Mozambique

Location: Quirimbas National Park

Squeezed between the dazzling Indian Ocean and wild African bush, Guludo Beach Lodge overlooks undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Mozambique. In the north of the Quirimbas National Park; Guludo boasts incredible wildlife, both above and below the warm waters edge. Perfectly situated to discover these wonders, you can dive the pristine coral reefs, explore the islands, soak up the rich local culture and take in the vast African bush.

The Quirimbas National Park, created in 2002, comprises the 11 southernmost islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago and a vast expanse of mainland. QNP has a total area of 750 639 ha (598 402 ha terrestrial and 152 237 ha marine and island habitats). This area is an area of great beauty, high biodiversity of global significance, and important historical patrimony. The area provides breeding sites for birds, dugongs and turtles and has been classified as an ecologically sensitive area.

Accommodation

The idea behind Guludo Beach Lodge is simple; to build small, exclusive camps in areas of extreme poverty using fair trade tourism as a vehicle for sustainable development.

In this remote part of Northern Mozambique, Guludo Beach Lodge has been built without paying bribes, using local materials, developed on local architectural styles and built completely by local villagers. The atmosphere in this eco-camp is infectiously chilled out, with the staff creating a buzz, bewitching each and every guest with their pride, eagerness and innocent charm. The camp is blossoming with more and more extraordinary guests passing through and staff gaining more confidence and experience.

Eco Policies

Eco-design – Guludo Beach Lodge has been built using local materials and local architectural styles. All environmental impact has been minimised through the design of this eco-friendly accommodation which will disintegrate leaving no trace should the lodge ever close.

Energy – There is no electricity at the Lodge. The office is powered by solar/wind energy and there will be solar power for the lights in the rooms in the next 6 months (lanterns and torches are currently provided).

Conservation – The Lodge has a research centre where guests will have the opportunity to work on groundbreaking new conservation and research projects in a largely uncharted area.

Ecological sustainability - Each bathroom at the eco-friendly Lodge shares a state of the art dehydration system enviro-loo with one other Banda.

Community - The local community of Guludo has a population of 1300. Life Expectancy is 37.8 years, and under-5 infant mortality is 29.5%. The village has one primary school with 2 classrooms, and shares its nearby water hole with elephants. For about 30 years, since the coconut plantation closed down, there has been no employment anywhere near Guludo Beach Lodge, with villagers surviving through farming, fishing & collecting seaweed.

Guludo Beach Lodge employs 55 local staff, including 9 women. Between them, they support over 500 family members, with one-third of villagers in Guludo itself supported by GBL salaries. Depending on the job, 10%-50% working hours are spent on skills training; in addition, 30 staff attends daily English classes. Over the last 24 months, GBL has delivered a total of over 60,000 hours training.

In Guludo, GBL supports 3 shops, 7 fishermen and 2 tailors as well as individuals selling eggs, coconut rope etc. Already 2 new shops have opened as a result of GBL, with another to open soon. 20 local women are employed once or twice a month to clean bamboo.

Guludo Beach Lodge also acts as a vehicle for the associated charity NEMA (formerly Known as SERF) which receives 5% of accommodation revenue, an invaluable logistical base and generous donations from guests. NEMA works along side Bespoke to relieve poverty and protect their fragile environments. Fundamentally, Guludo Beach Lodge covers all NEMA admin costs resulting in 100% of donations going straight into projects.

Facilities

Dining at Guludo is an interactive experience; watch the fishermen sell their catch, talk to the chef about the evening’s menu, even request your own speciality. The team of local chefs won’t fail to impress you with their flare and talent for producing the very finest dining in Mozambique.
Here you will find European fine dining with an exotic local twist and world class fresh seafood.

