Our villas are accessible by road, sea, or air.

By road: our staff can collect guests at Maputo International Airport and from there, drive to the property through the spectacular Maputo National Park. Self-driving with a 4x4 through the park is also possible.

By sea: our reservations team can organise guest transport to Maputo Marina to hop on a private boat across Maputo Bay. Guests should note that there is a high chance of having to wade through the shallow waters at Santa Maria when they disembark.

By air: guests can charter a private plane or helicopter from Maputo International Airport and fly directly to the Machangulo Private Airfield. From there, our staff will collect guests by car to take them to the villa.

Our travel team can arrange all flights and transfers. All guests need to do is choose their preference and show up. Quotes on request.

Santa Maria: The heart of Machangulo, Santa Maria is the only village on the peninsula and is a hub of cultural activity. The best spot to enjoy a cocktail or beer is certainly Bemugi’s Bar & Restaurant. The sunset bar of Bemugi’s is an ideal place to savour views over the bay towards Maputo, and it offers a great beach vibe restaurant and bar, should guests wish to enjoy a social day out.

Day trips to Santa Maria can be arranged with our concierge.

Inhaca Island: A short 10-minute boat ride away from Santa Maria is the picturesque Inhaca Island. Here, guests can experience local culture with a visit to the town on the island’s northern side, or visit the historic lighthouse. They can also simply enjoy a leisurely day on the pristine beaches of southern Inhaca, where we can arrange picnic brunch or lunch. Inhaca is the ideal place for snorkelling, kayaking, SUP, or a selection of other water sports. It is also very safe for kids to play, as the quiet bay has no waves, and many guests have been fortunate to observe the resident loggerhead turtles.

Deep sea fishing: Our concierge can arrange a deep-sea fishing day trip, which offers an opportunity to catch marlin, tuna, barracuda, dorado, kingfish, and more. The beaches in front of the villas also offer an ideal spot for shore angling.

Hiking: The pristine, unspoiled beaches are perfect for leisurely strolls or hiking. There is a long stretch of uninhabited coastline and guests can walk for several kilometres without seeing another person. Our more adventurous guests will cherish the tranquil 6 km walk from Leatherback to Santa Maria. Our villa manager can organise for guests to be picked up at their destination, and returned to the villa. To the west of the villas is the beautiful Machangulo forest, which offers a delightful place to walk with respite from the midday sun.

Refer to the list of activities for more options to choose from.

Boat charter from Maputo. Departs from Maputo Marina at high tide only, or Porta de Pesca fishing harbour.

Estimated travel time: 1 – 1.5 hours from Maputo to Santa Maria, Machangulo Peninsula.

Please note, when disembarking the boat at Santa Maria and embarking upon return, guests will have to wade through water that is approximately shin deep. Appropriate clothing should be worn.

Upon arrival in Machangulo, guests will be collected by our driver, and taken directly to the villa across sand roads in a 4x4. The drive is between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the destination villa.

Boat transfer rates – from USD310 per boat (6 – 8 people). For a quote, please reach out to us. Prices subject to change.

Self-driving is an option for guests familiar with the roads. A capable 4×4 vehicle is essential.
Take a scenic tour through the Maputo National Park. Starting in the capital, Maputo, the drive takes guests south, over the new bridge, towards Ponta do Ouro. After approximately 120km, they will reach the West Gate entrance of the national park (Futi Gate).

Once through the gates, there is an additional 80 kms of rough terrain to Machangulo Peninsula and our villas.
From the Maputo/Ponto do Ouro border to the villa, the estimated travel time is 5 – 6 hours.
We can also collect guests from Maputo or from the gate. Rates from Maputo start from USD300 per vehicle and USD250 from the gate (maximum of four guests). All of our vehicles have the necessary permits and insurance. Rates exclude park fees.
Prices subject to change.

Once you have arrived at the Maputo Airport, You reach Machangulo either by water, air or land.

