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Email Guludo Beach Lodge reservations: book@go.mozbookings.com
Guludo Beach Lodge Mozambique
Step off your veranda to an idyllic white, tropical beach stretching
as far as your eyes can see.
Each room spectacularly over looks Guludo's famous beach, declared
one of the top 20 deserted beaches in the world by The Observer.
The lodge has been designed by award-winning architects, Cullum
& Nightingale, to ingeniously blended luxury with a mix of traditional
and contemporary styles and with the highest of environmental and
social integrity.
Each of our Bandas (rooms) has been carefully designed so you can
watch the sun spectacularly rise over neighbouring Rolas Island
through bleary eyes from the comfort of your own, extravagant king-sized
bed. Only the occasional monkey playing in your hammock can disturb
the peace!
We offer 4 types of accommodation; Adobe Bandas, Tented Bandas,
Family Banda and Zala Suite.
Guludo Lodge:
Squeezed between the dazzling Indian Ocean and wild African bush,
Guludo Beach Lodge overlooks undoubtedly one of the best beaches
in Mozambique. In the north of the Quirimbas National Park; Guludo
boasts incredible wildlife, above and below the warm waters edge.
Guludo Beach Lodge is perfectly situated to discover these wonders
including diving the pristine coral reefs, exploring the islands,
soaking up the rich local culture as well as taking in the vast
African bush. Guludo; a tropical, barefoot paradise, on a deserted,
powder white beach. Lapping turquoise waters, rustling palms and
a sultry sun guarantee complete tranquility. Guludo has a rustic
exclusivity with spacious, beach-front bandas and an intimate feel
with character filled service and an exotic, fresh seafood-based
cuisine. The perfection of Guludo is sealed in its design, ensuring
the presence of each guest actively benefits the local community
and environment just by being there.
Accommodation:
The spacious tented bandas at Guludo Beach Lodge give panoramic
views through the netted walls, creating a feeling of being outside
while inside. Raised bedrooms sit under an expansive palm-thatched
roof, opening upwards and outwards to make the most of the stunning
sea views and cooling sea breeze. Each of the nine tented-bandas
at Guludo have a quirky alfresco marbled bathroom.
Area Attractions
Activities Quirimbas Archipelago Scuba Diving:
Guludo Beach Lodge Guludo is perfectly positioned to dive some of
the best, and most pristine, coral reefs in the world. Opposite
Guludo's calm bay is the Quirimbas Archipelago's fringing reef with
breath-taking coral diversity as well as copious schools of game
fish, turtles, sharks and, at the right time of year, humpback whales.
Elephant Lookout This viewpoint is one of the very
few places possible to view elephants during the day. Also, here
you are likely to see antelopes, primates, warthogs and, if youre
lucky, some of the large cats.
Mangrove Paddle Tour Paddle through the mystic
mangrove forests South of Guludo are expansive mangrove forests
with endless channels disappearing deep into the forest where birds,
crabs and primates live in a peaceful, tidal wonderland.
Sunset Dhow Sail Go for a sunset sail on our famous
tradtional dhow, Mustajabo, made by hand in Guludo village.
About Guludo
Our idea was to create an innovative and sustainable model to relieve
poverty and protect the environment. The result was Guludo Beach
Lodge and its associated charity, Nema Foundation.
Donating 5% of its income to the charity, the lodge maximises the
benefits to the local area whilst the charity, Nema Foundation implements
a wide array of community and conservation projects. Although in
its infancy, this model has since become an award-winning and internationally
applauded strategy for addressing extreme rural poverty and environmental
degradation.
Guludo is part of a larger model set up to relieve poverty and protect
the environment.
The Power of a Dream
Guludo was set up by Amy and Neal Carter-James, a young English
couple who passionately believed that a quality tourism product
could be a powerful tool to enable poor, rural communities to work
their way out of poverty. Mozambique was the chosen as the location,
despite neither of them having previously been, simply because of
it's fantastic tourism potential alongside extreme rural poverty;
a place they believe they could have maximum impact and bring most
benefits. The dream started to be realised in late 2002 during a
moonlit community meeting in Guludo village, when their response
to our question "would you like to work with us to realise
this dream" was a resounding "yes, when can you start?"
Now, the dream really has been realised, although there is still
plenty of work to be done.
The journey so far certainly has been eventful to say the least.
If you're ever in Guludo with Neal and Amy you may hear some of
the unbelievable adventures that have led to the success of Guludo
Beach Lodge.
The Future
Inspired by the people living in the Guludo area, Guludo Beach Lodge
is just the beginning. Like many entrepreneurs, ideas are always
abound and you never quite know what's just around the corner in
their quest of using business to relieve poverty...
