Overview of Ibo Island Lodge
Set sail on the azure waters of the Indian Ocean to sun-drenched Ibo Island, where you are invited to spend long days watching dhow boats float along the horizon, going diving and snorkelling, and toasting fiery sunsets every evening. The island is set within Mozambique’s incredible Quirimbas Archipelago, which boasts some of the world’s most beautiful reefs, pristine beaches and bird-rich coastal forests. Ibo Island Lodge comprises three 150-year-old mansions that have been tastefully restored to offer you luxury and crumbling grandeur among scented gardens and swaying palm trees.
The island was originally part of an old trading route and has plenty of historic ruins that echo its former glory – ideal for those travellers who want to experience authentic Africa beyond the brochures. Be sure to shop for iconic silver coin jewellery handmade by local silversmiths in their simple workshops.
Snorkelling and diving expeditions on traditional sailing boats allow you to experience the surrounding islands, a nearby sandbank beach, dramatic underwater drop-offs, and one of Africa’s largest mangrove forests. Combine your quintessential island getaway at Ibo Island Lodge with an enriching cultural and historical tour in which you can encounter local Swahili people and witness the island’s fascinating combination of Arabian and Portuguese-inspired architecture dating back to the 1600s.
Highlights & Activities
What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
Beach activities
Bird watching
Boat excursions
Cultural visits
Day tours
Dhow cruises
Fishing
Historical tours
Kayaking
Local school visits
Picnics
Sailing
Snorkelling
Rooms at Ibo Island Lodge
Unwind and relax, in your own private luxury
Garden Facing Room
Each of the Garden Facing and Historical Rooms have been individually decorated and features twin or king-sized beds, a veranda and outdoor seating and a generous en suite bathroom with a large marble shower and twin basins. Some of the suites have added extras such as an outdoor shower, a comfy alfresco daybed, and living areas that can be converted to accommodate two small children.
Other Room Types
A 5-bedroom Private Villa is available for the private use of groups, and you will have access to your own dedicated chef and butler. This grand old villa was one of the first hotels on the island, and features original coral walls and teak ceiling beams, a private garden, swimming pool, and roof terrace.
Sea Facing Room
These rooms are ideal for honeymooners and are equipped with all the luxuries and amenities of the Garden Rooms with the added benefit of an ocean-facing veranda as well as large bathrooms with marble showers and bathtubs.
General Facilities
With a limited number of suites spread over three beautifully restored mansions, Ibo Island Lodge offers you exclusivity and an intimate, relaxed atmosphere. The Bella Vista lounge overlooks the bay and is adorned with antiques and locally made furnishings that speak to the vibrant blend of cultures and rich history of the island.
Fragrant frangipanis and colourful bougainvillea fill the carefully tended gardens, and afternoons can be spent outdoors, sipping on a refreshing drink at one of three swimming pools. Traditionally inspired spa treatments use local products like sea salt, lemon grass, coconut oil and extracts from the quipalo tree and are enjoyed in the comfort of your own suite. The tidal bay in front of the lodge offers ever-shifting vistas, and you can visit the nearby sandbank beach via a short complimentary boat ride.
Bar
Private balcony or deck
Private garden
Restaurant
Swimming pool
Dining
Enjoy a grand culinary experience in the formal dining room at a large teak banquet table, or head to the rooftop restaurant for ice-cold drinks and dishes like smoked sail fish, coconut and chilli crab curry, and lobster thermidor. The restaurant is the centrepiece of the lodge and faces west to make the most of dazzling sunsets over the ocean, while lanterns and a sky full of stars light up the final meal of the day. Breakfasts and lunches can be taken in the garden or in your own private suite, and there are a host of Mozambican and international dishes on the menu.
Expert Opinion
We know because we go
Bonita Cronje
Africa Safari Expert
This amazing island destination has been virtually untouched for centuries; it's as if time stood still! A perfect place to experience history, art and culture, not to mention crystal blue waters.
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