There is no better way to start a perfect vacation, than exiting a boat into the shallow waters of Santa Maria or chartering your own little airplane from Maputo International airport.

Whether you arrive by boat, plane or helicopter, we will have a warm welcome for you.

If you choose to travel with your own car there is an adventurous drive through the Maputo National Park waiting for you, which will take you approximately 5 hrs from Maputo.

We are here to facilitate your journey and can happily arrange your pickup from Santa Maria or the airstrip.

As you arrive at this little paradise we will wait for you with a cold welcome drink, some chilled towels and a refreshing snack.

Pickup from arrival point to the vil & return Service Welcome Drink & Snack

(Additional cost)

Embark on a guided game drive through Machangulo Nature Reserve, to observe Mozambique’s terrestrial wildlife. We will arrange exquisite snacks for guests at one of the numerous scenic picnic sites.

There are a great variety of antelopes such as red duiker, wildebeest, waterbuck and eland, as well as zebras, giraffes and buffalo.

Elephants, hippos and crocodiles are found in the reserve, alongside over 300 bird species that reside in or migrate to the area. Regular birds observed often are African fish eagles, black-bellied bustard, various kingfishers, weavers, and many more.

Price on request: operated by a recommended third party.

One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to help vulnerable sea turtles is to take part in a tour to observe nesting or hatching turtles.

The magical moment when females heave themselves onto the shore to lay their egg clutches is a true bucket-list experience. Watching these charismatic animals carving out their nests, and laying dozens of eggs, before laboriously camouflaging the clutches with sand is remarkable. Equally as exceptional is the moment when the hatchlings break free from the nests and embark on a hazardous trek across the beach to the ocean. Our teams will ensure that their path to the ocean is clear of objects that might impede their journey.

We offer visitors an opportunity to join turtle monitoring tours, which provide crucial funds for monitoring, research, and patrol teams. We recommend that guests spend several days joining the patrols, who head out every 12 hours on low tide. As volunteers, you may get the opportunity to help with fieldwork, including data collection, ensuring that nesting areas are free of debris, tagging nesting turtles, and marking nests.

There is a cost of US$35 per person, per tour (subject to change).

Whales can be seen all along the southern coast of Africa. Our Mozambique villas are close to some of the best spots to witness the breathtaking behaviour of these magnificent creatures. Sipping coffee or a cocktail while watching whales from the balcony, is a blissful experience.

Relish the astonishing acrobatics of countless majestic humpback whales that traverse the coastline of Machangulo to mate, give birth and nurse their calves between July and October. Dolphins and other marine animals can be observed year-round, and southern right whales are seen in Machangulo between June and December.

Although you can observe whales without leaving the luxurious comforts of our villas, we highly recommend a boat trip to get closer to these spectacular animals.

Boat charters or whale watching tours operate from Santa Maria on the bay side, heading out to the open ocean.

Price on request: operated by a recommended third party.

Southern Mozambique is world-renowned for some of the best fishing. It offers an array of sought-after species, including a variety of billfish.

Best-known for marlin fishing, the coast of Machangulo Peninsula is paradise for anglers. The crystal turquoise waters are teeming with fish, and there are numerous boat and shore fishing opportunities, and various prolific spots, including the legendary Hell’s Gate. If black marlin are on your bucket list, your best chance to catch one is between October and February, with blue and striped marlin around between September and February. Sailfish are usually caught between June and October. The best season for kingfish (giant trevally), which can get up to 50 kgs, is undoubtedly March to July. Tuna and dorado fishing is year-round, however, high season tends to run from September to January.

We encourage tag and release, especially for vulnerable species such as blue marlin and sailfish. Delicious eating fish favoured by our chefs are yellowfin tuna and dorado. Beginners and novices are welcomed by some of the charters, and the trips include tackle and equipment.

Prices start from US$400 for a 4-hour boat fishing trip, with a capacity of four guests.

You can also try rock and shore angling. This requires a fishing license, which can be arranged on your behalf, alongside tackle and bait.