The Foundation
Nema Foundation was established by the owners of Guludo Beach Lodge
to work in the areas around the lodge to achieve their charitable
goals.
Nema currently works with 12 communities around Guludo, approximately
15,000 people. Some of Nema's current activities and achievements
thus far include;
- Feeding 500 children one nutritious school meal every day
- Providing clean water for over 12,000 people from 29 water points.
- Providing over 4,400 mosquito nets to mothers of young children.
- Currently fund 79 Secondary School Scholars.
Email Guludo Beach Lodge reservations: book@go.mozbookings.com
Customer comments on Guludo Beach Lodge
Feedback comments
Guludo is not only a romantic getaway but also a stunning project:
environmental sustainability and local community support.
Great things are: bandas design (you should see the shower!!),
monkeys everyday in front of the room, showering under the stars,
great food, great staff, humpback whales (yes, yes... we said
whales!!! if you go whale watching of course) and a local village
close by (do go and visit it... it's an incredible experience).
Sea view is ensured, even from the toilet (actually, you can
get a stunning view from there!!!). From the bandas (accommodation)
you can feel the wind, hear the sea, see the stars... you are
not closed into a room but you become part of nature, even if
pampered by exclusivity and total privacy. We went barefoot
the entire of our stay!
Important to know for those used to switching on tv when they
get back to their room and keeping in contact with the outer
world through their mobile that this is not the place to be.
Guludo has no electricity (even though you can charge your cameras/electric
equipment in the manager office for a few hours a day) and therefore
also no tap water running. No mobile connection is available.
That being said, we found the place amazing...
The new bandas are recommended: some friends staying in the
tents were not as lucky as we were as the tents can be too exposed
to the weather and you have to share toilet.
Drawbacks are: activities cost a lot (so make sure that you
account for them and be aware that you are definitely going
to go for them), breakfast is a bit slow (account for 1h), sea
is not so beautiful (but a very nice island and beaches are
a few minutes away... unfortunately these are activities you
have to pay for). |
| Date of Visit: March 2009 |
Name of Guests: Milan Italy |
Feedback comments
I chose Guludo for a bush/beach weekend break from the busy
city (Pretoria, SA) routine and was more than happy with my
choice.
They have the perfect tropical paradise (12 km long!) beach
setting.
And being on the mainland you miss on the claustrophobic feeling
that comes with small islands.
The lodge is not far from local fishing communities, so you
do mingle with them on the beach, and I do see this as a bonus.
Apparently my stay there contributes both directly and indirectly
for the local communities' well being. And they are very friendly
in return and one feels very safe.
This lodge is also my type of lodge being rustic and lacking
electricity and running water. One gets private bushshowers,
which are more than enough. I remember I preferred staying in
one of their tents, but did not regret at all being accommodated
in on of their new designer's "eco-bandas". I can
appreciate the excellent taste of the architect/designer of
these.
The lodge is run quite effectively by a bunch of young British
people, most of them on 1 or 2 year contracts, very enthusiastic
about their jobs (and the good causes supported by the lodge)
an very professional. Service was immaculate.
Diving was also great in terms of number of turtles encountered
:-)
Well, one thing that I aslo enjoyed a lot, was the lodge being
quiet this time of year. It was only me and another very nice
couple from Canada . I can imagine, that during peak times,
it could get a bit overcrowded in the bar/dining area. Especially
if it starts raining and everyone tries to fit in the limited
roofed space. But this is compensated by the space one gets
on the beach when it's not raining.
The transfer from Pemba is quite a pleasant 4 hours scenic drive
on good roads. Unfortunately my flight arrived 1:30 hours late,
so most of the drive was in the dark.
You don't have much of choice when it comes to the dining experience.
You can expect the catch of the day. And you don't expect sophisticated
cuisine in a bush environment. And there comes the nice surprise
- the cooking was so good, so it wins my gold medal among several
similar class establishments in the area.
Bottomline - this lodge is excellent. I can only wish them to
keep the good work. |
Date of Visit: Nov 2008
|
Name of Guests: Sofia, Bulgaria |
Feedback comments
We stayed here for a week we travelled overland from Tanzania
(apparently the first guests to try this...) which took about
2 days, there are easier ways to do it but we enjoyed the journey
and experiencing the bigness of africa. Guludo is 'barefoot'
luxury - no electricity, safari style tents but comfy beds and
very atmospheric - a major highlight is being able to see the
moonlight on the sea when you're in bed. the fresh sea food
was delicious (not a place to go if you don't eat seafood!!)
and the service charming. Does help the guilt of enjoying your
holiday to know that the lodge puts something back into the
local community and it was great to see some of the projects
in action on a trip to the village. |
| Date of Visit: Nov 2008 |
Name of Guests: Jack London |
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