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Machangulo Nature Reserve, Maputo, Mozambique
Agent: Cliff Jacobs - Managing Principal Estate Agent & CEO (Nat.Dpl.Hotel Man (UJ). M.P.R.E.)
Agent Cellphone: +27 (0) 84 413 1071 / +27 (0) 61 716 6951
Agent Office Number: +27 (0) 21 554 0283
Agent Email Address: cliff@exquisitehotelconsultants.com
Type: Beach Lodge
Bedrooms: 12
Bathrooms: 12
Showers: 12
Parking: 10
Yield: Not Disclosed
Maputo Province
Maputo Province, the province excludes the city of Maputo (which comprises a separate province). The province has an area of 22,693 km2 (8,762 sq mi) and a population of 1,968,906 (2017 census). Its capital is the city of Matola.
Geography
Maputo Province is the southernmost province of Mozambique. It borders Gaza Province to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal to the south, Eswatini to the southwest, and the Mpumalanga province of South Africa to the west and northwest. The Maputo Bay area to the southeast of Maputo is an important conservation area with many reefs and lakes. Of particular note is the Maputo Elephant Game Reserve, which has lakes such as Lagoa Chingute and Lagoa Piti in the vicinity, and the Machangulo Private Nature Reserve further north of this in the Machangulo Peninsula. The largest river of the province, the Maputo River, running from Amsterdam, Mpumalanga in South Africa near the Eswatini border, flows into Maputo Bay to the southeast of Maputo. Also flowing into the bay are the Umbeluzi River and the Incomati River. In the fall of 1999, the Maputo, Umbeluzi, Incompati and Limpopo rivers were affected by severe rainfall, 70 percent higher than normal which caused severe flooding. The Maputo and Incomati burst their banks on 12 January 2000, directly affecting some 40,000, and flooding along the Incomati affected about 20,000 several days later.
To the north of the peninsula is the Inhaca Island (Ilha da Inhaca), a 52-square-kilometre (20 sq mi) subtropical island, about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from north to south by 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from east to west which separates Maputo Bay to the west from the Indian Ocean off its eastern shores. It is protected under the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area, and contains the Reserva da Inhaca. The highest point of the island is Mount Inhaca at 104 metres (341 ft) on the north-eastern shoreline.
In the northwest of the province, near the South African border is a major reservoir and dam complex, the Corumana Dam, which dams the Sabie River. In 2014 it was reported that hydro-mechanical specialists have been consulted to see a further expansion of the complex, with the aim of increasing the height of the dam from 110 metres (360 ft) to 117 metres (384 ft), and installing crest spillway gates and a fuse plug. The dam is under the responsibility of the water directorate, Direcção Nacional de Águas (DNA).
Demographics
According to the 2017 census, the province had 1,931,298 inhabitants and an area of 22,693 square kilometres (8,762 sq mi), hence resulting in a population density of 85.11 inhabitants per km². 99.47% were Mozambicans, 0.27% were South Africans, and a small minority were from other nationalities. 33.94% were Pentecostal, 30.56% were Zionist, 14.57% were Catholic, 8.11% were without religion, 3.29% were Muslim, and 9.53% were another religion.
Between 2007 and 2017, the population grew by 48.2%, the fastest growing region in Mozambique. As of the 2007 census, the province had a population of 1,233,143 residents. With an area of 22,693 square kilometres (8,762 sq mi), the population density was about 54.34 people per km².
About us
The villa provides guests with the ultimate restorative escape, and the highest calibre of intuitive hospitality, while committing to being carbon conscious.
Soak in the spectacular, idyllic scenery of the dune forest and Indian Ocean from the comfort of your suite’s private balcony, or from the deck of the main house. Be lulled to sleep by the soothing sounds of the ocean, and uplift your soul, with spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Our villa is situated inside a nature reserve in an exclusive area of the Machangulo Peninsula, Mozambique.
Our concierge team offer a seamless experience, from booking to arrival at our villa, and through all activities during your stay.
Our name not only derives from our royal history, but also from the beautiful African Monarch butterfly. Once owned by the Dutch crown prince, The Monarch and land around it, was primed to become a resort. The prince intended the resort to be both ecologically and socially responsible, with a view to boosting the local economy of the Machangulo peninsula. However, the project was met with controversy from both Mozambique locals and Dutch parliamentary officials, and eventually, the prince sold the villa. His involvement pathed the way for eco-tourism in the area and it has now become a popular tourist destination. This has created many jobs for locals and empowered communities, with the development of schools for the youth.
