 7 rooms
Basecamp Mafia Island
Dive resort
