Niassa is the most Northern Province with a humid tropical environment. Precipitation occurs during the hot season beginning in late October until late April or early May. The recently opened Lugenda Wildlife Reserve is an untouched and undiscovered 45 000 square kilometre expanse of land teeming with wildlife. Endemic sub-species, notably Johnston's Impala, the Niassa Wildebeest and Boehm's Zebra occur in the reserve and the elephant population is notable for its big tuskers. The Niassa Reserve represents one of Africa's largest protected areas of Miombo woodland. There is a wide variety of carnivores in the reserve, with 26 species accounted for. Leopards are common but Lion and Spotted Hyaena densities appear to be low. The reserve has a Wild Dog population of global significance. Over 400 species of bird have been recorded here and four species classified as globally threatened in the list of red data species and of particular interest for bird watchers are Taita Falcon, Southern Banded Snake-eagle, African Skimmer and Stierling's Woodpecker as well as the multicoloured African Pitta.

Getting there:
Lugenda Bush Camp has its own airstrip with fly-in access from Pemba International Airport (scheduled flights to Pemba with LAM [Mozambique Airlines] and SA Airlink).


Scheduled transfers to Lugenda Bush Camp from Pemba Airport are operated using a light aircraft transfer (duration: ±90 minutes).


For any flights arriving in Pemba after 14h00, guests need to overnight in Pemba, and will be transferred to Lugenda the following morning.


Due to the use of light aircraft for your scheduled transfer, you are requested to limit your luggage to a MAXIMUM OF 15KG and to utilise SOFT LUGGAGE CARRIERS. Failure to do so may result in luggage arrival being delayed and / or incurring penalties.

Lugenda Bush Camp ****
Your air transfer takes you into the midst of the Ngalongue Mountains to a 700 m grass strip; from here you are transferred to the Lugenda Bush camp which is sited on the Lugenda River. After a short de-briefing by the management you are taken to your tent to settle in. Accommodation is in 8 luxury East-African style tents, 6 x Kings and 2 x Twins. All tents have an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower, ceiling fan, hair dryer, safe and wooden viewing deck. The tents have a concrete screed floor with individual Victorian styled deep tub and shower. The tents are situated beneath large wild fig trees which attract Elephant during the early morning and late afternoon. The canvas tents are spacious with easy to use flaps, but a proper entrance door that can be locked. Other amenities include gowns, separate toilet and shower, free standing tub, hair dryers, standing mirror in bedroom, desk with chair, king size bed with beautiful linen and cushions, mosquito net (optional), ceiling fan, armchair, private veranda with desk and chair. Lovely toiletries (shampoo, soap, body lotion, after-shave), in-room safe and bottled water. There is a nightly turn down service and the tents are very private and you have a sense of safety.

You will savour amazing cuisine especially considering that you are in the middle of nowhere! A tray with coffee, truffles and biscuits will be waiting for you on the veranda of your tent before the early morning game drive. Breakfast, high tea and dinner are all taken in the open dining room in the main lodge, which also offers a well stocked bar with a selection of red and white wines, soft drinks and an ice machine.

The camp has a swimming pool with comfortable recliners. At present the elephants in the camp are a huge attraction, but you should only leave your tent when staff or management are nearby.

The area is well-suited to game drives; the vehicles take 8 guests; and the game drives are directed by qualified guides. The scenery is dotted with baobab trees and palms and interspersed with large granitic domes, covered in bizarre resurrection-like plants. The results of an aerial census carried out in October 2002, estimated an elephant population of 12 000 with evidence of an increasing trend in numbers. The Reserve also has over 9000 of the sable antelope and several thousands each of Cape Buffalo, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, Eland, and plains Zebra. There are smaller populations of Greater Kudu, Bushbuck, Impala, Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Common Reedbuck, and Hippopotamus. Duiker and Warthogs abound. Lion, Leopard and Spotted Hyaena are common. The estimated population of the endangered African Wild Dog exceeds 200 individuals, which identifies the Niassa Reserve as one of the last refugees for this species. Of particular interest are three endemic subspecies, which exist in Niassa but are rare elsewhere, namely: Niassa Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus johnstoni), Boehm's Zebra (Equus burchelli boehmi), and Johnston's Impala (Aepyceros melampus johnstoni).