The African Monarch is an incredibly important butterfly species, in terms of history. Archaeologists believed it to be the first butterfly ever depicted in art. A 3,500-year-old Egyptian fresco in Luxor features the oldest illustration of what appears to be The African Monarch. There are over 400 butterfly species across Mozambique, adding to the abundance of fauna and flora found around our Machangulo accommodation.
Through our luxury, eco-centric properties, we aim to connect our guests with nature, while preserving and protecting our environment through our carbon offset partners. We are committed to sustaining our planet for future generations, so they too can experience the incredible wonder of its biodiversity. We aim to leave only the lightest of footprints, while offering a truly luxurious experience to our guests, harmonising style, comfort and nature.
The entire villa sleeps up to 12 people, and comprises the Main House, Pool Cabins and the Forest Cabin.
King Suite
Fit for Royalty
Offering ample space to decompress in calming isolation. Find a harmonious balance between ultra-luxury surroundings and the restoring scenes, sounds and scents of nature. Connect with the ocean, and open up the glass stack doors to the private balcony, allowing the revitalising sea breeze to flow over the luxurious, extra-large, king-size bed.
The largest suite at our villa, the room features a sizable en-suite bathroom, a spacious lounge area, a library, and a dressing room, with generous cupboard space.
The grand bathroom includes a stylish bathtub, a deluxe inside shower and an outside shower, where you can absorb nature at its most authentic, during an invigorating shower.
Services for all rooms
Main House
King Suite
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
Relax in the communal areas, catering for all your creature comforts, including:
Forest Suite
Light and airy, and slightly tucked away in the dune forest, this unit offers complete seclusion. Step out onto the private deck, with views over the coastline, and relax on the loungers, before indulging in a mouth-watering breakfast. At the foot of the comfortable queen-sized bed are large, glass balcony doors, to allow the natural light, and salty ocean air, to restore your vitality. It also has a private lounge area, with two additional single beds, to inspire valuable family togetherness, and blissful memories.
The ample bathroom includes a bathtub and shower. Just outside is a separate shower, where you can pamper yourself in the surrounding nature.
The lounge has couches that can be converted into two single beds.
Pool Suites
Rise to the sounds of the tropical Indian Ocean waves, lapping at the flawless white sands. Subtle African style is carefully offset with a modern edge. The folding glass doors stretch around the room, allowing the essences of nature, to flow inside. The balconies are private for each room, with shelter from the fragrant forest, and offer scenes of the sparkling, turquoise sea. Enjoy an aromatic coffee in peace and tranquillity, at the French café style bistro table, in the nook of the balcony. With easy access to the pool area, the pool suites offer the perfect balance between intimacy and leisure.
There are two luxurious rooms available:
Poolside Room 1
Poolside Room 2
Activities
The meticulous attention to detail and supreme comfort of our villa, with a full staff complement, empower you with an undeniably soothing and restoring escape. WiFi is available, but we urge travellers to truly switch off, unplug and unwind in the enchanting surrounding nature, and relaxing pool area. There is an opportunity to experience the exhilaration of a variety of activities, if you are keen to venture outside the superlative splendour of our villa.
Discover
Awaken your Adventurous side
Our dedicated team can organise activities directly from our villa. The inviting tropical Indian Ocean is within easy reach, and you can enjoy snorkelling or swimming a short distance from the lodge. Nearby activity centres provide kayaking, kite-surfing and deep-sea fishing experiences. Evenings are never dull, with entertainment in our private game room, equipped with a billiard table, board games, an exclusive library, and a fully stocked bar.
Santa Maria
Small village with a big heart
We’ve put together part two of our emerging adventures for bucket list travel that are trending in 2024. Read on to see what tickles your travel itch… bush and beach, personalised travel, immersive adventures, digital nomad travel, transformational travel, or food adventures.
Bush and Beach
If you’re a nature and wildlife enthusiast, the combination of bush and beach in your next adventure might tick a lot of boxes for you. This means visiting destinations that offer both stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems, where you can enjoy safaris, bush walks, snorkeling, ocean adventures, beach walks, and more.
One of our favourite places in the world to experience bush and beach is Southern Africa. Here, you will find some of the most amazing and untouched natural wonders on Earth.
There are 3 methods of accessing our Villa
Boat Transfer
Boat charter from Maputo. Departs from Maputo Marina or Porta de Pesca, and can accommodate up to 14 guests.
Estimated travel time: 1 hour 30 mins to Machangulo Peninsula.
Please note, upon boarding and when disembarking the boat, you will have to wade through water that is approximately shin deep. Please dress appropriately. Upon your arrival in Machangulo, you will be collected by our driver, and will be taken directly to The villa. The drive is approximately 20 mins.
