Kinasi was built by Peter Byrne and the staff of Kinasi Lodge, who all have at least two skills….. all the former builders took up permanent roles in the hotel after its completion! So Oscar the Barman and Sheby and Sudi the Chefs are our masons, whose skills are so evident in Kinasi's design. Peter and the gang continue to make improvements and extensions all the time and this is one reason so many of our guests return - to see what new ideas have come to life.

Furnishing and style and guest management is the expertise of Antonella Balestra, Peter's partner and co-shareholder. Kinasi started as a home for friends to enjoy themselves in an island paradise, so it retains this air and functionality. Peter is Australian and Antonella Italian. Their third partner is Jan ter Haar, a Dutchman, who first came to Mafia in 1988 and met Peter on the beach where KINASI is now built

Family heritage

Kinasi is one of Tanzania's finest collection of small, owner-managed lodges and safari camps, providing high standards of personal service. These properties are designed, furnished and managed to each provide a unique experience in prime wildlife and seaside locations for travellers who appreciate attention to detail, care and personl service. We care about our accommodation, cuisine and activities and strive to provide an unrivalled experience; we love what we do and we love Africa and our way of life. This is a collection of properties with the same goals and standards and consistent management - but each is unique and reflects the owner's character, creativity and experience.

Incidentally, most of us are not originally tourism professionals and came into the industry by chance, to share what we have discovered and experienced. We provide hospitality in the sense of home, which is what we consider our 'family heritage'.