KINASI - Utende Beach - MAFIA ISLAND
Who stays here?
Our regular guests come to Mafia Island for its nature, the low number of visitors and the "unspoilt" nature of the destination, implying the choice to be inquisitive, adventurous and individual, get off the 'herd' travel path to Zanzibar, which is suffering from uncontrolled development, over-tourism, pollution and a lack of attractions and the insidious rise of that accompanying tourism downer of "fleecing" visitors.
What to do here?
Mafia Island offers an unique experience of multiple nature-based attractions in easy access of Kinasi - excellent diving and snorkelling, guided excursions to historic ruins and local communities that remain true to their traditions, socio-economic activities and culture, snorkeling with whale sharks, taking part in annual turtle hatching events (over 100 nests each breeding season), boat and road excursions to pristine beaches, islets, distant sand banks for diving, snorkeling and barbecue picnics and coming soon, kite-boarding. At Kinasi we provide all the facilities to make available all the activities possible in-house for our personalised service to each guest.
Top 3 reasons to visit
- Low volume - high quality experiences, back to basics of enjoying nature
- Every excursion and activity is very accessible, with no extra travel and transfer costs
- it's very personalised and you are always with like-minded people and wonderful local guides
Our Story
KINASI - Utende Beach - MAFIA ISLAND
Kinasi is owned by Antonella Balestra, Peter Byrne, pioneers of the nature-based tourism that initiated modern tourism in Tanzania in the 1990s. Kinasi was built before regular flights to Mafia were established by Peter in co-operation with Coastal Travels in 1996, while he also served Kinasi by collecting guests by air, flying regularly as far as Ruaha, Selous Game Reserve, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam to "put Mafia on the map". Kinasi is their passion, a home that is shared with guests whom we wish to become friends, even for a short time. We want our guests to fell at home, to feel the intensity of our staff and their desire to make people happy, comfortable and ensure a friendly, happy atmosphere. Now at 30 years of age in October 2025 Kinasi has had a complete modernisation makeover from the exterior construction to interiors, with a novel blended coastal style and architecture that has come from a generation's experience, knowledge and capability. The reconstruction and remodeling also reflects our dedication to sustainability and climate adaptation, the reality of climate change everywhere and especially in coastal communities. This touch ensures our guests will continue to be comfortable, happy and able to safely undertake all the fabulous excursions the Mafia Archipelago has to offer. With half our lives spent here we have come to be part of the community and have developed roots and shoots of "community" in everything we do from employment and upskilling to education , health and welfare projects, as well as mutually beneficial economic "partnerships for prosperity". Your stay with us will benefit our community members directly. We look forward to meeting you.
Our team is made up of a network of relatives and close neighbours from the surrounding village and island communities.