 The
Villa is situated in spacious gardens with easy access to the calm
and clear-water lagoon, only 2km from Bilene main village. The Villa
offers 8 bedrooms and an open air dining room with a small lounge
(with television), and kitchen.
The bedroom-units are built in a X-shape, with 4 bedrooms per building,
which are serviced daily by our friendly staff. The two buildings
are next to the dining area (all within walking distance).
Secure parking is available, suitable for buses and large coaches.
The facilities are for the sole use of lodge guests and their visitors
only.
Unfortunately credit cards are not accepted.
Accounts to be settle in advance or with cash on arrival.
Check-in time:
Between 13:00 – 19:00
Kindly arrange for late check-ins in advance.
Check-out time:
Before 10:30
About the area:
Villa Espanhola is situated on the outskirts of the village of Bilene,
Gaza province, Mozambique. Bilene is nestled next to the wonderful
27 km long San Martin lagoon (Lagoa Uembje) and is easy accessible
to visitors on good tarred roads.
Turning off 160 km north of Maputo (Mozambique’s capital)
at the town of Macia you will travel a further 30km to reach Bilene.
It is the closest Mozambican beach resort to Johannesburg, and attracts
many South African visitors during the holiday seasons.
Although Bilene is an ideal Mozambique holiday destination on its
own, it also serves as a good stop over point for those travelling
to destinations such as Xai Xai, Inhambane and the Bazaruto Archipelago.
The town has numerous restaurants and bars as well as a weekend
disco.
Petrol and diesel are both available at Praia do Bilene. There are
also various simple shops and a small colourful market where very
basic products can be bought.
Things to do:
The 27km long and 5 km wide lagoon is an ideal family spot with
long white stretches of sand for beach games and shallow, calm water
for safe swimming. The lagoon does plunge up to depths of 50 meters,
but is so shallow near the shores that it’s perfect for children.
Bilene is particularly popular for water sports enthusiasts, from
jet-ski’s, water-skiing and parasailing, to non-motorized
sports such as paddle-ski’s, and windsurfing.
The mouth of the lagoon, usually blocked by a massive sand bank,
is best reached by boat but a long difficult 4X4 track does allow
access to the beach. Yearly the mouth is opened manually by 300
locals, preceded by a ceremony where the chief of the area bless
the ritual.
Other popular activities in Bilene include decent fishing, sailing,
diving both in the lagoon and the open ocean, kayaking, hiking,
canoeing, wake boarding, snorkeling as well as whale watching and
boat rides. There are some lovely off road routes around the lake
system as well, with great quad bike trails.
A 35 km ride through villages and inland lakes go as far as the
Limpopo River Mouth. Birders also enjoy the birdlife, with large
populations of flamingos and various other water birds visiting
the area in the summer months searching the shallow fringes of the
water for food, adding a true tropical paradise feel to the region.
We will gladly provide information and maps to assist in planning
and organizing your activities, but strongly advise to bring your
own equipment for motorized sports.
Bilene village offers a variety of Portuguese and seafood restaurants,
where you can enjoy tasty food and relax in the ambience of a tropical
beach lifestyle:
Aquarius - Portuguese restaurant / bar / swimming pool/exotic birds
on the beach
Palmeiras - Portuguese restaurant / bar on beach
Pousada - Pub & games arcade
Bilene Hotel - Restaurant, pub & dancing
San Martinho - Restaurant on the beach
Praia Do Sol - Restaurant, pub & swimming pool
Tamar – Restaurant on beach & dancing Karaoke
Carrioca - Restaurant, pub, pool table and splash pool on beach
Please note that the following information is only to be used as
a guideline to assist with planning your visit to Mozambique. Kindly
check all requirements directly with the relevant authorities. Villa
Espanhola, its management and staff cannot be held responsible for
the information below. Amounts and costs could change, and the exchange
rate fluctuates.
Climate:
The climate is sub-tropical with warm temperatures, humidity and
sunshine throughout the year. Summer is between October and March,
and the winters are mild. Rains falls largely between January and
March, but the temperatures remain high, reaching up to 30ºC.
