homepage   |    about mafia   |    history & culture   |    nature   |    kinasi   |    activities   |    excursions   |    doing nothing   |    logistics & services Home :: nature :: Tourism, Conservation and Community Project.   Tourism, Conservation and Community Project. Marine research   Kinasi Lodge was the site of the FRONTIER research camp from 1988 to 1993, hence the name "Kinasi Camp". From here FRONTIER, a British non-profit conservation organisation, conducted the surveys that led to the formation of Mafia Island Marine Park. The spirit of conservation and appreciation of Mafia's natural resources is being continued throughout our varied efforts to ensure conservation and assist community advancement, including formation of the Mafia Island Tourism Association.   We are making a scientific collection of the shells of Mafia Island, first begun by FRONTIER, and have contributed to surveys of the vegetation, birds, mammals and butterflies.   Archaeology   KINASI was also once an Iron Age site and we have been assisting the excavations here on Juani Island and near Arusha village, on the western side of Mafia, where Dr. Felix Chami of the University of Dar es Salaam has discovered forges, pottery, evidence of glass-working and habitation. This is a very exciting activity for the new finds and evidence the research is producing. We provide logistical support and accommodation for Prof. Chami's teams whenever he comes to Mafia. The Persian ruins at Kisimani Mafia and Kua are among the most notable of the East African Coast and reflect the great influence of these people, especially from the 11th to the 13th Centuries.   Community projects   We are assisting the development of local handicrafts (clay pots, mats boat models, furniture) and commercial product development (natural honey, smoked fish, calamari, crabs, oysters, seafood pate, marine aquaria specimens). We welcome interest, ideas and involvement form our guests in all our efforts. These are projects that are on will be sponsored by the Mafia Club.   Nature trails and bird-watching   The Nature Trail developed by Kinasi along the foreshore of Chole Bay is described in the special pamphlet that is available on library. The trail is marked and provided with rest areas that are also good locations from which to quietly watch birds.   A water nature trail in the special interest areas of Chole Bay has also been developed and is guided by our own resident staff. It covers the Kua Channel by boat.   Mafia Island Bird Checklist   Kinasi sponsored the field work and many of the observations for the completion of the first thorough bird checklist of Mafia; this work covered seasonal and migratory species. Mafia is especially interesting for its shorebirds and migratory species such as the Crab Plover. We hope that Mafia will be raised to the status of a Very Important Bird Site for its role in the migratory route of the Crab Plover down the African coast.   The field work and monograph of the Bird Checklist of Mafia has been written and beautifully illustrated by Dudley Isles (BSc.) and is available in Kinasi's gift shop.   The checklist follows van Perlo's sequence of groups (Collins Guide to the Birds of East Africa). There is an excellent collection of bird books in the Kinasi library. Sightings for improvement of the checklist are made by guests and other naturalists visiting Mafia, and we welcome such assistance with this project.   Library   As a result of our own interest in the people, history, archaeology and nature of Mafia there is now an extensive library of technical books and literature references at Kinasi. As well as the bird books, there are books on wildlife and beautifully illustrated volumes on fish, shells, corals and other marine life. [ Top of page ] water taxi to Chole [+]   Where is Kinasi Gallery CONTACT US Prices and Special Offers Enquiries & bookings Useful Web Links SIte Map