Maputo National Park
Capable 4×4 Vehicle is essential.
Estimated travel time: 5 hours.
Take a scenic tour through the Maputo National Park, using your own vehicle.
Starting in the capital, Maputo, you’ll drive south, over the new bridge, towards Ponta de Oura. After approximately 120km, you’ll reach the West gate entrance of the national park.
Once through the gates, it's an additional 80kms of rough terrain (approximately 4hours), to our villa.
Chartered Aircraft
Advance booking required.
Estimated travel time: 15 mins
Relax and enjoy a flight over the incredible Maputo National Park and picturesque Machangulo Peninsula, to a private airstrip near The Monarch.
Fixed-wing and helicopter options are available.
Conservation
Our Turtle Sanctuary Island Runs Solely On Clean Energy
We have prevented 70 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere in the last year. Our island, Ilha do Fogo, in the Mozambique Channel, has been running exclusively on solar energy since November 2022.
First-of-a-kind island in Mozambique
Ilha do Fogo is a 42-hectare island off the coast of the Zambezia Province in Mozambique. The island is a safe haven for one of the world’s most vulnerable marine species… sea turtles. In order to protect Ilha do Fogo’s habitat, for all wildlife, we vowed to keep the island as low-impact on the environment as possible.
Many islands are powered almost entirely by fossil fuels, however, the environmental impact of producing this type of energy went against everything the Fire Island Conservation team is working towards.
Running Ilha do Fogo purely on solar energy just makes sense. We had already developed a number of solar stills to harvest fresh water on the island, so the transition to run all our energy needs on solar power was the logical next step.
We have proudly fully transitioned to 100% renewable energy at Ilha do Fogo.
A 120KW solar plant was installed on the island in November 2022. Although Ilha do Fogo has accommodation for guests in the manner of ‘floating’ ensuite tents, it has only recently opened up to eco-tourism. With the solar system currently operating at a fairly low usage level, it is generating an average of 6000 kWh per month. This translates to a reduction of around 70,000 kg of CO2 annually. However, it can easily generate 13,000 kWh per month to accommodate our guests on the island, which equates to an annual reduction of 156,000 kg of CO2.
Wildlife Sanctuary
Forming part of the Primeiras e Segundas Environmental Protection Area, it is essential that we protect coastal biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of marine habitats and species.
The island is truly a biodiversity hotspot and we aim to do everything in our power to safeguard its marine and terrestrial populations. Running on diesel-power energy goes against our ethics. Not only would this type of energy create a huge carbon footprint just in transporting fuel to the island, but would also emit pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can be harmful to wildlife.
Fire Island Conservation
Fire Island Conservation has worked in Mozambique for seven years. Our projects aim to protect coastal biodiversity through community enrichment programs and sustainable tourism. At present, we have employed locals as guards for the island to monitor poaching activities and we aim to put some of them through official turtle monitoring training.
We are also creating various skills development apprenticeships to uplift local communities. The main efforts of our conservation projects are carried out on Ilha do Fogo, since it offers a safe space for nesting green and hawksbill turtles and foraging olive ridleys, and serves as an important movement corridor for pelagic species.
Responsible Tourism
Ilha do Fogo’s guest accommodation was carefully considered to minimise any environmental impact. There are 10 tented suites sitting atop platforms that were built to ensure the existing ecosystems and vegetation remain intact. With each tent sleeping two people, we could feasibly have 20 guests staying at any given time. However, we want to keep guest capacity to a maximum of 12, ensuring our impact remains at a minimum.
Each suite is located a distance away from each other, within the natural clearings of our island’s tree-lined thicket, offering guests privacy and seclusion. The wonderful thing about this ‘glamping’ type of stay, is that you are truly immersed in nature. Guests have all the modern conveniences of electricity, running water, furniture, and plush bedding, while deepening their engagement with the surrounding environment.
We have opted to build only the dive centre and social area, from sustainable Msasa wood, sourced from Mozambique’s only FSC-certified company. And although WiFi is available, we recommend unplugging and savouring the restoring escape.
Cliff Jacobs (Nat Dpl Hotel Man (UJ). MPRE. GA Level 5 TEFL) Managing Principal / CEO Exquisite Hotel Consultants (Pty) Ltd Mobile: +27 (0) 84 413 1071 / +27 (0) 61 716 6951 Landline: +27 (0) 21 554 0283 Email: cliff@exquisitehotelconsultants.com Web: https://www.exquisitehotelconsultants.com © All rights reserved Terms and Conditions apply Scroll down to view our Hospitality Properties and Businesses for sale or lease or lease-to-buy or partnership arrangement or management agreement arrangement
