Londo Lodge is an intimate, owner-run boutique beach lodge on a peninsula looking over Pemba Bay, on the southern border of Mozambique’s Quirimbas National Park. It offers the opportunity to enjoy the turquoise waters and the largely unexplored reefs of this part of Mozambique, and to explore the bush of the national park. The restaurant provides '24-hour personal catering' and fully deserves its ‘Good Safari Guide 2008’ award. Londo Lodge provides a luxurious Mozambique bush-and-beach holiday in just one location.
Accommodation
Seven octagonal, thatched villas, set on a 7 metre-high clifftop, provide luxurious, air-conditioned accommodation. The king-size four-poster beds are equipped with hand-made mattresses and fine linen bedding. Each villa has a private teak sunset deck, with views over the sparkling waters of Pemba Bay and the surrounding baobab bush. The bathrooms are spacious, with an additional outdoor shower, and the wide louvered doors allow you to take advantage of the sea breeze. The striking décor is a successful fusion of local craftsmanship and Moroccan / Arab / Indian influences.
Two villas are very special, and have private plunge pools. The luxury baobab tree villa is built around a tree and has an upper deck with a roof-top bedroom. The other is the luxury cliff-edge villa which has two bedrooms and bathrooms – ideal for families with younger children. There are also nannies and babysitters available, quite a few toys and special things for kids to do.
Marine activities
The dazzling waters of the Indian Ocean contain an abundance of marine life to admire while snorkelling or scuba diving. The PADI dive instructor can take you to explore a variety of dive sites (ranging from 2.5 to 28 metres) in the beautiful coral reefs. There is a house reef right in front of the lodge so you can walk straight in and begin snorkelling and diving. Canoeing, windsurfing and sailing trips to deserted islands are among the other water activities on offer.
There are often dolphins in the bay, and from August to October one can see whales passing. The game-fishing and fly-fishing are exceptional. The lodge has its own dhow which is used for sunset cruises.
Land activities
The lodge is connected at the tip of the peninsula to the Quirimbas National Park, and in drives and walks through the bush one may see a variety of buck, small mammals and numerous bird species. Londo is an excellent birding destination.
Because Londo is on the mainland, and also close to Pemba, it is easier for guests to get an experience of the authentic Mozambique. The 45 staff are from the local area – many worked on the construction of the lodge and then retrained to take up jobs at the lodge. There is a village 30 minutes walk away, and guests are made very welcome if they care to visit. The lodge also offers tours of Pemba, a bustling market town.
The lodge is built above a sandy cove which has an excellent beach. But you can also walk or drive across the peninsula to the seaward side where there is a long deserted beach.
Food
Meals at Londo are delicious. Fresh, local fish, prawns and crab are prominent on the eclectic menu; quality meat is flown in from South Africa. The menu is influenced by African and Asian culinary traditions, and the kitchen will be pleased to cater for your tastes. Meals can also be served on a secluded beach, on a sunset dhow cruise, on the deck of your villa or in the bush. The lodge has an excellent cellar of South African wines, and a large choice of single malts to savour in the first-floor cigar bar.
Facilities
There is a large cliff-edge infinity pool as well as a pool bar which is an excellent spot to enjoy the sunset. There is also a beach bar. A spa stands on the cliff edge and provides wonderful views over the bay. Massage, facials, body wraps, and manicures are among the wide range of treatments available. Londo Lodge is a 20-minute boat journey from Pemba.