E32 | | Chole Mjini Lodge - Tanzania

We went to the East coast of Africa, in Tanzania, far from the postcard picture of safaris and organised treks. Chole island is about 25 km away from the city of Dar es Salaam and is only accessible by boat, the island has no roads, no cars, no drinking water and no electricity. Anne and Jean de Villiers moved to the island over 20 years ago with the idea of building an unconventional hotel. So, how can we build a hotel on an island while respecting the environment? What kind of materials and techniques can we use to minimise our impact on the place? And what is the best way to get the village and the locals involved in such tourism? True social challenge, it is by answering these questions that Anne and Jean have created the Chole Mjini Lodge, together with the locals and with the environment in mind.