Other facilities at Guludo Beach Lodge include:-
- Bar
- Kitchen
- PADI Dive centre
- Dive and snorkelling gear (complimentary use)
- Dhow
- Beach
- Sun loungers
- 3 speed boats
- Power points for charging cameras etc. on request

Things To See And Do

In this stunning location you can enjoy the idyllic white beach and an ‘off the beaten track’ feel.
You will have the chance to interact with the community and the opportunity to help with conservation and community projects.
You could dive the pristine coral reefs and visit nearby islands, go sailing or fishing in the Lodge’s dhow, take a boat trip through the Mangroves, go for a bush walk or take a tour around historic Ibo Island. From July – October you could sight the graceful Humpback whales or play in a local village football match.

Room Description

The spacious tented bandas at this eco-friendly lodge give panoramic views through the netted walls, creating a feeling of being outside while inside. Raised bedrooms sit under an expansive palm-thatched roof, opening upwards and outwards to make the most of the stunning sea views and cooling sea breeze. Each of the nine tented-bandas has a quirky alfresco marbled bathroom, each sharing a state of the art dehydration system enviro-loo with one other Banda.

Each Banda is also equipped with:-
- King size bed
- wardrobe
- shelves
- table
- hammock
- chairs
- veranda
- sea views
- mosquito nets
- room service
- private path to white sand beach
- Lanterns at night and torches
- En-suite open air bathroom

Prices & Booking Policies

Currency: US dollar ($)
Prices and inclusions: Prices range from US$205-335 (approx £103-170) per person per night, based on 2 sharing a Banda. For sole occupancy prices range from US$267-436 (approx £134-220) per person per night. Prices include all meals (including snacks and picnics), teas and coffees, laundry service and taxes. In addition, 5% of the accommodation fee goes to NEMA the Lodge’s associated charity, working in Guludo and the surrounding villages.
Child prices: Families with children are very welcome in Guludo. There are 2 family Bandas which are situated closer together, on request. 2 cots for babies are available on request and it is possible to put an extra bed in a double room for an infant to share with 2 adults. It is possible to have up to 3 children in one room.
- Children aged 0-2 years go free.
- Children aged 3-11 receive a 50% discount on the adult prices.
- Children aged 12-15 receive a 25% discount on the adult prices.
Extra adult prices: A third adult will not fit in to the Bandas.
Special offers: For bookings from 10th January 2009 onwards, receive a 5% discount for stays of 7-10 nights, receive a 10% discount for stays of 11-14 nights and receive a 15% discount for stays of 15 nights or more.
Check-in / Check-out times: Check in and check out times are flexible depending on guests’ flight times. Please note that the last transfer of the day is 15:30 because of failing light.
Opening dates: Guludo Beach Lodge is open all year round. Bookings being taken until 9th January 2010.
Restrictions: There is a 5 night minimum stay in peak season - August and 16th December - 9th January.
Deposit: On booking you are required to pay a deposit of 25% of the total value of your booking. Your booking will only be confirmed once this deposit has been received. Guludo Beach Lodge will take this payment using the credit card details you provide during the booking process.
Full payment is then required 60 days prior to arrival.
Please note that a 3.5% surcharge applies to credit card payments.
Cancellation policy: If you cancel your booking your deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel 30-60 days prior to arrival the cancellation charge is 50% of the total booking value. If you cancel within 30 days of arrival the cancellation charge is 100% of the total booking value.
No refund given to any guest leaving before booked departure date.
Payment methods: Unless you request otherwise (on your booking form) your payment will be taken from your credit card using the details you provide at time of booking. Please note that payments made by credit card are subject to a 3.5% surcharge. Payments can also be made by bank transfer or cheque. All fees incurred for payments made by bank transfer are to be paid by the sender. You will be provided with full details on confirmation of your booking.

Getting There And Around

You will need to fly in to Pemba (POL) airport if you are travelling by aeroplane. Air transportation to the region is improving (with direct links to Nairobi, Maputo, Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg). There are two direct flights from Nairobi per week and three flights per week from Dar es Salaam, both with LAM. There are two direct flights per week from Johannesburg with South African Airlink. There are flights daily from Maputo to Pemba with LAM. You can arrange a transfer from Pemba to Guludo by road (see above details).

Once in Guludo you can also arrange transfers to Ibo Island and Matemo Island.