Quirimbas archipelago

The stunning Quirimbas archipelago lies in the Indian Ocean off the coast of northern Mozambique approximately 500 miles due east of Lilongwe in Malawi and 70 miles from the mainland city of Pemba, which is served on a regular basis by three different airlines and is 2 ½ hours flying time from Johannesburg. Guests normally reach the archipelago by short charter flight from Pemba or by a combination of road transfer and boat crossing. The Quirimbas archipelago consists of 27 islands, 11 of which fall within a National Park, including Quilalea, Ibo and Vamazi.

Ibo Island lodge overlooks an elegant waterfront where dhows put out to sea at high tide, as they have been doing since this island first became used as a trading post around 600AD. The lodge has been adapted from a 100 year old mansion with tall ceilings, exposed coral walls, original teak beams, and traditional tiled floors and is set amongst beautiful tropical gardens of palm, bougainvillea and frangipani, with a large rim flow swimming pool 50 metres from the ocean. Undisturbed for centuries, the 8 mile long Ibo island remains forgotten by the outside world with no vehicles and very few tourists. Activities here include daily excursions to a perfect powder white sand beach (there is no beach at the lodge itself), historical tours of the island, bird watching mangrove excursions, kayaking, sailing and swimming. Dinner is served each evening in the magical roof terrace restaurant.

The tiny 35 hectare island of Quilalea is a unique marine sanctuary, fringed with pristine beaches where nine private villas imaginatively built from indigenous materials overlook the India Ocean. The island has its own marine pavilion and a fully equipped fishing and dive resort. Activities include superb deep sea fishing, diving in pristine sites, exploring the mangrove channels surrounding Sencar island by canoe, and visits to the historical and culturally rich nearby Ibo Island.

Vamizi Island Lodge is located on the northern side of Vamizi Island and comprises ten secluded beach houses overlooking the India Ocean from beneath shady groves of trees that are home to Samango monkeys. The emphasis here is on space and indigenous materials, with palm thatched roofs and king sized bedrooms draped with fine muslin leading to giant verandas furnished with wicker chairs and soft cushions. Marine activities include world-class blue water fishing, as well as scuba diving and snorkelling in some of the most pristine coral reefs of the Indian Ocean