Price on request: operated by a recommended third party.

A sea safari cruise to Inhaca Island is a wonderful experience, anytime of the year. Inhaca Island is separated from Machangulo Peninsula by a quiet channel, and the island offers a marine sanctuary like no other.

Guests will spend the day surrounded by nature, and the cruises include a visit to the local Flamingo colony. A must-do is donning a mask, fins and snorkel to sink into the warm waters and get up close to the stunning protected coral reefs or the turtle inhabitants of the Marine Reserve.

A sea safari is a half day trip, or guests can extend it to a day trip to include exploring Inhaca Island, with either arrange a picnic-lunch on the beach or boat, or lunch at one of the island’s restaurants. Guests can also combine a sea safari with a sunset cruise to enjoy Maputo’s stunning evening skyline, or with a sundowner at the Beach Deck in Santa Maria.

Santa Maria offers an idyllic, calm spot for water sport activities. Guests can hire kayaks, Stand-Up Paddle boards, to enjoy the warm Machangulo waters with their travel parties. Tubing and wakeboarding is available, for intrepid guests and thrill-seekers. There is also an option to join a guided kayaking tour of the wondrous mangroves in the area.

Price list:
Double kayak (2-4hrs) - US$10
Guided kayaking tour of mangroves - US$40
Stand-up Paddle (2-4hrs) - US$10
Tubing/wakeboarding (30 mins) US$50

Prices subject to change: operated by a recommended third party.

Guests can savour unwinding from the day unwinding on a delightful sunset cruise. This is a time to relax and unwind, sip some champagne and watch the sun setting over the Maputo skyline.

Choose to book a private cruise or join an open cruise with one of the various operators in the area.

Price on request: operated by a recommended third party.

SCUBA diving and snorkeling enthusiasts will be in for an experience of a lifetime in Machangulo, which boasts pristine coral reefs and thrilling marine species.

Exploring the coral reefs in this relatively untouched area is the ultimate bucket list adventure. Dive into this rich and diverse marine ecosystem, with the possibility of encountering turtles, sharks, rays and other incredible pelagic species. The waters are always pleasant, with sea temperatures reaching 30°C in summer and only dropping to 21°C in winter, with depths of up to 30m. Machangulo still has many sites to discover, and offers the possibility of pinnacles, overhangs, coral arches and bucket-list encounters with Mozambique’s incredible marine animals.

All activities depend on safe weather conditions and prices exclude gear hire.

Guided SCUBA diving starts from US$40
SCUBA & snorkeling gear rental starts from US$10

Please note: some of our villas offer use of snorkeling gear at no cost.

Prices on request: operated by a recommended third party.

Unfound Africa takes great delight in helping guests plan their dream wedding. Our Mozambique properties serve as magnificent and unique venues for an unforgettable destination wedding.

For brides and grooms that can envisage the gentle breeze of the Indian Ocean in their hair, and sand between their toes, with luxurious amenities, a breathtaking wedding venue on the private beaches of Machangulo is ideal.

We can cater for wedding parties of up to 40 people.

Prices on request.

Our dazzling oceanfront properties in Mozambique offer a secluded destination for a one-of-a-kind honeymoon. Our remote villas are accessible via a ninety-minute boat ride from Maputo, or a scenic five-hour journey through a national park. For guests who prefer to arrive in style, we can arrange a private plane charter to get them to our villas, from Maputo, within 15 minutes.

All of our secluded villas have magnificent bedrooms that face the ocean and provide the utmost privacy. Guests can expect to awake every morning to the gentle sounds of the Indian Ocean, and to conclude every evening with a gourmet dining experience under the star-studded sky. The staggering beauty of the private beach in Machangulo is unlike any other. Honeymooners can walk for miles along the pristine sandy beaches without encountering anyone else.

Newlyweds can fill their days with as much or as little activity they like and our intuitive staff are available round the clock, to attend to their every need, ensuring that they enjoy the ultimate idyllic honeymoon.