Premier Destination
Situated in northern Mozambique, The Maluane project is unique in being both a scientifically based conservation project and a sustainable low-impact tourism initiative. Maluane is one of the last unspoilt and unexploited wilderness areas along the east African coast. Comprising three Indian Ocean islands, a coastal strip and a 33,000 hectare wildlife reserve, this vast conservation area has coral reefs, mangrove forests, powder-white beaches and islands, together with large areas of forest and savannah inland.
Conservation and environmental impact work at Maluane began in 1999 and found that the area had a large elephant population and significant numbers of predators. Added to that was an unrivalled marine life containing many endangered and rare species.
Work has since begun on three island lodges and two luxury safari camps on the mainland. Mozambique’s luxurious Vamizi Island Lodge is now complete and the lodge welcomed its first guests in December 2005.
Built on a fourteen kilometre beach Vamizi Island is a small, exquisite, malaria free beach destination. Guests can step out of beautifully appointed beach houses into a world of powder white sands, virgin reefs and secret coves. The lodge is designed to complement the environment and to cause as little damage to it as possible. All building materials used by the project are being sourced from local sustainable sources.
12 huge and spectacular villas, including two family units, have a spacious living room, a spectacular bathroom and a breezy veranda. The villas are 70 metres apart to offer plenty of privacy, and have a footpath leading from the veranda down to the beach.
Stretched along the beach the main dining room, bar and sitting room have all been created with open sitting areas and secluded corners. A sunset bar is located close to the waters edge. The ocean holds the key to Vamizi’s main larder.
Marine activities include world-class blue water fishing and fly fishing, as well as snorkelling and scuba diving in some of the most pristine coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. The diving off Vamizi is world class and is regarded as one of the planet’s top 10 dive destinations. There is no coral bleaching. Vamizi also offers mountain bike trails, bird walks, dhow cruises and private picnics.
The turtle season on Vamizi is from July to August whilst Humpback Whales are seen off Vamizi between July and October. A "conservation corner" has been introduced where clients can meet the marine biologist from the Zoological Society of London and learn more about the conservation project. 300 turtle nest sites have been protected to date.
Vamizi is normally accessed from Dar es Salaam in neighbouring Tanzania. From here a direct charter flight to Moçimboa da Praia is taken and then make a 20 minute light aircraft transfer to Vamizi's own airstrip.
Vamizi can be accessed from the south by a light aircraft transfer from Pemba, Mozambique.