This week saw the official launch of a new experience for visitors to Mozambique’s leading National Park – Gorongosa.  Asilia Lodges & Camps, who already feature a variety of superb camps in Africa, will be opening their newest seasonal tented camp in Gorongosa and we are thrilled to be able to offer it to you!

Kubatana Camp will open officially on the 01^st of July 2013 and will consist of 6 large, en suite guest tents.  Each tent will have its own private setting in the Fever tree dominated woodland that surrounds the camp site.  Accommodation is authentic yet stylish with king size bed and en suite bathroom with flush toilet and traditional outdoor “safari shower”.  Guests can enjoy views of the floodplains and seasonal river, which borders the camp, from their tent’s enclosed veranda.

A range of activities will be on offer for guests to enjoy including game drives, guided walking safaris, bird watching by boat on Lake Urema and fly camping.  There will also be opportunities for guests to meet with park ecologists and researchers for a more in-depth understand of conservation in Gorongosa.  Visits to the Lion House and Mount Gorongosa are highlights to any stay.  Kubatana Camp’s outreach projects with the local community will allow guests to interact and even give their time by assisting in some of the various ongoing projects. 

Guests can access Kubatana Camp by road from Beira Airport (approximately 3.5 hour journey) and soon by air as well as Asilia are in talks with CFA to reintroduce the air transfer between Beira Airport and Chitengo airstrip in Gorongosa.  The air transfer is only a mere 30 minutes approximately and is an easier combination with outgoing flight connections from Beira Airport. 

Kindly keep in mind that Kubatana Camp is a low impact, seasonal camp.  It is therefore not fenced for minimal impact on the wildlife and ecology.  Children over the age of 6 years are welcome and under the age of 13 years should always share a room with an adult (charged 50% of adult rate).  Kubatana Camp can accommodate a maximum of two triple rooms.  Children below 6 years are not allowed unless the camp is booked exclusively.  The Camp will close annually from the 01^st of December till the 31^st of March for the rain season.

Please feel free to contact our office should you require more information or rates for the above camp – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Airlink will add a Monday and Friday flight to its weekly schedule from 27 August to 21 September and 10 October to 14 December 2012. Flights depart Johannesburg at 11h10 arriving in Pemba at 14h00 and depart Pemba at 14h30 arriving at Johannesburg at 17h25. The additional flights, which compliment Airlink’s current schedule which operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays, will also use one of Airlink’s 11 Embraer ERJ135 37 seat regional jets.

Effective 01 October 2012 - time change for all flights between Johannesburg and Pemba.

* Departs Johannesburg 11h30 and arriving Pemba 14h20

* Departing Pemba 14h55 and arrives Johannesburg 17h20

The Pemba destination has been seeing increasing interest following the significant gas finds offshore in the Mozambican channel north of Pemba. A number of new hotel properties have opened in the region to serve both the growing leisure and the gas/oil industry.

Airlink works closely with SAA to ensure seamless service for corporate and leisure travellers visiting Pemba. Benefits for Airlink travellers include Voyager Miles and convenient interline connections with SAA and its Star Alliance partner flights locally and globally.

Federal Air have announced a change to their flight schedule for the Vilanculos routing, effective for the month of November 2012.

During the month of November flights will continue as per normal on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

There will be NO flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the month of November 2012.  The schedule will return to normal on the 01st of December unless otherwise notified by Federal Air over the coming weeks. 

Mozambique Voyages is proud to announce the opening of their new Maputo Office in Maputo, Mozambique.  The office is the result of the new collaboration of three key role players in the tourism industry – being Martijn Mellaart (Uitkyk Holidays / Mozambique Voyages), Chris Welthagen (Echo Africa Safaris & Transfers) and Bernardo Dramos (former CEO of the Mozambique Tourism Board).

The decision to form the joint venture, and set up a Maputo office under the Mozambique Voyages banner, was a logical step for all three as they are equally passionate and determined to make Mozambique a leading tourism destination. 

Bernardo Dramos is a well known figure in Maputo’s tourism and marketing circles and continues to be actively involved with tourism in the country, both as tourism property owner and in his role as former CEO of the Mozambique Tourism Board INATUR.  Chris Welthagen founded Echo Africa Safaris & Transfers in 2000 and since then the company has grown into the leading Safari Operators in Mpumalanga, compromising of a fleet of 32 vehicles.  Echo Africa has also been working closely with the Pestana Hotel Group for the past several years to provide exceptional safari experiences to their guests in Maputo and the Kruger Park.  Martijn Mellaart founded Uitkyk Holidays in 1998 and started promoting tourism to Mozambique when the country was only starting to open its doors to international travelers and holidaymakers.  Over the years the company has become the leading Inbound Tour Operator to Mozambique with in depth product knowledge.  In 2008 Uitkyk Holidays opened a separate division under the name Mozambique Voyages, to specialize in Mozambique travel.

