Getting there: The nearest international airports are in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, which are serviced by KLM and British Airways. Then there are regular flights on Eagle Air or Precision Air for $100 from Dar es Salaam. Flights from Zanzibar are $170. Flights charted from Kinasi Lodge cost $150 from Dar es Salaam and $120 from Zanzibar.
Getting around: The hotel provides transportation to the few places where you might want to visit; otherwise the island is best explored on foot.
Lodging: Most visitors stay at the Kinasi Lodge at $140 per person per night with full board during the high season. The rate is only $110 in low season. Contact: www.mafiaisland.com/kinasi.htm or 255-741-325-820 and fax 255-24-223-8220.
Diving: Dives cost $35 each and are booked through the hotel. Discounts for groups and more than 10 dives.
Medical: Mafia is in a malaria area, including chloroquine-resistant strains, and guests should take prophylaxis prescribed by a doctor knowledgeable in tropical medicine. Kinasi is a member of the Flying Doctors Society of East Africa and also has its own aircraft, for emergency medical treatment and evacuation to Dar es Salaam, Mombasa or Nairobi.
Climate: Mafia has a mild, tropical climate and is rarely very hot or humid. December through March are the most humid months with great weather; October is hot but dry. The cool months are June through September, a superb time in East Africa. July can be windy when the persistent southeast monsoon is strongest, and November is sometimes wet.
On the Net: newafrica.com/travel/mafia/; www.tanzania-web.com/mafia/home.htm