Activities

Snorkelling

The bay offers the opportunity of sheltered snorkelling in the Marine Reserve on Inhaca Island. Coral reefs teem with tropical fish and some bigger predators like couta and king fish.

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Rock and surf angling, fly fishing and deep sea fishing.

Ski boats launch in Maputo to cross the Bay and within an hour at high tide you have reached your destination. The boat stays moored in front of the lodge for the duration of your stay. Nhonguane Lodge welcomes all fishermen! (It is not advisable to tow a ski boat through the Elephant Reserve.)

Traditional dhow

Explore the Bay of Maputo with a traditional dhow to Inhaca and Portuguese Island. Take a sun set trip at high tide to the inland estuary on Inhaca Island and do some bird watching. The bay has lots of flamingos and other water birds that wade in the shallow water.

Explore

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.