Bay of Maputo offers endless activities
The bay with its tranquil waters is ideal for family holidays, individuals or couples looking for an idyllic breakaway.
Big and small can snorkel in the Marine Sanctuary at Inhaca Island – a mere 5 minutes by boat across the channel. It provides excellent snorkeling for both the more experienced snorkeler and those who prefer to look about in the shallow pools.
Swimming, kayaking, windsurfing and just lazing about in the warm water is also a favourite pastime of visitors.
Exploring the area
Un-spoilt beaches offer long walks along its sandy shore with rock pools, shells and the cry of a fish eagle. The Mangrove forests with its micro cosmos of life, is also worth exploring. Climbing the dunes will reward you with breathtaking views of the bay and the ocean. A favourite is always a dhow trip to Inhaca Island, snorkeling on the way to a lunch on Inhaca or having your own picnic on the Portuguese island. Angling from the shore or even kayak fishing, spear fishing or fly fishing in the Channel can render its own excitement!
Maputo Elephant Reserve
The Reserva Especial (Maputo Elephant Reserve) is just one hour south of the Lodge, wild refuge for the last elephants in southern Mozambique, remnant of the once great herd that migrated to and from South Africa. Here you will also find reedbuck, waterbuck, grey duiker, hippos and crocodiles.
Deep-sea fishing and excursions
Santa Maria is an angler’s paradise, with the reef just 5km from the channel mouth, offering amazing fishing opportunities whether your passion is deep sea fishing with a ski boat or a jet ski with Blue; Black and Striped Marlin right on the reef, Sailfish; Wahoo; King Mackerel, Dorado and Giant Kingfish.
It is not uncommon to encounter dolphins, whales, sometimes even the elusive dugong, turtles and marine birds in their own environment
Location:
Nhonguane Lodge is located at the eastern side of the Bay of Maputo along the beach about 1km from the channel (Hell’s Gate) separating the peninsula from Inhaca Island. The local village of Santa Maria is about 3km from the lodge to the south and stock most necessities. Sea-food sold on site brought in by local vendors such as prawns, crab and fish are usually available.
4X4 Driving
Travelling by land takes about 3.5 to 5 adventurous hours to reach Nhonguane Lodge through the Elephant Reserve.
This route is not recommended for towing a boat. You can however tow a trailer or Jet-ski.
- Handy items for the road – Tyre pressure gauge
- Compressor for the tyres
- Recovery strap
- Shovel (if you get stuck in the sand)
- Drinks and something to eat
- First aid kit
- Torch
- Toilet paper
- A sense of adventure!
*Please note there is an admittance fee payable per vehicle and per person entering the reserve
Please see map and directions >>
From Komatipoort border: 6 hours drive via Boane, Salamanga (avoids Maputo city)
From Maputo: 5 hours drive via Catembe ferry (450 mtn per vehicle + 5 mtn pp)
From Kosibay border: 4 hours drive, 130 km, average 30km/phr.
From Elephant Park Main Gate to Lodge: 75km, approx 3 hours drive, average 30km/phr
GPS co-ordinates: 26 05 33 S • 32 57 05 E
Boats
Guests can also reach us via Maputo with their own boats. It is important to make sure that the weather conditions are favourable to leave Maputo. Rather leave on high tide. There are a lot of sand-banks and islands during low tide.
Guests can launch their boats from either Club Nautica or Club Naval.
GPS coordinates: Harbour Master: 25º58’37.37″S 32º34’16.25″E
Club Nautica: 25º58’52.80″S 32º35’07.25″E
Club Naval: 25º57’35.55″S 32º35’45.82″E
Santa Maria Beach: 26° 5’34.47″S – 32°57’2.95″E
The following is compulsory:
- Skippers license
- Seaworthy certificate
- Safety equipment
- The Harbour Master will inspect your boat. Please ask for directions to the permit office.
- Take out a boat permit and fishing license that is payable in meticais.
- Proceed to Club Nautica or Club Naval. *See GPS co-ordinates above
- There is parking available for your vehicle and trailer at a minimum fee
- Security is available but nothing is guaranteed
- Show your boat permit before launching
*Please note that it is not permissible to drive on the beach not even to launch your boat.
A boat can then be left moored in the bay in front of the Lodge throughout your stay. That means you don’t have to launch your boat every day! The Lodge can also assist you in acquiring a local Ghilly.
Boat
Guests can reach the Lodge by means a Ferry – either the Government Ferry or the Vodacom Ferry that departs from the Porto de Pesca, Maputo at 07:00 and returns at 15:00 every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Transport via boat can be arranged from either Maputo or Inhaca by the Lodge – please enquire well in advance prior to departure.