Name: Butiama Beach
Address: PO Box 47 Mafia Island, Kilindoni, Tanzania, Mafia Island, Mafia Island, Mafia Island, 0202020, Tanzania
Rating: 10

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Mafia Airport

Butiama Beach

Mafia Island

Butiama Lodge has a lot of character and charm, it also felt very intimate. We came to Mafia Island for the whale sharks and the location couldn’t have been better as all the boats are leaving directly from the beach opposite the Lodge. We hesitated for our stay between the lodges located in Chole Bay like Pole Pole and Kinasi Lodge but so glad Expert Africa recommended us Butiama Lodge as I cannot see what could have been better and Butiama is definitely better value. 
The rooms are nice and comfortable, it felt so safe that we didn’t even bother locking up our room when we left. No insects in our rooms whatsoever though as it was rainy season there were quite a lot of flies during the day on the beach. The beach is beautiful and just next to the Marine Park. 
The food was really good and no issues to cater for my gluten free diet. Unfortunately the choice of wines and quality were not that great (though cheap) and I would have gladly paid more for better quality wines. Stunning cocktails.
For the whale sharks we used Afro Whale Shark Safari which is literally next to Butiama Lodge. I am sure that the whale shark safari through Butiama is also nice but we choose Afro as they are the first to leave in the morning (around 07:30) so more time spent without any other boats and they are owned and run by locals. Sabrina their guide is amazing and we saw 9 whale sharks on that day. For the diving we used Big Blu Dive Centre, owned by Butiama, and it was really good. Besides the whale sharks we went to see the flying foxes (giant fruit bats) in the mangrove with a kayak (at our disposal by the Lodge). This is not to be missed and amazing, we felt like in a Attenborough documentary. 
Special thanks to William, the manager, and all the staff who were doing all they can for us to have a great stay and sort any issues out like our cancelled return flights.


Great stay on Mafia Island

We stayed for 5 nights and this was the perfect place to end our holiday after 11 days of safari in Uganda and Tanzania.  I wouldn't be surprised if Butiama translates to "relax & unwind" - no shoes required here as the beautiful white sand extends from the beach to the walkways around this small hotel/resort.  Spacious and comfortable cabins  right by the beach (complimentary laundry service too - a real bonus after our safari) and a great restaurant/bar - serving some of the most delicious grilled prawns we've ever had.   The staff are super friendly - and we have to mention "Raman" who took us under his wing for several enjoyable nights out at the local "Cosovo" bar - great music and the beer is so cheap!!   There is a good selection of activities to book onto each day.  The highlight is swimming with the whale sharks - WOW - what an experience to be in the water with these majestic creatures as they swim by.  We also enjoyed the snorkelling on the pristine reefs in the marine park.  But most of all we enjoyed lying back on the comfortable beach sun loungers, reading a book, having a snooze and summoning the energy to grab another beer!! 

Butiama Beach Lodge - Relax and Unwind

I had a lovely, relaxing stay at Butiama. The staff are kind and welcoming, it’s spacious, the beach is lovely, and there are lots of activities they will arrange for you if you’re in the mood to be adventurous—swimming with whale sharks, snorkeling, sand bar picnics, island tours, etc. You can also easily walk to the village and the island on the whole is very safe. The food is good and they also have free water! 

If you are planning to spend a lot of time in the marine park for diving you might want to checkout their sister lodge Big Blu on that side of the island. Many people did a few nights there and then a few nights at Butiama.

Lovely stay at Butiama!

Butiama is a hidden gem. It is set in a palm grove adjacent to an amazing beach. Whilst not luxurious, the accommodation is comfortable and the service exceptional. With a choice of excursions every day based on the marine setting, there is plenty to do - or just chill out on the beach or by the pool. Despite being novices, we snorkelled both on the coral reef and with whale sharks in the deep sea and were looked after by the most attentive guides, who quite literally held our hands while we gained confidence. Butiama is a little piece of paradise. We were concerned that we might find the lack of air con a problem but we slept well by putting on the fan for an hour or so before settling down, which was sufficient to cool the room to a comfortable temperature.

Wonderfully relaxing but with lots of opportunities for the more adventurous.

Amazing place, like a heaven. Very peaceful and quiet, clean, good food, and also very nice that the water was free. Bungalow was amazing, own peace. Would definitely stay longer. Staff was friendly and made the stay perfect. 

Best stay ever

After a five day safari we went 5 days to Butiama Beach Lodge for relaxing, but also for wateractivities. We went snorkeling and diving with Big Blue a company that is related to the lodge. We were also very lucky that the whalesharks were still aroud. A magnificent experience! Everything is organized by the staff off Butiama Beach Lodge together with Big Blue Diving. That makes it very easy. 

The staff at Butiama is very helpfull and the service is excellent and personal. We liked the food very much (although it was often too much), we had a wonderful lodge with an amazing view and the beach in front of the lodge is beautiful. The people were very friendly. 

Wonderful lodge

I stayed a couple of days with my daughter  and I felt totally in love with this amazing hotel. My expectactions were very high from reading the excellent reviews from TA, but reality was even better!! This place is really special. It welcomes you with a sense-estimulating sea breeze, beautiful setting and warm hospitality. The rooms are super confortable, the food very good, there are many areas to chill, a cool bar and the swimming pool is very pleasant.

We went with them to swim with the whale sharks and it was one of our best life experiences - there were so many and so few people! The boat captain and the guide did such a great job!! 

We also stayed a couple of days at the sister hotel Butiama Marine Camp (20 minutes away, where their dive center Big Blue is, as we dived 5 days with them and for which I also run out of superlatives). 

I would really love to come back soon. Both Butiama hotels and the island are amazing pieces of paradise.

Beautiful, secluded, peacefuĺ laid-back paradise with all confort and best hospitality

Beautiful sea view from the bungalow from comfortable kingsize bed with mosquito net very clean very friendly service and advice for activities price performance is correct We were very satisfied. fantastic experience on the whale-snorkel tour We would love to come back!

A wonderful stay

Best place for travelers who want to relax after a Safari or plan a full vacation on Mafia Island staying at Butiama Bustani. We stayed 4 nights and were taken in like family but taken care of like a king a queen. Butiama provides exceptional service. The food is delicious, staff is top notch at arranging activities and transportation to the related hotels. 
We especially enjoyed the Bustiani location because it felt like our private Oasis. I think most people tend to stay at the two other hotels where the excursions are; but we loved that Bustani provides a more intimate setting, there are no daily hotel activities at this location, eliminating the hustle and congestion noted on other properties during popular activities. So we were very pleased with our diving and whale shark excursions but loved returning to Bustani home where our staff really got to know us on a personal level over 4 amazing days! 
Our only regret is not planning a longer stay. 

Book Bustani!

A well-kept manager and always present. The lodge is superbly well maintained, very clean. The breakfast was the best of the four lodges we made. Very complete, fresh and abundant. The dishes are very good and fresh! Water and tea in self-service, appreciative! the extras at the bar might be more affordable: $5 for local fruit and vegetables... The pool is clean with trance and shade - perfect for children. The massages are extraordinary!!!! waouwww ca is widely worth the price! Very spacious, clean and what it takes. For the price... ok on the beach, but not in front of the sea, so let's enjoy a moment of unnecessary sand products! we started to pay attention and this did not spoil our rest of the day... but we did not have a great deal of time in the hotel.

Butiama Beach

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