Average daily summer temperatures are from 20 - 35ºC. The best
time to visit is between May and November, when rainfall and temperatures
are at its lowest. It is a lso good to travel during the early part
of the warm, rainy season from November to January, but be prepared
for sweltering temperatures, especially during January. During the
holiday season, i.e. Easter, Christmas, New Years and in August,
Mozambique’s coastal resorts become overrun with visitors
and travelers, so book in advance. Currency Please note that there
are no credit card facilities at the lodge.
The lodge operates strictly on a cash only basis. Please ensure
you bring sufficient cash in either SA Rands, US $ or Meticais for
the duration of your stay.
Accommodation should be paid in full via electronic transfer before
arrival date.
Electricity:
Electricity is supplied in the rooms and can cater for hairdryers,
etc. South African (220V) style plugs with 2 circular metal pins
above the large circular grounding pin is used in Mozambique without
an adapter.
South African 3 pin plugs (2 small circular metal pins above one
large circular grounding pin) requires an adapter. Gratuities Gratuities
are not added automatically or included on the reservation account.
It is not compulsory to give gratuities as well; but any contributions
would be highly appreciated and may be given to the manager directly
or to the staff individually.
Health:
This is a malaria area. Please contact your doctor. There are no
medical facilities at the lodge. Please bring a fully equipped first
aid kid and include any prescription medication, anti-malaria prophylactics
and anti histamines.
Laundry service:
The bedrooms and lodge are serviced daily, and a laundry service
is provided. Linen Bath towels are supplied, but kindly bring your
own beach towels.
Safety - beach All swimmers and beach goers are
for your own safety. No lifeguards are available on the beach or
lagoon
Telephones:
There are no telephones in the lodge’s bedrooms, but with
international roaming activated your cellphone will be functional.
Mozambique has a state owned cell phone provider, Mcel and the
South African owned Vodacom Mozambique. Telephone facilities are
available at the local post office in Bilene, open from 7am –
7pm, where international call can be made.
Water:
Water from the lodge comes from a borehole and is fine for washing
and bathing. Bottled water is recommended for drinking and is on
sale at the lodge.
 Things
to remember to bring along:
• There is no need for an off road vehicle
• Any meat brought across the border should be vacuumed packed.
• Sun screen
• Beach towels
• Beach umbrella
• Insect repellents
• Camera, camcorder, binoculars and batteries.
• Torch
• International adaptors
• Small medical kit, note Hydrogen peroxide is very effective
for insect bites and scratches.
• Pen to complete border crossing papers
Directions:
Take N4 (Witbank highway - very good condition) from Johannesburg
to Nelspruit. Budget for tollroad cost of approximately R150.
Continue on the N4 to Komatipoort (the last town on the South Africa
side). +/- 50 km from Komatipoort you will go through the last SA
tollgate.
Just past Komatipoort is the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Border Post.
Once you are on the Mozambique side, follow the N4 (now called the
EN4) for another 100 km (62.1 miles) to the capital city of Maputo.
35km’s after the border you will come to the 1st Mozambique
toll road (95 Mts /R 25/5$).
+/- 45 km after the tollgate you should turn left at a set of traffic
lights in Matola (Shoprite on left-hand side).
To shop at Shoprite or eat at the restaurant, you will have to turn
left into the parking before the traffic lights, no entrance after
traffic lights to Shoprite/ toilets /restaurant.)
After you turned left at traffic lights, travel 6km to another tollgate
(19 Mts/R 5.5). Through tollgate (only Mts change).
After 3kms you will see a sign to Xai-Xai (EN 1), just before you
cross over a large bridge.
Turn left to take Xai-Xai off ramp. (Turning right will take you
to Maputo.)
Follow directions to Xai-Xai for 165 km to a town called Macia.
You will be going through a lot of robots, traffic circles and
small towns.
• After about 15 km on EN1you will pass a weighbridge (Traffic
cops/inspectors).
• After about 50 km on EN1 you will get the first and only
Ultra City. (Good stop for clean toilets and food - no fuel).
