Accomodation in Pemba and Quirimbas Archipelago
Just off the coast of Mozambique’s most northerly province the Cabo Delgado is the Quirimbas Archipelago a chain of 32 islands stretching from the coastal town of Pemba almost 100km up to the border with Tanzania. This unspoilt wilderness offers some of the world’s finest diving and fishing.
Pemba is the capital city of the province, the bay here is said to be the largest in the world. It is
also renowned as being a prime destination for water sport and diving enthusiasts as the coral reef lies close to the shore. The abundant fishing waters at St Lazarus Banks are also within easy reach. There are many pristine, white beaches along the coast, including the famous Wimbe beach to the north.
In central Pemba there is an authentic local market or Souk, where arts and crafts, as well as traditional silverware can be bought - a bargain hunter's delight.
Matemo Island Resort
Situated in the magnificent Quirimbas Archipelago off the coast of Northern Mozambique, the remote Island of Matemo offers an idyllic Mozambique island experience. Accommodation consists of a total of 24 thatched chalets with en-suite bathrooms fitted with indoor shower and separate bath as well as a private outdoor shower. All chalets are beautifully furnished and are equipped with air conditioning, outdoor hammock, ceiling fans, fully mosquito screened, hair dryer, mini bar, personal electronic safe, satellite TV and the convenience of tea/coffee making facilities.
Matemo is 8 km in length and 3 km wide - a magical destination with private beaches and countless coves to be discovered. The waters off Matemo Island are of such a superb standard that you need not be a scuba diver to enjoy the amazing diversity of the marine riches. There are a number of excellent sites where snorkellers will be able to appreciate the stunning tropical reefs, whales, dolphins, marine turtles and other exotic marine life. Self-guided snorkelling takes place off the beach to the coral areas and sand flats; guided snorkelling to the reefs by boat. Other activities available include water skiing, wake- and knee- boarding, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, star gazing, bird watching, hiking trails & sunset cruises.
The excursion to Ibo Island by boat is a mere 20 to 30 minutes, during which time dolphins may be encountered. The tour begins at the age-old harbour followed by a gentle walk through the city and then on to the fort, where locally made jewellery is on sale. The guide will provide you with historical information during the 3-hour journey.
Medjumbe Island
Located on the remote Medjumbe Island of the Quirimbas Archipelago in Northern Mozambique - Medjumbe Island Resort is the ideal tropical Mozambique island getaway for those who wish to experience a private island haven unique to Africa. The island is only 1km in length and 500m in width. The small bays and coves, complete with white beaches surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean are ideal for diving enthusiasts. The island is teeming with bird life, including the Black Heron.
The Medjumbe Resort accommodation consists of 13 deluxe thatched chalets with en-suite bathrooms fitted with indoor shower and separate bath as well as a private outdoor shower. All chalets are beautifully furnished and are equipped with air conditioning, outdoor hammock, ceiling fans, full mosquito screens, hair dryer, mini bar, personal electronic safe, satellite TV and the convenience of tea/coffee making facilities. Chalets are set separately from the main building where one can dine on sublime local seafood fare, relax at the swimming pool and enjoy exotic cocktails at the bar. Leisure fishing is offered as an activity with the opportunity of hooking a Marlin, sailfish, dogtooth tuna, mackerel, various species of kingfish and the infamous bonefish.
Pemba Lodge
The recently extended Pemba Beach Hotel is the only deluxe hotel situated on the outskirts of Pemba, the capital of the far-northern province of the country. Pemba is located on the world's third largest deepwater harbour, just 240km from the border with Tanzania. Pemba is an ideal exploration destination, and is also the gateway to the pristine Quirimbas Island Archipelago, consisting of 32 unspoiled and un-commercialised islands, which offer superb game fishing and diving. The region is steeped in Portuguese colonial and Arabian trader history with unique attractions such as nearby Ibo Island and Mozambique Island, a World Heritage site.
Pemba Beach Hotel is located on Wimbe Beach on the outskirts of the sleepy town of Pemba. All of the 60 rooms have magnificent ocean views, and facilities include restaurant, bar, infinity pool, conference venue, business centre, activities centre, floodlit tennis courts as well as a yacht marina. In addition to the hotel's rooms, there are also eight 2-bedroomed self-contained luxury villas available for families and long-stay guests to enjoy. Activities include a wide range of water sports, diving and big game fishing, ocean cruises, excursions to the forests across the bay where elephants have roamed for generations. City tours and visits to the nearby islands can also be arranged.
Quilalea
Quilálea Island is only 34 hectares in area and lies alongside a deep 70 metre channel with direct access to the Indian Ocean. The island forms part of the Quirimbas Archipelago, which stretches from Pemba to the Rovuma River, the natural frontier with Tanzania. Accommodation on this uninhabited island is in 9 private and spacious villas which are constructed entirely with indigenous materials and handcrafted timber, opening onto a private verandah with panoramic sea views overlooking the sparkling Indian Ocean.
The snorkeling and scuba diving here is spectacular, unusually the island offers diving from the beach in water temperatures ranging between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius. Other activities include kayaking and dhow sailing along the mangrove channels, bird and whale watching in season, deep sea sport fishing and day trips to historic Ibo Island and cultural tours can also be arranged.
The dining area and lounge are situated to benefit from sunrise and sunset overlooking the sea and provide menus based on fresh fish and seafood prepared in the traditional Mozambican style complimented with wonderful South African wines. Alfresco lunches and dinners can also be served on pristine beaches around the island.
Vamizi Lodge
Vamizi Lodge is situated on the northern side of Maluane Island looking towards Rongui from the end of a long powder-sand beach.
The 10 thatched beach houses, each have their own large living room, bathroom and breezy veranda. They all face the sea from the shade of the forest that forms the centre of the island. Samango monkeys play in the trees and prowl the glades, hunting the land crabs that live there. The emphasis of Vamizi Island Lodge is on space and openness, with large rooms and high ceilings and has been designed to complement the environment and to cause as little damage to it as possible. The construction uses almost entirely local materials - timber, thatch and stone all come from the mainland or the islands themselves - thus providing help to the local economy.
The bathrooms have a solid slab of marble forming the wall of the shower, and hand-carved screens, which provide the privacy, and aesthetic detail of a Zanzibar palace. The bedrooms have king-size four-poster beds with freestanding frames draped in beautiful natural muslin mosquito nets. The private lounges lead off from the bedrooms like giant verandas, with deep cane couches and colonial-style planter's chairs for relaxing in.
Marine activities include world-class blue water fishing and fly fishing, as well as scuba diving and snorkelling in some of the most pristine coral reefs of the Indian Ocean.