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UK: 01473 890499US: 1-800-608-4651
Rating: Deluxe
Escape to stunning unspoiled coastal wilderness in southern Mozambique.
Machangulo Beach Lodge, south of Maputo, nestles in dunes of the Santa Maria Peninsula overlooking the Indian Ocean and Inhaca Island. It is very close to the channel between the island and the mainland. As well as the sand dunes, there are vegetated dunes, and of course there are miles of secluded beaches.
The lodge’s 17 luxury chalets and villas are stylishly furnished each with private decks. Five of the chalets sit high on a ridge and have fabulous ocean and island views, and the other 3 provide great accommodation for families and groups of friends. All are secluded and offer privacy.
During your stay you need do nothing more than relax on the beach or by the pool. If you feel more energetic there are many activities you can consider, mostly linked to the water which is perhaps no surprise given its enviable position! Try fishing, snorkelling (including to a wreck!), diving, kayaking and whale watching (June to November). On dry land you can go for walks along the beach and in the dune forest, take a guided tour of Santa Maria, and go birdwatching, and rockpooling. Staff are happy to arrange special picnic lunches on Machangulo Beach, or further afield if you use the lodge's boat or yahct to sail to Inhaca Island.
Open: Machangulo is open all year.
Location: The lodge is on the Santa Maria Peninsula in the very south of Mozambique, about a 1 hour speed boat ride east of Maputo. Boats depart from Maputo Marina which is about a 20 minute drive from the airport. The boat generally departs Maputo Marina around 13:00, though it is tide and weather dependent. (The reverse journey from the lodge to Maputo Marina usually leaves around 11:00). There is no jetty at Machangulo, so you may need to walk through ankle-deep water at the shore.
Rooms: There are 17 guest rooms in total, each with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito nets, mini bar and private deck, and some have outdoor showers. The 5 premium view ocean rooms chalets are set on a ridge facing the beach and Inhaca Island, and sleep up to 2 adults and 1 child. These rooms are reached by between 20 and 80 steps from the beach. The 2 family villas accommodate up to 4 adults and 2 children, and have 2 en-suite bedrooms linked by a central lounge, bar, dining area and kitchen. They also have plunge pools. The 2 beach villas each consist of 4 en-suite bedrooms and a central lounge-bar-dining area and kitchen, plus a plunge pool, and are ideal for larger families and groups of friends travelling together.
Activities: Relaxation is to the fore at Machangulo, on the beach or by the pool. Swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and kayaking are all available, as are different types of fishing (offshore, channel, fly, spear). Lodge staff can arrange tours of Inhaca Island, Hell's Gate Bay, Maputo city, dhow cruises, and picnic lunches if you are going to be out all day. The sandy beach at Machangulo is ideal for long walks. Wildlife activities such as seasonal whale watching (June to November), turtle nesting (late spring), and birdwatching are popular. Non-motorised and guided activities are free, while others are payable locally. The lodge offers a complimentary laundry service.
Facilities: There is a swimming pool, and the lodge owns two boats which can be hired for a variety of activities such as mentioned above. The spa offers beauty treatments such as facials, body scrubs and wraps, as well as several types of massage. The beach bar supplies drinks and snacks and has the lodge's sole TV.
Dining: The lodge serves 2-course lunches, and 3-course dinners in the dining room and light meals and snacks in the Villa Restaurant on the deck by the pool and overlooking the ocean. There is a wide choice of wines to accompany the food. Meals are eaten at individual tables.
Children: All children are welcome at the lodge. There is a nanny service, a play area, and children’s activities are available. There is a Kiddies Club with a programme of children’s activities. The lodge has a children's menu. Family villas and beach villas provide ideal family accommodation.
Health: This is a malarial area.
Communication: There is free high speed broadband internet and Wi-Fi and a mobile signal.
Note: Machangulo accepts payment in cash Mozambique Metical, US Dollar and South African Rand, and cards Visa and MasterCard only.
Lodge
Camp
Hotel
National Park
Historic site
Place of Interest
UNESCO world heritage site 
Experience the pristine coast and dunes of the Santa Maria Peninsula in southern Mozambique.
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0"Remote, wild, secluded and beautiful. Our room def had the best position - perched on high overlooking the Indian Ocean and Inhaca Island. The many staff (with few visitors during our stay) were friendly and helpful and the food was great - VERY fresh fish every day and a wonderful picnic lunch when we went on the island trip."
Tribes Travel, The Old Dairy, Wood Farm, Ipswich Road,
Otley, Suffolk, IP6 9JW.
Office hours: Monday - Friday: 9am to 5.30pm
Telephone: 01473 890499
