We all have dreams and though they might be different, we can all relate to the same feeling of fulfillment and excitement when they become reality.
Visiting Mozambique was one of our dreams and we are still pinching ourselves to remind us that it was real.
We are so excited to share this reality with you and inspire you to plan your unforgettable trip to Mozambique.
If we have already sparked a new dream for you to visit this unbelievable place on earth, and you may wonder where should you stay, don’t worry we have it covered. Machangulo Beach Lodge is your ultimate dream escape where you will make memories to treasure for a lifetime and experience the real meaning of paradise.
In this pure untouched piece of heaven you can sincerely relax surrounded by endless pristine beaches and immerse yourself into the true vacation state of mind.
Machangulo Beach Lodge fully embodies and compliments the natural surroundings with minimal impact to the environment. Every piece of furniture is made locally on site which supports the local economy, small craftspeople, and decreases the environmental cost of shipping. It is nestled on the unspoiled Machangulo peninsula in the southern most part of Mozambique and perched high on a majestic lush dune forest. Machangulo Beach Lodge has the most splendid sunset views which made our stay utterly heavenly and unforgettable.
Getting to Machangulo Beach Lodge
Although Mozambique may sound far away to some of you it’s actually not that hard to get to. The main airport is in the capital Maputo. There are daily flights from Johannesburg and Durban, as well as from Nairobi, Kenya and Lisbon, Portugal. We highly suggest combining a trip to Portugal and Mozambique ( that’s what we did ) for its easy convenience.
Once you arrive at the airport you can get a visa upon arrival but it’s highly recommended to get one in advance. When booking your stay with Machangulo Beach Lodget, they can send you visa support documents to help you with the immigration process. We had no problem getting one on arrival and it was quick and easy. The visa cost us $35 per person. From the airport it’s a twenty – thirty minute drive to the Maputo Marina where you will hop on the Machangulo Beach Lodge boat for an hour and twenty minute ride to paradise. It is best to have your taxi booked in advance with the Lodge so you don’t have to worry about getting one on your own.
As you approach the lodge, you will be welcomed by the entire staff including the management singing for you on the beach. From the moment you step your bare feet on the sand you will not want to leave. The amazing staff will carry the bags to your villa while you enjoy a fresh welcoming drink and receiving information about the Lodge.
Everywhere you look you will be wowed by the untouched beauty and the tranquillity of the place. You will immediately believe that paradise does exist. The genuine smiles and good energy from the entire staff will make you feel right at home.
The Rooms
The rooms are situated among the sand dunes with astounding views and are only seconds away from the beach. Every room has it’s own private patio and furniture where you can unwind and appreciate the beautiful moment. Our room was substantial in size including a huge bed enclosed by a mosquito canopy, a fantastic indoor and outdoor showers, safe box, organic bath products, and everything you could possibly need.
The Grounds
The best part was that you can totally immerse yourself in the true vacation state of mind by either just relaxing on the beach, or by taking advantage of all the amazing activities they offer: snorkeling, kayaking through mangrove forests, fishing, scuba, island or local village visits, SUP boarding, dune hiking, and much more.
We truly enjoyed walking on the beach for miles, with no other soul to be seen and taking hikes through the magnificent sand dunes.
One of our favorite activities was the romantic picnic on a secluded part of the Inhaca Island. We took a short 5 minute boat ride across to a lovely beach with a crystal clear calm water. There, we found a canopy with two beach chairs already set up for us. It was simply perfect, a beautiful scenery with no one around.
While there, you can have a fantastic snorkeling session to work up your appetite until you get delivered a freshly made delicious 3 course lunch. It felt like royal service and it was a remarkable experience.
Speaking of food, we can tell you that we were pleasantly surprised by the great variety of vegan options. Traveling as vegans has it challenges but the Chef and the management of Machangulo Beach Lodge made sure we had dietary restrictions accommodated.
We also enjoyed the stand up paddle boarding and kayaking, which was a fantastic way to explore the surroundings on water. Another thing we highly recommend is visiting the village of Santa Maria, where some of the employees live. It is a very small and authentic village with a real feeling of how the locals live. There’s a small market where the women are selling sarongs, vegetables, fruits and freshly caught fish.
We’ve been to almost 50 countries but Machangulo Beach Lodge made our trip to Mozambique an unforgettable experience and it is one of our favorite destinations now. It was a dream come true to find that special place to us in Africa and we will be reliving forever with big smiles on our faces.
Machangulo Beach Lodge truly exceeded our expectations and touched our hearts.
*Disclaimer: We were hosted by Machangulo Beach Lodge, but all the opinions and views presented here are entirely our own.
OMG I am so jealous! Machangulo Beach Lodge looks absolutely stunning. Adding to my bucket list of places to visit!
oh wow what a place!!! So magical and peaceful!