Rest a while at Chole Minji

29 May 2026

Mafia Island, off the south coast of Zanzibar in East Africa, conjures images of men in black suits with brown paper bags and guns walking up and down beaches.

But fear not, there are no guns here; just stunning lagoons, a tropical climate, and a penchant for sleeping in trees.

Each tree house at Chole Minji took between six months and a year to complete, because they were built completely by hand, using traditional tools and materials sourced only from traders who were living there. The word unique is thrown around pretty loosely these days, but there is a level of dedication that has gone into making these treehouses that makes them literally impossible to replicate.

RELATED ⟶ NOW THIS IS A SAFARI

Chole Minji treehouse accommodation built among tropical trees on Mafia Island, Tanzania.
Handcrafted wooden treehouse at Chole Minji surrounded by lush greenery and coastal forest in Tanzania.

Sandy paths lead to houses built into and around ancient Boab and Tamarind trees, all with views of mangrove-lined shorelines. The only way to get closer to nature is probably a Greenpeace protest.


To offer an immersive island escape that brings guests closer to nature, local culture and the slower rhythms of life on Mafia Island.

Swiss Family Robinson meets barefoot luxury, with treehouses, sandy paths and ocean views replacing walls, roads and schedules.

A handcrafted treehouse built into ancient baobab or tamarind trees, where sea breezes and birdsong provide the soundtrack.

Sleeping in a treehouse on a remote Tanzanian island that took up to a year to build entirely by hand.

Fresh seafood caught from the surrounding waters and enjoyed with your feet in the sand as the sun disappears over the Indian Ocean.

Put your shoes away, wander the island’s sandy paths and let the tides dictate the pace of your day.

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