On route to Bilene you will go through the following towns: Maluana,
Manhica, Machia, Palmeira, Mimbini, Magul, Mauzir, Traffic control
center, Macia.
+/- 165 km from Maputo at Macia (BP fuel station on left) turn right
off the main road to Bilene (R453).
There is a sign “Praia do Bilene”.
Travel+/- 33 km to Bilene, you will see a river on the left and
reach a traffic circle.
Leave the traffic circle (3:00 position) so that the Hotel (yellow
building) is on your left hand side.
Follow road for 2km to the T-junction and turn right.
After 500m the tar ends and becomes a sand road.
After 500m take the 1st road left (at grass island with tree stumps).
Follow the road, it will turn to the right. Villa Espanhola’s
gate will be on your left hand side.
From border posts to Maputo From Maputo north (towards Xai-Xai)
on EN1 for 165 km Turn right at Macia for another 33 km to Bilene
Travel on the N2 past Richardsbay, Empangeni, Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe
, Mkuze and Pongola Game Reserve entrance on right.
Turn right at Golela/Swaziland sign (this is before Pongola town,
and 39km after Mkuze), to travel +/- 18 km to the border. 1 km After
the border keep straight through very large traffic circle. 71 km
after the border turn right on the MR 16 to Siteki. After 40 km
turn right at T-junction on MR 7 to Siteki.
8 km further turn left to Goba (before Siteki Hotel).
Travel 28 km to Goba/Mhlumeni border post. 30 km after Goba border
turn right at T-junction on N2 to Maputo. After 17 km you will reach
a T-junction (road to left gravel road), turn right towards Maputo.
40 km Further you will reach the 1st set of traffic lights at Matola
(Shoprite on left after traffic light). This is a good place to
stop for coffee/lunch at Mundo's and shop at the Checkers for any
emergency suppli Note that in order to enter the parking area or
shops, you have to turn left at the traffic lights and then right
into the parking area.
There is no turn into the parking area after the traffic lights.
6km after traffic lights at Matola pass through tollgate(17.5 Mts
- can pay in Rands, but you will only receive Mts change). Through
tollgate (only Mts change). Through tollgate (only Mts change).
you will reach a tollgate (19 Mts/R 5.5).
Through tollgate (only Mts change).
After 3kms you will see a sign to Xai-Xai (EN 1), just before you
cross over a large bridge.
Turn left to take Xai-Xai off ramp. (Turning right will take you
to Maputo.) Follow directions to Xai-Xai for 165 km to a town called
Macia.
You will be going through a lot of robots, traffic circles and small
towns.
• After about 15 km on EN1 you will pass a weighbridge (Traffic
cops/inspectors).
• After about 50 km on EN1 you will get the first and only
Ultra City. (Good stop for clean toilets and food - no fuel). On
route to Bilene you will go through the following towns: Maluana,
Manhica, Machia, Palmeira, Mimbini, Magul, Mauzir, Traffic control
center, Macia. +/- 165 from Maputo at Macia (BP fuel station on
left) turn right off the main road to Bilene (R453). There is a
sign “Praia do Bilene”.
Travel+/- 33 km to Bilene, you will see a river on the left and
reach a traffic circle. Leave the traffic circle (3:00 position)
so the Hotel (yellow building) is on your left hand side. Follow
road for 2km to the T-junction and turn right. After 500m the tar
ends and becomes a sand road. After 500m take the 1st road left
(at grass island with tree stumps). Follow the road, it will turn
to the right. Villa Espanhola’s gate will be on your left
hand side.
Flights to Mozambique available from:
• South Africa: Durban, Cape Town and Mpumalanga
• Portugal: Lisbon
• Tanzania: Dar es Salaam
• Kenya: Nairobi
• Zimbabwe: Harare International Airports Mavalane International
(MPM), five miles (8 km) north of Maputo. Beira (BEW), eight miles
(13 km) from the city Beira. Inhambane, Lichinga, Nampula, Pemba
and Vilanculos.
Email for Reservations: book@go.mozbookings.com
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Villa Espanhola offers stylish, but affordable accommodation in
8 Tuscan style studio units. 