Description
The Quirimbas Archipelago is one of the most unspoiled destinations left on the planet. Start your adventure by exploring ancient Ibo island from the comfort of beautiful Ibo Island Lodge; history, culture, birding, mangrove forests, seafood, intrigue and tranquility. Explore a coastline fringed by tropical islands on an ancient Arab dhow with friendly guides. Discover idyllic island beaches with pristine turquoise waters. Snorkel some of Mozambique’s richest coral reefs and maybe catch sight of turtles, dolphins, and amazing species of fish. Snack on cashew nuts, tropical fruit and fresh seafood cooked over an open fire under the stars. Dazzling bird life abounds with storks, egrets and herons roosting in thick mangrove branches. Mobile beach camps set up on pristine islands offer tropical swimming, peace and exploration.
We are the ONLY operator to offer island hopping adventures into this remote and unique region. We have been actively involved in northern Mozambique and Ibo Island for the last 15 years. With this knowledge we are able to offer an experience for adventurers, seeking an unequalled island and cultural experience in one of the last undeveloped places in Africa. This is adventure travel at its best!
ISLAND HOPPING DHOW or KAYAK SAFARI
Day 1
Arrive Pemba and light aircraft transfer to magical Ibo Island. You will be met at Pemba airport. An included beautiful light aircraft flight over the islands and turquoise waters transfers you to Ibo Island Lodge. Probably the most compelling attraction in the Quirimbas, Ibo’s 200-year-old ghost town and 16th Century forts make for a fascinating journey to an era long forgotten. Today you can wander around the mysterious ruins amongst forts and ancient trade buildings with many fascinating stories just waiting to be retold.
Accommodation: Ibo Island Lodge. The lodge has spectacular views over the waterfront and accommodates guests in beautifully simple yet elegant rooms. Historic colonial mansions with high ceilings have been stylishly renovated to accommodate the lodge with various verandas, tropical gardens and a spectacular roof top restaurant that provides the ideal venue to watch the sun go down. The emphasis at Ibo Island Lodge is on complete relaxation and a base from which to explore the Quirimbas Archipelago.
Included Meals:
Dinner
All drinks to client’s own expense.
Day 2
Clear day to explore Ibo Island. The Ibo Island guided Experience (included) provides a chance to interact with the amazingly friendly local people and observe their unique island culture and a way of life that
hasn’t changed for hundreds of years. For those active souls your afternoon on Ibo can also be used to become acclimatized to sailing dhow conditions or partake in an optional kayak excursion. Alternatively you can chill at one of the pools with a refreshing cold Mozambique beer or watch the sun set from ring side seats at the roof top bar!
Accommodation: Ibo Island Lodge
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
All drinks to client’s own expense.
Day 3
Start of dhow safari: Ibo to Darumba. Today will have you climbing aboard your kayak or traditional dhow with trusty crew, equipment and supplies and departing ancient Ibo Island for your exploration into the Quirimbas Archipelago. The ancient art of traditional dhow travel has been practiced in this region for centuries. Today it still remains the only way of travel between the islands and the last sailing trading dhow came to Ibo Island from India in 1969!
Turquoise clear waters and beautiful scenery awaits you – as well as a host of local fishermen to meet and interact with along the way. The Darumba river mouth beckons and it is here where rural fishing villages dot the shore. Your first chance to camp in the open Mozambique bush south of Darumba.
Accommodation: Darumba Estuary. Camping – mobile fully service camp, tents, stretches and bedding and hot showers provided.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
All drinks to client’s own expense.
Day 4
Southern tip of Matemo Island. Sail into the clearest of blue water with pristine corals below to explore with snorkel. We will stop on the southern tip of Matemo Island.
Accommodation: Matemo community based camps. A frame chalets and mobile fully service camp
situated right on the southern beach of Matemo. Tents, stretches and bedding and hot showers provided.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
All drinks to client’s own expense.
Day 5
Matemo Island to Rolas. We continue onwards to little Rolas Island and its clear waters with excellent reefs to snorkel and a
stunning white sandy peninsular to swim from. Local legend says the island is owned by the sacred, resident coconut crabs, the largest species of land crabs. If you dare and are lucky to find him go with “old man coconut crab” into the Rolas Coral Rock Forest to see some of the infamous crabs for
yourself.
Accommodation: Rolas Island. Camping – mobile fully service camp, tents, stretches and bedding and hot showers provided.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
All drinks to client’s own expense.
Day 6 & 7
Rolas to uninhabited Mogundula Island. In our opinion Mogundula Island is one of the best islands in the archipelago which is why we spend 2 nights here giving you us a fantastic base from which to explore. Known by the locals as the island with the sacred lake it provides us with beautiful bird watching, pristine swimming off the sandbank beach and excellent snorkeling en-route. We will set up our camp under the shade of trees and you have this magical uninhabited island to yourself!
Overnight camp and exploring on Mogundula Island and surrounds. Day trip to the Pangane Peninsula and/or Makaloe Island from your base camp.
Accommodation: Mogundula Island. Camping – mobile fully service camp, tents, stretches and bedding and hot showers provided.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
All drinks to client’s own expense.
Day 8
Mocojo to Pemba for flight out. On the early morning of day 8 we turn south again and hugging the coastline bound for Mocojo on the mainland where you will be transferred by vehicle to Pemba for your flight out.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
All drinks to client’s own expense.
8 DAY ISLAND HOPPING DHOW/KAYAKING SAFARI RATE PER PERSON ON A SHARING BASIS.
Departure Dates: For scheduled departure dates or tailor made itineraries for 2010 please contact Absolute Adventures.
Included in Rate:
• Light aircraft transfer to Ibo Island from Pemba.
• 2 Nights Ibo Island Lodge in standard rooms on sharing basis. Full Board excluding all drinks and mineral waters.
• 2 x guided tours of Ibo Island with local guide
• Island hopping dhow/kayak safari equipment (sleeping bag and sleeping mat not included)
• 6 days pristine island hopping by traditional dhow (motorized) OR kayaking- exploring and overnight
island or beach camps
• Experienced English and Portuguese speaking crew
• NON participation mobile camp (crew assembles the camp and handles all camp
duties allowing you to relax and enjoy)
• All camping and catering equipment included for island camps
• Meals as per stated in the itinerary.
• Vehicle transfer to Pemba.
Not Included in Rate:
• All international airfares and related taxes/fees
• All meals that are not specified
• All drinks, personal bar account, bottled water, etc.
• Mozambique arrival/departure/airport/hotel/government taxes
• Sanctuary/National Park fees
• Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, curio purchases, etc.
• Optional activities/excursions not specified
• Visas, travel and medical insurance
• Please note that all bookings are subject to our standard terms and conditions and full pre departure information, copies of both available on request.
* Please also note whilst on the dhow safari all camping will be bush or island camping with limited facilities. Washing water will be limited, and meals simple and nutritious based on the dry stocks able to be carried and the availability of fresh fish and seafood. The itinerary is provided as a guide only and will need to be totally flexible and is weather and tide dependent. You are, however, assured of a true island adventure against a backdrop of varied and pristine scenery.
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