Vamizi Island Lodge

Vamizi Island Lodge

Vamizi, the most northerly island in the Quirimbas Archipelago is in a class of its own. Ten luxurious 175m2 houses are spread along a pristine white sandy beach, all built in the eclectic style so typical of this area – with Arabian influences reflected in the African architecture. The houses are nestled in between the swaying acacia and casuarina trees and are set back from the private beach-front so as not to disturb the turtles who nest here and who make this island so special. There are also two larger beach house suites each with two en-suite bedrooms with a shared sitting area – perfect for families or groups.

Although not air-conditioned, the houses have king size beds draped in muslin, with Egyptian cotton sheets and paddle fans to keep you cool, and the intricate and ornate wooden lattice work keeps the breeze flowing through. The decadent bathrooms are built using marble and in keeping with the ecological credentials and aspirations of the project the majority of the construction material was sourced from local sustainable materials.

Step out of the house on to the 8km endless stretch of white velvet sand beach for a stroll, and swim in the warm azure waters at both high and low tides. The snorkelling and diving around Vamizi are spectacular thanks to the conservation work in progress to protect the corals and the sea-life. In addition to the prolific sea-life, the island is home to an endemic species of dwarf python, the Samango monkey and the giant yet intriguing coconut crabs. The turtle season is from July to April, and expect to see whales between July and October. For those who prefer to remain above water, there is deep sea fishing, sea kayaking, exploring the secret coves, dhow trips, and coastal forest walks.

Transfers from Pemba are a one hour and ten minute flight over the spectacular string of islands in the Quirimbas Archipelago directly to Vamizi’s airstrip for $200 per person each way. Guests are restricted to 12kgs per person in soft bags including hand luggage for the light air transfers.

Activities at
Vamizi

Scuba Diving, skin diving & Snorkelling

PADI Dive Courses

Sailing

Fishing

Bird watching

Dolphin watching

Whale watching
(in season)

Sea kayaking

Excursion to Rongui island

Boat trip around Vamizi island

Sunset dhow cruises

Full day on private beach with picnic

Rates

$499 per person sharing during mid season:
10 Jan – 31 Mar
$599 per person sharing during high season:
1 Apr – 9 Dec
$650 per person sharing during peak season:
1 Aug – 31 Aug

Single supplements do apply. Rates include all meals, drinks, laundry, guided activities & use of non-motorised water sports. Children are welcome.

Kaskazini offers regular specials to Mozambican residents and SADC members, contact us for more details.

MALUANE

Maluane covers a vast area comprising the three islands of Vamizi, Rongui and Macaloe, a 35 kilometre long coastal strip and a 33,000-hectare inland safari area – the Messalo Wildlife Area, named after the Messalo River that borders the north of the concession. In these 33,000 hectares of unspoiled bush lion, leopard and elephant live in completely pristine surroundings. Maluane has coastal forest, miombo woodland, acacia and palm savannah, lake and river, so visitors will see wildlife including sable antelope, wild dog and elephant, with the added excitement of discovering new endemic species. The area’s variety of birds is already recognised as being outstanding. Tourism has never impinged on the area before and Maluane will maintain the highest ecological standards.

Vamizi Island Lodge was founded in 1998 by Christopher Cox and Dr Julie Garnier. It is part of the Cabo Delgado Biodiversity project which runs in conjunction with the London Zoological Society to preserve some of the most pristine coral reefs, and supports other conservation projects such as turtle programmes and marine life counts.

Maluane's community-based and scientifically-sound conservation work began in 2001 and they continue to make significant discoveries. Maluane has a large elephant population, a wide diversity of antelope species, a growing number of predators and unrivalled marine life, which includes many endangered species. On the islands equal care has been taken, firstly, to conserve and, secondly, to enhance the eco-system.

Maluane (which takes its name from the cloth woven by the people of Vamizi which they dyed blue from the indigo on the island), has worked with local leadership structures on the mainland to monitor conflict between human and elephant populations and to help educate agricultural communities in good environmental practice. Inland, Maluane has helped farmers to protect their crops and villages against marauding elephants by encouraging the cultivation of buffer protective crops like red hot peppers, which have been found very effective. The scrupulous reporting of elephant destruction incidents is helping those concerned to comprehend the origins of human/elephant conflict in the area.

A recent coral survey undertaken in conjunction with the Zoological Society of London by marine biologists from the Great Barrier Reef, the UK and the University of Maputo, concluded that the coral reefs surrounding both Vamizi and Rongui were of exceptional diversity and pristine condition.

The dive teams are constantly surveying the coral gardens and sea grass beds that surround the islands to identify both sites suitable for divers of all levels and the abundant and diverse marine life. Already – in conjunction with Mozambican scientists and with researchers from the Zoological Society of London – they have recorded five species of turtle, calving hump-back whales, basking whale sharks, and a variety of oceanic wildlife unrivalled on the East African coast.