Mozambique - Places To Stay

Ibo Island, Quirimbas Archipelago - The lodge is located on the Indian Ocean coastline of Ibo Island - the former Portuguese colonial capital of the region. Beautiful, remote and untouched by commercial developments, Ibo is one of the most intriguing, idyllic and romantic islands you could dream of visiting. Boundless secrets, history and culture are still contained amongst the marvellous ruins on the island which date back to the early 1500s.

Ibo Island Lodge consists of a series of renovated mansion houses built around baobab trees and maintained in a traditional Portuguese style. There are 2 pools with a 3rd one planned. The island is a potential World Heritage Site and therefore the rooms have been designed to incorporate the original architecture and style of the old buildings. All the rooms are fitted with hand crafted furniture made locally on the island. Each room is en-suite (all with shower and some with bath & shower) and opens out onto a private veranda from where you can watch traditional dhows sail out into the ocean.

The restaurant and bar is magnificently situated on the roof terrace of the Bela Vista mansion facing west for unforgettable sunsets and affording spectacular views over the bay. Meals feature freshly Ibo-grown vegetables, herbs and fruits and combine traditional specialties with seafood. Ibo Island Lodge is a perfect hideaway where you can unwind or be as active as you wish.

Ibo Island, Quirimbas Archipelago - 71 nm from mainland Pemba

Guests can fly daily to Pemba International airport and then by light aircraft or helicopter directly to Ibo Island. Boat transfers are also available linking Ibo with neighbouring properties.

9 - Villa rooms

£227 per person sharing in High Season
£243 per person sharing in Peak Season

Full board basis, including non-motorised water sports, 1 guided Island historical tour and 1 daily transfer to private beach.

Children of all ages are welcome

Activities include historical & cultural tours of Ibo, mangrove trips, private sandbank beach trips with breakfast or brunch (not to be missed!), sea kayaking along the mangrove canals once cut by slaves, snorkelling, traditional dhow trips, scuba diving (please pre-book), birding (Ibo has 10 Red Listed bird species), fly fishing or just watching the sun set into the Indian Ocean from the rooftop bar or having a traditional massage.

Ibo Island Lodge employs about 30 permanent staff, each supporting about 20 people from their extended family. The Lodge therefore directly affect around 600 people's lives on Ibo. In addition, food supplies and services are sourced from Ibo Island itself.

Ibo Island Lodge is also involved in a tourism skills training programme, a marine turtles research & conservation project focussing on supporting international research into turtle biology & ecology, a market garden agriculture project involving ancient Arab coffee plantations and production of fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits for Ibo Island Lodge and the Silversmiths' jewelers projest. Traditional silversmiths hand craft exquisite intricate jewellery using ancient Arab techniques and tools. The lodge facilitates the distribution of their jewellery outside of Ibo Island. Of course, guest can visit the silversmiths and commission a piece of jewellery if they wish to do so.

NO credit card facilities are available at Ibo Island Lodge. Please note cash in US$ OR local currency ONLY can be used for all extras.

Each villa has a private veranda overlooking the ocean. Electricity is supplied by two generators, available at certain times of the day and night and hours are subject to change according to weather and lodge requirements.

The following taxes are payable at Ibo Island Lodge:
Pemba Departure Tax: US$8 per person
Quirimbas National Park Entry Fee: US$8 per person
Ibo Development Tax: US$2 per person

Package discount valid all 2009:
3 nights Ibo Island Lodge in combination with 4 nights Guludo. For further details please check Mozambique Culture & Beach (8 days)