Please note:
Clients should not bring any dark colour jackets and pants as these colours attract the Tsetse fly. We recommend good hiking/walking shoes. Bring hat and cotton clothes.
Please advise of any special dietary requirements.
Lugenda cannot guarantee you to see the big five as yet as the animals are still very shy.
No children under 12 years.
Kindly note that Lugenda Bush Camp is situated in a malaria area and necessary precautions should be taken
Due to the rainy season in the area, Lugenda Bush Camp will be operational from mid-May to the end of November each year only.
Luggage is restricted to soft bags 15 kg.
There are no toilets on the flights Pemba-Lugenda and the islands.
Quirimba Archipelago: Matemo

Situated in a marine sanctuary off the Northern Mozambican coast is the little jewel of Matemo Island. Still pristine and unexplored this island is home to Matemo Island Resort. Perfect for families, couples and the elderly, the beach in front of the resort is wave free and children can spend many hours playing safely in the turquoise waters whilst parents are able to sit on their verandas lapping up the magnificent views. Matemo Island is 8 kilometres in length and 3 kilometres wide. The island is lush and tropical and surrounded by coconut palms and indigenous plants.

The Matemo Resort accommodation consists of a total of 24 thatched chalets, situated 10 metres from a glorious white beach all with sea view and breathtaking sunsets. Each chalet is decorated with an East African theme with dark wooden floors, four poster beds, wooden blinds and luxurious linen. The bathrooms are a delight with custom-made baths plus separate indoor showers overlooking the ocean plus outside private showers. All chalets all have verandas with day beds / loungers and hammocks perfect for watching the world go by. Each chalet has a mini-bar, air conditioning, and tea/coffee-making facilities, hair-dryer & electronic safe.

This warm and friendly resort offers all the amenities you expect in a luxury resort such as
Lounge / Bar

Restaurant

Swimming Pool

Activities Centre (fishing, diving, snorkelling, games, kids entertainment)

Secluded areas for those wanting to just have peace and quiet and read.

All chalets have a bath, shower and external shower, mini-bar, air conditioning, tea/coffee-making facilities, hair dryer & electronic safe.
For those who need more than beach then take a stroll through the lush gardens and discover a multitude of birds that inhabit the island plus the migratory visitors to the island. For a real treat, take a stroll along the Western beach and see Flamingos preening and feasting themselves in the shallow waters.

As far as excursions go, there is a wide choice to offer all clients. Enjoy a sunset cruise, embark on a cultural tour to nearby, historical Ibo Island (20 minutes by boat), or enjoy a scenic hike through the baobabs and palm groves on the island. For real authenticity try a Dhow cruise to one of the surrounding islands; Rolas and Ibo.

Other water sports include waterskiing, tubing, wake snake, wake boarding, Hobie cats, sea kayaks. Spear fishing is permitted outside the perimeter of the Marine Reserve. Volleyball, beach badminton and various board games are available at both the Activity Centre and main bar.

Accommodation is in 8 luxury East-African style tents, 6 x Kings and 2 x Twins. All tents have an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower, ceiling fan, hair dryer, safe and wooden viewing deck. The tents have a concrete screed floor with individual Victorian styled deep tub and shower. The tents are situated beneath large wild fig trees which attract Elephant during the early morning and late afternoon. The canvas tents are spacious with easy to use flaps, but a proper entrance door that can be locked. Other amenities include gowns, separate toilet and shower, free standing tub, hair dryers, standing mirror in bedroom, desk with chair, king size bed with beautiful linen and cushions, mosquito net (optional), ceiling fan, armchair, private veranda with desk and chair. Lovely toiletries (shampoo, soap, body lotion, after-shave), in-room safe and bottled water. There is a nightly turn down service and the tents are very private and you have a sense of safety.