Machangulo Beach Lodge

Machangulo Peninsula / Mozambique

Nestled between white sand dunes, tropical forests, and the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean Machangulo Beach Lodge is a unique African retreat. Situated in Southern Mozambique and surrounded by miles of untouched beaches, here untamed nature, beautiful accommodation and friendly service are brought together to create a blissful barefoot luxury hideaway.

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What to love

A barefoot luxury beach retreat with a secluded desert island feel close to Maputo.
A friendly and intimate resort with just 17 rooms and villas.
Stunning natural beauty with miles of untouched beaches and untamed nature to explore.
A paradise for nature lovers the area is rich in wildlife including whales, turtles, dolphins and a huge variety of birds.
There is an excellent range of activities on offer enabling guests to explore the natural surroundings and get up close to the local flora and fauna.

What to know

Machangulo Beach Lodge is one of the most easily accessible beach lodges in Mozambique situated just 90 mins from Maputo by boat.
The lodge guests will enjoy pristine beaches, untamed natural beauty and magnificent wildlife.
The lodge is surrounded by 5 marine and nature reserves providing excellent diving and snorkelling; a PADI dive centre caters for beginner to advanced divers.
There is a choice of rooms and villas both on the hillside and by the beach with great options for couples, honeymooners, families and groups.

Description

Machangulo Beach Lodge boasts a stunning natural setting tucked away at the tip of a beautiful secluded peninsula. Nestled between sand dunes and natural forest, the lodge is situated a mere 90 minutes speed boat ride from Maputo and is the most accessible beach lodge in Mozambique. However although Machangulo is on the mainland, the relative inaccessibility by road and being surrounded by miles of untouched natural beaches gives the lodge a secluded private island feel.

There is a choice of accommodation types from Ocean View Rooms to Villas located on the hillside and by the beach that provide comfortable and relaxing accommodation for romantic couples and families alike. Machangulo has a stunning thatched lounge furnished with African artefacts and vibrant colours and a charming Dhow bar and the delightful thatched restaurant provides guests with spectacular views whilst they enjoy delicious freshly prepared Mozambique cuisine featuring fresh seafood as well as African and international dishes.

Machangulo’s friendly staff members take great pride in sharing their knowledge of the plentiful local fauna and flora. There is a wide variety of outdoor activities on offer to enable guests to get up-close with the local wildlife which includes great white pelicans, flamingos and African fish eagles. Dolphins and humpback whales frequent the waters here from June to December and can often be spotted offshore. There are also superb snorkelling and diving spots to explore both close to shore and on the surrounding reefs.

However guests seeking to relax and enjoy their beautiful surroundings can visit the outdoor pool, take in the views from a hammock or indulge in a body treatment in the ocean view spa.

When to Travel
The Machangulo peninsula is generally good to visit all year round with rain experienced from December to the end of March. The whale season runs from July to November.

Location
Machangulo Beach Lodge is one of the most easily accessible beach lodges in Mozambique. Tucked away at the tip of the beautiful Machangulo peninsula in Southern Mozambique, the lodge is nestled between white sand dunes, tropical forests and the strikingly clear Indian Ocean. Situated a mere 90 minutes from Maputo by boat, the lodge offers the pristine beauty of an island style destination with the convenience of being located near the island's capital.

The nearest airport is Maputo, Mozambique. There are direct flights from Johannesburg to Maputo airport which take approx. 1 hour. It is then a short transfer to Maputo Marina followed by a speed boat transfer to the Lodge which takes approximately 60-90 minutes with a good chance of spotting dolphins and flamingoes en route. There’s no jetty so you’ll be in for a wet landing on arrival but the water is only ankle-deep. Road transfers can be arranged from Kruger Mpaumalanga Airport (Nelspruit) or from game lodges in the Kruger National Park to Maputo Marina.

Great For

BeachFamilyWater-sportsWildlife-SafarisScuba-divingCouples

Facilities

Swimming-PoolSpa-WellnessPrivate-swimming-poolCooking-facilities

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Family

Machangulo Beach Resort is an excellent choice for families seeking to enjoy activities, water sports and explore the beautiful natural surroundings.

Families can enjoy snorkelling, diving, kayaking and dhow cruises as well as local cultural tours. However the highlight for most families is a picnic snorkelling trip in the Inhaca Island Marine reserve.

Family Villas are perfect for families. They have excellent beach access and have two separate sleeping areas, a kitchenette, living and dining space and a private pool. Family villas sleep up to four adults and two children.

Facilities and activities for families

Swimming Pools: There is an outdoor pool surrounded by wooden decking with sun loungers and comfortable chairs.

Activities: Machangulo Beach Lodge offers a superb range of activities that can be booked and paid for locally.The Marine Reserve surrounding the Machangulo Peninsula offers excellent diving and snorkelling and the lodge has a PADI dive centre that caters for beginner to advanced divers with instructors, full equipment and boats. Guests can also enjoy kayaking, bird watching, cultural tours to Santa Maria, Inhaca Island and Maputo, dhow sailing trips including sunset cruises, world class fishing both on and off shore and whale watching from June to December.

Picnic Snorkel to the Inhaca Marine Reserve: The most popular activity at Machangulo is a picnic snorkeling trip in the Inhaca Island Marine reserve which boasts 2km of pristine snorkelling.

Santa Maria: Visit the small village of Santa Maria nestled behind the mangroves. Experience local living in an authentic village and enjoy a scrumptious lunch at the local restaurant, Bemugi’s Place.

Inhaca Island: This delightful island is home to only one village, aptly named Inhaca Village where some shops and restaurants can be found. The island has more of a tourist feel to it and is much more populated than the Machangulo area.

Kayaking: The diverse biospheres surrounding Machangulo Beach are best explored by Kayak. Paddling through the estuaries and the bays or even the offshore reefs promises some amazing encounters with nature which may include dolphins.

Birdwatching: An incredibly rich bird life surrounds Machangulo Beach Lodge all year round. From the Great White Pelicans to the majestic African Fish Eagle, the area provides ample opportunity for excellent birding. You can explore the bird life on foot, boat, kayak or even whilst lounging at the lodge.The area is classified as an important bird area by Bird Life International and is the perfect compliment to a birding safari in South Africa.

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