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Pemba Bay   Inhambane   Vilanculos  

Vilanculos Accommodation

Vilanculos is a stepping-stone to the 3 main islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago (Bazaruto, Benguerra and Magaruque) and truly the only way to discover Mozambique and its beautiful and untouched coastline.

It's only a small seaside town but tourism is well established. It has some beautiful beaches, a lively nightlife and excellent lodges. It is a busy, bustling town with a lively atmosphere and friendly people. There is a great market selling fresh produce and every kind of fish imaginable, plus a number of restaurants serving delicious seafood.

There are plenty of good beaches on the mainland and it is possible to take day trips into the Archipelago by dhow sailing boats or motorised boats for snorkelling and to explore the islands. The Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary covers 30 000 hectares of pristine marine and wildlife territory. This diverse eco-system of bush and wetland, with its powder white beaches and crystal clear water is host to a magnificent array of fish, dolphin and very importantly, the nearly extinct "Dugong".

The coast harbour a mix of mangroves, vast offshore coral reefs, and sea grass beds that provide food resources and habitat for seabird colonies, nesting sea turtles, and numerous fishes.

How to get there?
LAM - Return flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Pelican Air – Daily return flights.

Accomodation
Dugong Beach Lodge

Dugong Lodge is a beautiful, down to earth beach lodge located on the San Sebastian Peninsula with a very friendly atmosphere. The Lodge offers 12 luxuriously chalets with direct access to the beach via individual walkways
The lodge has 10 air-conditioned chalets and two two-bedroom villas stretch along a stunning stretch of coast. The Villas has 2 bedrooms and a plunge pool. All rooms have outdoor showers and twin beds can be converted to double beds, a private deck furnished with day beds for relaxation or wellness treatments and where private dinners can be enjoyed. The chalets are equipped with hairdryer, guest amenities, fans, mosquito nets, ceiling fan, air conditioning, telephone, minibar, mini safe, Tea/Coffee facilities and mosquito repellent.
Due to the remoteness of Dugong Beach Lodge power is obtained from a combination of solar and generator power. The generator operates for a few hours as the sun begins to set until approximately half an hour after the last guest has gone to bed. Limited essential lighting & ceiling fan can still operate after the generator has been switched off due to solar power.
Facilities:  Lounge / Dining Room / Sun Deck / In-Room Wellness Treatments / Jetty / Interflowing Swimming Pool /  Island Bar / Internet Facilities / TV & DVD Player in Main Lounge / Small Library / Curio Shop
Activities: Bangwe Island Excursion / Water Skiing / Margaruque Island Excursion / Windsurfing / Sundowner Cruise / Ocean Safaris / Nature Drives & Walks / Hobie Cat / Cowry Point Excursion / Parasailing / Bird Watching / Diving / Snorkelling / Kayaking / Dhow Cruise / Fishing


 
Casa Rex

Reminiscent of a gracious era with its buildings encompassed in lush gardens. Casa Rex overlooks the southern-central section of Vilanculos Bay. Accommodation is charmingly decorated in an individual style with an emphasis in the lounge and dining areas on custom crafted wood furniture and fittings.
The 2 Premium rooms are complete with a double bed, en-suite bath/shower, fan, tea & coffee making facility, mosquito nets and a private terrace. The Honeymoon Suite has a double bed, en-suite shower, private dressing area, fans, mosquito nets, tea & coffee making facilities and large private terrace. There are also 8 Acacia rooms with the 4 downstairs room’s offer 2 x single beds, en-suite shower, air-conditioning, fans, tea & coffee making facilities, mini-bar, internet connection and private balcony. The 4 upstairs rooms has a double bed, en-suite shower, air-conditioning, fans, tea & coffee making facilities, mini-bar, internet connection and a private balcony. The 4 Courtyard Suites is perfect for families as these large rooms comfortably accommodate extra beds. 2 upstairs and 2 downstairs suites each with a double bed, en-suite bath and shower, air-conditioning, fans, tea & coffee making facilities, internet access, mini-bar and private balcony with unsurpassed ocean views.
The renowned a la carte restaurant offers a magnificent array of fresh seafood dishes and both local and imported wines. Sip sundowners on the terrace or refresh yourself in the swimming pool overlooking the harbour.
Facilities: 2 Salt water swimming pools / ADSL internet access throughout the hotel / Free transport to and from activities within Vilanculos
Activities: Diving / Snorkeling / Whale & Dolphin watching - July – Sept / Dhow trips to the Bazaruto Archipelago / Sunset cruise / Canoeing  / Sailing  /Waterskiing / Donut  / Visit to the Vilanculos market area  / Guided village walk / Guided island walks  / Bird watching  / Horse riding / Massages

