Kellys amazing holiday to Mozambique
Safari Club – Johannesburg
After an overnight flight on British Airways to Johannesburg I was met and transferred about ten minutes to the Safari Club where I stayed for one night.
Vamizi Island – Mozambique
After a restful night I was ready to begin my onward journey. The connection from Johannesburg to Pemba was straight forward. The journey was long due to having to stop at Maputo to buy a visa ($25) and clear customs; however there are direct flights on certain days of the week which I would recommend. On arrival into Pemba I was met by a Vamizi representative and transferred by one hour light aircraft to the airstrip, the journey was phenomenal and gave me a real insight into what to expect on my adventure in Mozambique. Seeing Vamizi Island from the air was a surreal experience and on landing airstrip I was met and taken thirty minutes by jeep to the lodge. The road journey reminded me of my safari in South Africa, it was hard to believe that I had just landed on a desert island; part of me was waiting for the guide to point out the wildlife.
Approaching the lodge we were met by a smiling group of Vamizi staff with cold flannels and a cool refreshing fruit juice. At that moment I removed my shoes and felt the soft white baking powder sand beneath my feet for the first time – heaven! My first thought after entering the lodge was how blue the sea was, I remember not being able to take my eyes off the sea and white sand in the distance.
The accommodation at Vamizi was very luxurious and each beach house is set roughly seventy meters apart ensuring a romantic hideaway for those seeking total privacy. The thatched villas are furnished with double/twin or king sized beds and each villa has a wonderful marble walk in shower and the spacious decking area completes the luxury of these wonderful villas.
Vamizi offer a wide variety of activities which range from diving, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. For honeymooners they offer private dining and romantic sunset dhow cruises. In fact one honeymoon couple who were there at the same time relayed some of the experiences they had enjoyed and these included a private dinner on the beach, a sunset cruise and a night sleeping under the stars near the lighthouse – amazing I am sure!
I did try my hand at deep sea fishing and usually it isn’t something I thought I would ever do. I can honestly say it was the most fun I have ever had whilst on an activity – especially when the skipper shouted to me that something was on the line. The adrenaline rush that I felt was indescribable. I began to reel the fish in and there before my eyes was a King Mackerel, which I was told to my dismay, weighed only 4.5 kilograms – I am sure it weighed at least 7! We took the fish back to the lodge where they prepared it for lunch – you cannot get fresher than that.
The standard of the cuisine and service was excellent and of course features local seafood including locally caught calamari, lobster, crab and many fish – all of which can be enjoyed in the open sided thatch restaurant or on the beach.
This is a totally barefoot in the sand destination. I didn’t wear my shoes once.
Ibo Island Lodge – Mozambique
After being returned to the Vamizi airstrip we were met and transferred by private charter to Ibo. The most exciting and exhilarating moment of this journey was being able to sit up front with the pilot. The flight was about forty minutes, the wind was high so we were unable to fligh low but again seeing the different islands below me was totally awesome.
Arriving at the airstrip we were again met with cold flannels and a refreshing fruit juice and were then transferred about ten minutes through the village to the lodge. My first impression was “we are in Africa“, it was wonderful seeing the local community and the children’s faces were magical, tehy ran after the vehicle and waved and yelled after us, my face ached from smiling so much, it was a wonderful first insight into Ibo Island.
The lodge is made up of three hundred year old waterfront mansions. The rooms are basic but big and airy – very “hippy chic”. The rooms are air conditioned and also have ceiling fans so that you can open the windows and relax, and of course you can enjoy suberb views across the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Lunch was served in tranquil gardens by the large swimming pool and dinner was served on the roof terrace which was wonderful, the menus were always a surprise; Kissinger – one of our waiters described it with the biggest smile I has ever seen as “land of surprise”.
Although there is no beach at Ibo Lodge itself, we were treated to a spectacular early morning out on the sandbank. After a twenty minute boat journey we were on the sandbank surrounded by sea and soft sand. We could swim or snorkel and all the snorkeling gear was provided. We were then treated to a sumptuous breakfast, a Bedouin style tent was set up and we were served cereal, muffins, fruit and a hot breakfast – all washed down with a glass of champagne to celebrate a birthday.
Ibo is perfect for those looking to spend a few days relaxing and enjoying the historical and cultural aspects – visiting the local villagers in their homes and visiting the witch doctor and admiring the craft work and intricate jewellry making.
I enjoyed my stay at Ibo and loved being at the centre of the local community and seeing the children’s smiling faces. The managers were wonderful hosts and could not do enough for us – along with their exceptional staff – a truly magical island.
Quilalea - Mozambique
Leaving Ibo Island in the early afternoon, we were transferred forty minutes by boat to Quilalea. The ocean was choppy but the boat journey was fun and adventurous. Although we probably could have gone by plane, the boat journey added to the adventure and definitely had the upper hand of any of the other islands – stepping off the boat and on to the white sand was spectacular. As we were approaching the island, I was totally blown away by the beauty of the island and again several smiling faces were waiting to greet us. Our welcome drink was just what we needed to wash the salty taste of the ocean away – soda with lime, honey and mint.
After being welcomed, we were taken to the bar area for tea and biscuits. Sitting by the bar area with a view out to the sea really was amazing and something that will stay with me forever, I loved everything about it. We were then taken to our villas. The rooms are in typical African style with a massive bed, a spacious patio at the front with comfy sun loungers and a breathtaking sea view. This is the perfect destination for those seeking that romantic hideaway!
Qiulalea offers a wide range of complimentary activities including kayaking, snorkeling, island nature walks, dhow and sunset cruises, picnics and island excursions to Sencar. Additional activities include fishing, diving, island excursions, sailing and charters, helicopter flights, whale watching and massages.
Quilalea Island is a special place – these special memories will stay with me forever.
Londo Lodge - Mozambique
Departing Quilalea we were transferred by boat and road to the airstrip. Connecting with a light aircraft flight we were then transferred to Pemba, a flight of around forty minutes. On arrival we were met by Peter, the owner of Londo Lodge and transferred by road to the beach where we were then transferred by boat to the lodge.
From a distance the lodge looked absolutely stunning and I am pleased to say that on arrival; I was not dissapointed, it had truly breathtaking views. We were welcomed with a fruit coktail by friendly staff. My first impression really was how “at home” I felt – this family run lodge really go out of their way to make people feel comfortable and settled. The setting was wonderful with views across the bay.
We were shown to our rooms which were spacious and elegantly designed and decorated, again with a patio overlooking the ocean with wicker chairs and lanterns – even an outdoor bathroom which was a real treat. The grounds are immaculately kept and the lanterns along the path at night are a really nice touch to guide you home to bed at the end of another day in paradise!
Londo offer an array of activities, both bush and beach – scuba diving, deep sea fishing, dolphin and whale watching, water skiing, mangrove river trips, village and turtle beach walks and romantic sunset dhow cruises. Londo is a hideaway retreat with a wonderful atmosphere, a beautiful setting, amazing food and great hosts!
After a wonderful breakfast of fresh fruit, cereals and pancales we said our farewells and boarded the boat for our final journey to Pemba – dolphins even emerged to bid us farewell.
During my journey home I had to reflect on my travels and felt completely bowled over from the memories I held of Mozambique and was well and truly sold. It is a very special place and somewhere I hope to return to one day – it is the perfect destination for honeymooners and those romantic travellers seeking out romantic hideaways.