The Maputo office will offer an extension of the services already provided by both Echo Africa Safaris & Transfers and Mozambique Voyages respectively.   The services will include, but are not limited to:

The official opening of the new Mozambique Voyages office in Maputo will be held at Indaba 2012.  Further queries or information requests can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or feel free to visit the stand at Indaba – ICC F018.

Nuarro Beach Lodge is well known for the stunning experiences guests have with the creatures of the sea.  From the beautiful sightings enjoyed during a snorkel off the main beach, the the majestic Humpback whales that come into the bay with their young calves in season. 

However today the guests, staff and local residents were very surprised by the newest and most unusual sighting ever in the sea!!  Life remains full of surprises!!

The month of February is traditionally known as cyclone season in Mozambique.  Thankfully the country has been spared the wrath of any major cyclone since 2007, with only the occasional Tropical Storms bringing in rain and wind.  Unfortunately 2012 saw the surprise arrival of cyclone Funso in mid January when no one expected to see any cyclones. 

Funso is an intense, slow-moving storm which formed off central Mozambique in the Mozambique Channel. The storm continues to move over open water in the southern part of the Mozambique Channel drifting slightly southward.  Zambezia, the most populated province of Mozambique has been hit the hardest. High winds, torrential rain and rough surf pounded the area.  Although it has had a marked impack on rural communities in these areas, none of the major tourist destinations have been seriously affected and all the lodges and island properties have been spared any damage.  As a precautionary mesasure the lodges in the Bazaruto Archipelago have been closed for a week and Federal Air have also suspended all flights to and from Vilanculos temporarily.

Official forecasts aim Funso southward, steering it well clear of both southeastern Africa and southwestern Madagascar during the next two to three days. 

For lovers of history and architecture, northern Mozambique is an ideal destination.  The islands of Ibo and Ilha de Mozambique specifically are rich in both and guided tours can be taken to explore and photograph buildings that are hundreds of years old.  Even more impressive are the stories told by your guides of the history of the buildings, some good and some very sad. 

On Ibo you can view forts, trade warehouses, private homes (some in ruins and other lovingly restored), a hospital that use to be the best in the southern hemisphere and churches to name a few places.  The "Cowrie shell" house tells the tale of a woman who decorated the front wall of her house with a cowrie shell for every day her husband was absent.  The story goes that she was crazy - and whether she was crazy because her husband left her alone for so long or if he left her alone because she was crazy remains a mystery.

The Fort of São João Batista, constructed in 1791, is still an impressive sight to behold today.  Its history is filled with tales of sieges, slave trading and infamous interrogations.  Today its occupied by local artists that sell their hand made crafts to tourists.  The silversmiths based here created some of the most beautiful handmade silver jewellery and is well worth the visit. 

Ilha has a rich selection of statues, forts, the Vasco de Gama Museum and many other sights to behold.  My favourite was the old Catholic Church built opposite Ilha de Mozambique.  Its reported that this church was constructed in 1575 and is the oldest in the southern hemisphere.  Although in a poor state of disrepair, the building is still very impressive and one can only imagine what tales it could tell if its walls could talk

I had the pleasure of recently spending two nights at the newly re-opened Azura at Quilalea.  The little island is part of the Quirimbas Archipelago, surrounded by the warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, and a delight to stay at.  There is something for everyone - including superb snorkeling right off the main beach, adventurous kayaking around the island, walking trails, giant old baobab trees and a rich diversity of bird life. 

The Azura brand ensure that the highest level of guest service is given at all times -  from the warmest of welcomes on arrival to a special surprise gift from the Lodge and not forgetting a special private venue selected each night just for you by your Villa host to sit back and enjoy your cocktail sundowner drink and savour the sunset. 

Dining is an experience on its own as the chef and his team endeavour to present you with a variety of fresh, flavourful and utterly delicious dishes at every meal time.  The most difficult thing is to decide just what to have as all the options are mouthwatering. 

The rooms are tastefully decorated and cater for all creature comforts. No expenses has been spared to ensure that guests enjoy a most memorable stay.

The Lodge is a perfect destination for honeymooners or for someone looking for a special place for a special occasion. 

Azura at Quilalea is most definitely paradise rediscovered!