SAFARI DIVER dive mozambique whalesharks mantas

Specialists in Southern African diving and safari holidays

Dive Mozambique: Accommodation

Gavin Parsons: African photographic tour

See Gavin Parsons' article on diving Mozambique and South African safari which appeared in Diver magazine November 2007

INHAMBANE AREA: Africa at it's unspoilt best... not 5-star resorts but simple chalets designed to blend in to their beautiful, natural settings. Enjoy the sound of the ocean as it lulls you to sleep at night...

Barra Lodge: Barra has secluded, unspoilt beaches bordered by the Inhambane estuary on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. The lodge is nestled among groves of coconut trees and most rooms have exquisite beach and sea views.

Accommodation is comfortable with various options of accommodation to meet individual needs: twin-bedded and quad-bedded Casitas, self-catering cottages with 2 separate bedrooms and a lounge/dining room/kitchen, and bunk houses (for students/backpackers or well-acquainted groups!). The traditional Casitas are made of thatch, brick and reeds creating a charming atmosphere.

Catamaran yacht: a luxury 33 foot, live-aboard catamaran offers unforgettable day trips. The yacht moors alongside coral reefs for snorkelling and diving and cruises the flat waters of the estuary, stopping for a picnic on a secluded beach before gently heading for home. It can also be chartered as a luxurious live-aboard yacht for a few days.

Facilities: restaurant serving fresh seafood, meat and vegetable dishes, beach bar offering pub lunches and excellent pizzas for a day-time snack, swimming pool, a small convenience shop. Activities: local area quad-bike tours, scuba diving, snorkelling trips, dhow trips, ocean safaris, charter boat fishing, Inhambane city tours, horse riding.

Adjacent to the lodge is a salt water mangrove with clear waters one can explore by boat or on foot. This ecosystem is made up of a fascinating chain of pioneering and sacrificial plants together with a huge array of crustaceans. Flocks of flamingos, the local fish traps and stunning sunsets over the estuary make it a photographers dream.

Flamingo Bay Water Lodge: Across the estuary lies Flamingo Bay Lodge. This is the younger, more glamorous sister of Barra Lodge! Opened in March 2005, this water village has been built on stilts and consists of 20 luxury water chalets connected by wooden walkways. Each chalet has a balcony, air conditioning, tea/coffee facilities and en suite bathroom.

Facilities: swimming pool, restaurant, library/lounge, coffee shop, restaurant, bar, curio shop, conference centre and internet facilities. No children under 12. Activities: local area quad-bike tours, scuba diving, snorkelling trips, dhow trips, ocean safaris, charter boat fishing, Inhambane city tours, horse riding, kayaking.

Tofo Beach: Accommodation is in beach-front chalets with a braai [BBQ] area and views overlooking the bay with its miles of golden sandy beaches. The launch site for diving is in front of the chalets which are available as single, twin or double occupancy and are serviced daily. Tofo Beach may be less unspoilt than Barra or Flamingo but it is better placed for diving, being on the same side of the peninsular as Manta Reef, Giants Castle and Sherwood Forest.

POMENE: 5 hours' drive north from Inhambane lies Pomene. The lodge is set in an eco-nature reserve with unspoilt white sand beaches on the edge of a estuary mangrove. The lodge consists of a main building which houses reception, restaurant, bar and swimming pool and several stand-alone casitas including group accommodation/bathroom, camping baracas (basic shelters with electrical points) and twin-room with en suite bathrooms. The lodge runs on generator power which is turned off overnight so if you want a back-to-nature experience, this is the place to go...

VILANCULOS AREA: Close to Bazaruto Island (becoming famous as the playground of the wealthy), Vilanculos features an unspoilt nature reserve with a hint of luxury.

Dugong Beach Lodge: With just 10 luxuriously appointed framed tented rooms finished with hardwood floors, en-suite bathrooms, huge feature baths and outside showers under thatched Jekka grass canopies. Guest rooms have two twin beds or one king-size bed and are equipped with hair-drier, fans and mosquito nets; all open onto a private patio.

Lodge facilities include the bar (open daily and offering poolside refreshments), the lounge (equipped with TV monitor and DVD player), fresh-water swimming pool and a boardwalk jetty. The gazebo located at the end of the jetty is the perfect setting for sundowners or private dinners.

Pool at Barra Lodge