Ibo Island Lodge

Ibo Island Lodge

What used to be the very popular stopover - Bela Vista Lodge; is now the equally popular and beautifully renovated colonial-style Ibo Island Lodge, which opened to acclaim in December 2006. The century-old buildings have been restored in keeping with the long and colourful history of Ibo Island, with influences from the Arab, Indian, and European presence on the island.

Ibo Island Lodge encompasses three magnificent mansions each over a century old with walls a metre thick and high, lofty ceilings. The lodge offers a unique island experience with nine luxury air-conditioned and en-suite rooms. Each one is individual and in keeping with the wonderful majestic aura of the island, and the wide verandas are adorned with mahogany and teak day beds, carved by some of the island's most skilled artists and decorated with cushions covered in vibrant fabrics.

Ibo is a truly magical island and lodge clients can get lost in the alluring history of the island, watch the experienced silversmiths at work, explore the old fortresses, relax by one of the lodge's three pools, or sit back in one of the comfy swinging settees and enjoy the peaceful gardens with a good book. For the more energetic, Ibo Island is set in the third largest mangrove forest in the world, which just calls for exploration from the perfect vantage point of the comfortable kayaks on offer to guests with nothing to hear but a myriad of birds communicating with each other.

Snap the perfect photo in the minutes when the dhows get framed against the horizon in the most dazzling of sunsets, whilst enjoying a sundowner in the cool breeze on the rooftop terrace. Follow that with some of the freshest seafood and a glass of cool, crisp wine.

To enjoy their stay to the full, guests are treated to a boat trip to a sand-spit between Ibo and Matemo Islands for some snorkelling and sunbathing, with a picnic set up on the pure white sand, set under the shade of an umbrella. Round off the lazy afternoons with an Ibo inspired traditional massage either in the garden or in the privacy of your room with home made coconut oil to calm and relax.

Transfers. By plane from Pemba airport, a direct light air transfer can take just 25 minutes - a spectacular flight over the Quirimbas Islands. Flights cost from $127 per person each way plus a $10 per person domestic departure tax on the Pemba - Ibo leg. From Ibo airstrip, lodge staff will collect you by vehicle and take you to check in at the Lodge. Guests are restricted to 15 kilograms of luggage per person including hand luggage, which needs to be packed in soft bags.