Cabo Delgado province in the far north of Mozambique is as distant from Maputo as Moscow is from London.
The area has existed in splendid isolation, with most of the population confined to fishing communities along the coast and on the 32 tiny coral islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago which stretch for 400 kms along the Indian Ocean coast.
These fishing communities with their dhows, dugouts and outrigger canoes share more with the Swahili-speaking east African population to the north than they do with their fellow nationals down in the south.
Ecological Quirimbas holidays
In the last few years, a particularly enlightened provincial governor has facilitated the development of sustainable tourism as a means to providing employment and furthering conservation of this ecologically fascinating province. Already what was the poorest province of one of the world’s poorest countries is beginning to enjoy the fruits of tourism. Parts of the mainland, and several islands, now have lodges and tourists are discovering the delights of this pristine wilderness.
Access to the Quirimbas Archipelago & surrounds
Access to Pemba, the regional capital and airport, has improved considerably. SA Airlink has a weekly flight from Johannesburg, flying time under 3 hours, LAM (Air Mozambique) flies up three times a week from Maputo. There are also flights from Dar-es-Salaam (flying time two hours) and Nairobi.
Light aircraft transfers meet the Pemba flights and it a short hop to most destinations. Those arriving in the late afternoon can overnight at Pemba Beach Hotel. Improved access resulted in a substantial rise in visitor numbers. Visit the Quirimbas now, while it is still an undeveloped backwater.
Azura at Quilalea
This is the sister property to the award winning Azura Benguerra Island.Built on ?the uninhabited, private island of Quilalea, the lodge features just nine villas, all recently enlarged and refurbished with spacious bathrooms, well stocked mini bar, large decks and daybeds. Facilities include a state-of- the-art TV and media room, wine cellar and Mozambican Butler service, and the kitchen serves A...
Coral Lodge
Coral Lodge takes castaway-chic to new levels of comfort. This beach retreat is situated on a peninsula within the wild and rugged dunes, mangroves and untouched beaches of Varanda Private Nature Reserve. Set on the mainland only a short distance across the sea from Ilha de Moçambique, Coral Lodge 15.41 looks out onto San Sebastião Fort (1558 AD) at the north point of the island. Built on top of t...
Guludo Beach Lodge
Guludo Beach Lodge ,where the bush meets the beach, where elephants feed off mangrove trees just metres from the ocean.It's a resort that’s bucking the trend, with the accent on simplicity rather than luxury, but that no longer means rustic.The spacious bandas built of mud brick and thatch using traditional methods to keep it naturally cool, with ceramic floors hand-crafted by local wome...
Ibo Island Lodge
Ibo Island Lodge is 70 km north of Pemba in northern Mozambique.Ibo was the Portuguese administrative capital of Northern Mozambique and an important East African trading post, for over 500 years until it’s swift decline during the twentieth century. Today, it is a surreal place, a tiny island with imposing ruins of villas, forts and administrative buildings in the middle of nowhere.Three wa...
Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort
Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort is set on a secluded private island in the Quirimbas Archipelago which is off the northern coast of Mozambique.This adult-only African hideaway comprises 12 villas offering an intimate and truly Robinson Crusoe experience. This tiny island is just one kilometre long and 300 metres wide, Anantara Medjumbe Island offers tranquil seclusion and privacy yet is only a sho...
Nuarro
Nuarro is an owner-managed lodge at Memba Bay, about 380 kms south of Pemba, and just 180 kms north of Ilha de Mocambique as the crow flies.It is situated in a private 800-hectare wooded area on the tip of the Baixo do Pinda peninsula by a two-kilometre beach.AccommodationTwelve spacious thatched chalets are set along the dunes facing a beautiful crescent beach. The floor is raised to give a sea-v...
Pemba Beach Hotel
Pemba Beach Hotel is a luxurious and stylish modern hotel set in rolling lawns by the beach on the outskirts of Pemba.The hotel has an excellent restaurant specialising in fresh seafood, as well as a snack bar and a cocktail bar. Meals are served inside and on the terrace. AccommodationThere are 100 rooms, all sea-facing, with individual balconies or verandahs. Rooms are fully air-conditioned and ...
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