 
Rio Azul Beach Lodge

Enjoy an unforgettable Mozambique holiday at Rio Azul. Rio Azul meaning “Blue River” is located on the banks of the Govuro River, overlooking the estuary and about 2km from the river mouth. Rio Azul Beach Resort faces west in paradise and enjoys spectacular sunsets in a quiet and peaceful setting. Ideal for fly fishing, shore based fishing, estuary fishing and offshore fishing Rio Azul is Mozambique’s premier fishing lodge choice when looking for a great Mozambique holiday or family beach holiday.
Rio Azul main lodge area consists of a lounge, dining room and bar area with a big wooden deck in front and a plunge pool. The view from the bar is possibly one of the most spectacular in Africa.
The accommodation includes six twin chalets and two luxury villas which sleep six adults and six children. Each villa has its own swimming pool and is situated along pristine beach shores. The accommodation chalets comprise of twin, three quarter beds and en-suite bathrooms. Each chalet has a wooden deck overlooking the estuary. Beds are equipped with mosquito nets.
Rio Azul Lodge Mozambique offers an exquisite range of delights; freshly caught fish, calamari, lobster, Mozambique prawns and crab are on offer regularly, tantalizingly prepared together with exotic Portuguese spices and traditional cuisine. Meals are relaxed affairs served in our dining area where you are always assured of unsurpassed personal attention. A “dining under the stars” experience can be arranged for private parties or romantic dinners, as well as picnics on the beach.
The lodge has a small shop that sells items such as batteries, sun block, fishing shirts, sunglasses, hats, lures, line and other fishing tackle. The lodge has electricity supplied by a generator and plug points for charging camera batteries etc. Each room has a digital safe to store passports and other valuables.
Activities: Snorkeling / Dhow boat trips / Bird watching / Saltwater Sea Fishing / Lure fishing / Big game fishing. Surf fishing/ Fly fishing / Kayaking / Sundowner cruise on a local Dhow / Trips to BD Island

 
Vilanculos Beach Lodge

Vilanculos Beach Lodge offers scenic surroundings, vibrant nature and exquisite cuisine that Mozambique has to offer. The lodge is constructed from natural indigenous elements of thatch and local hardwood sambiri poles which have been combined in perfect harmony with plaster walls and wood frame doors and windows. The result is the relaxed yet stylish finish. The property extends right on to the beach and the lodge buildings are set back about 100m up the ridge, overlooking the sea.
The Luxury Chalets are positioned on the 100m drop to the beach; each patio faces the ocean and offers exceptional views of the sunrise over the ocean. Construction of the chalets is of indigenous hardwood sambiri pole and thatch; plaster walls with wooden frame windows and doors; and combinations of highly polished hardwood and cemcrete floors. Frameless glass shower doors and interesting vanity features incorporating traditional beer barrel bases with impressive hardwood counter tops have been included in the design of the interior. Large glass doors and windows allow an abundance of natural light to enter the rooms and offer fantastic views of the ocean from each chalet. A well-placed desk and counter top serves a practical purpose while adding a local element of high gloss wood and traditional beer barrel to the room. All units are fitted with separate air conditioning, mosquito nets, hairdryers, shaver plug points, electronic safes, fridges and coffee and tea stations.
The Presidential Suite, built on stilts, offers superb views of the ocean and islands in the distance. It has two en-suite rooms a comfortable open plan lounge and bar as well as a spacious covered patio. Floors in the Presidential Suite are cemcrete with interesting tile inlays. Construction of the unit comprises plaster walls, high volume thatched roof with wood framed doors and large folding louver doors off the lounge. The air-conditioned rooms are large and comfortably appointed with mosquito nets, desk, arm chairs, luggage racks, hairdryers and electronic safes. The en-suite bathrooms, boast open shower, double vanity, toilet and a bidet. The lounge has large folding doors which, when open, offer unobstructed views of the ocean. The bar counter provides a comfortable place to relax in private with friends and family.
The Main Building houses the lounge, reception, main bar, restaurant and kitchen .This thatched structure invites you to unwind in the comfort of its open spaces and passages which lead into the garden, allowing for a refreshing escape and uninterrupted views of the sea. The large comfortable couches in the lounge provide the perfect place to relax indoors and the main bar is equally well-positioned overlooking the lush gardens, palm trees and pool in the distance.
The spacious restaurant offers the choice of dining in doors, or out on the patio under well-designed, attractive shade sails. For true outdoor dining, the option of dining under the palm trees or next to the pool is available. An impressive chandelier, adds an element of interest within the building. Traditional Mozambican and standard Western fare are served, but fresh, scrumptious seafood remains the specialty. A pizza oven situated near the pool bar offers authentic wood-cooked cuisine year round.
Facilities: Infinity pool / Pool bar / Dive Centre

What to see
The Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary offers a large bay, tidal sand flats, an estuarine lagoon, sea grass beds, freshwater lakes, extensive mangrove swamps and reed swamps. Add to this coral and rocky reefs (with over 400 species of fishes), idyllic sandy beaches and forested dunes. With 275 species of birds and several rare reptiles. The breathtaking Sanctuary forms the southernmost portion of the spectacular Bazaruto Archipelago.

What to do
Deep Sea Fishing
Vilanculos and the Bazaruto Archipelago area has some of the best game fishing in the world.

Diving & Snorkelling
The islands of the Bazaruto are a diverse home for both land and marine creatures including red duiker, bushbuck, samango monkey, as well as the elegant manta rays, whalesharks and the mermaids of the sea, the dugong. Below the water an immense variety of hard and soft corals flourish providing a diverse and productive ecosystem. Marine life includes many brightly coloured tropical fish, sea horses, triggerfish, wrass, and many species of gamefish, sharks and rays.

Dhow trips
Traditional sailing dhow, locally built by hand in the time honored method and comfortably furnished is the idyllic way to watch the sun setting over the sea.

Hiking
The area is lovely for hiking through untouched nature with an incredible bird life. The unspoilt and tranquil beaches are ideal for long scenic beach walks and shell collecting.

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Tel / Fax: +27 (0)12 808 3309 / 997 0208, Email: info@exploreplus.co.za
Postal Address: Postnet Suite 274, Private Bag x4, Menlo Park, Pretoria, 0102
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