Eco Shamba Kilole Lodge

Eco Shamba Kilole Lodge is a small, intimate, very pleasant and cozy eco-lodge on Mafia Island, owned and run by Italian divers (Marco and Francesca). It's set on a 5-hectare (13-acre) tropical botanical garden on a promontory overlooking Kilole Bay with spectacular views of the bay and islands of Chole, Juani, and Jobondo, facing the Mafia Marine Park. The lodge is the only certified "Eco-lodge" on Mafia Island, strictly applying ecological architecture principles without removing mangroves, and uses local plants including medicinal plants and flowers that attract diverse birds.

Rooms

The resort consists of only 6 bungalows divided into 3 chalets/rooms  and 3 suites, both offering double or twin beds. Three rooms are on the landward side, three suites are on the seaward side with better views and breeze. Each bungalow features African-style furnishings with different design/theme and colors, mosquito nets, private veranda, en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, and hot water from solar panels. All rooms have ceiling fans (no air conditioning), safety deposit boxes, and are clean and functional with washbasin, clean towels, and basic toiletries.

Facilities

Common spaces include a year-round outdoor swimming pool (clean, depurated with environmentally-friendly chlorination system), restaurant, and large lounge in a big thatched house with pool. The lounge has colorfully covered sofas and chairs, solid wood furniture, and rustic decor. The pool has chaise longues and parasols, and the bar offers magnificent views over Kilole Bay. Fresh coffee and cookies are available at the bar during the day.

Dining 

The restaurant serves delicious Italian dishes with African twist, offering the most tasteful cuisine on Mafia Island. Cuisine is high-quality, excellent, using organic farm produce from the lodge's own vegetable garden (self-sufficiency principle). Each evening features delicious cocktails varying according to dinner menu. The lodge is considered the ideal place for all divers seeking African-style accommodation without paying premium figures of other lodges.

Activities

The lodge is the only PADI resort on Mafia Island qualified for theory and first practice scuba diving courses, making it ideal for beginners learning to dive in the pool or through sessions at other centers. Activities include diving classes for beginners, diving, boat excursions to Miewe Island and Marimbani sandbank within Chole Bay, snorkeling daytrip to Mange sandbank, boat excursions to Juani Island (June-July turtle hatching), Jobondo and Chole Islands to explore local fishermen villages and traditional boat-building sites. Distant excursions to swim with whale sharks can also be arranged.

General Services

The lodge follows strict ecological principles including self-sufficiency from own vegetable garden, uses trees and plants found on the property, and keeps dogs, cats, and even cows. Electricity is available 24 hours from local power supply with standby generator. Rooms have solar hot water panels and environmentally-friendly pool chlorination. The lodge offers free WiFi, free private parking, excellent personal service despite small size, and is suitable for non-divers seeking authentic, untouched environment accommodation.