As of 31st January 2015, Lodge will be CLOSED!

A warm welcome to Praia do Sol Bilene Mozambique, a lovely beach location where you can enjoy your family holiday. Take a vacation to Praia do Sol in Bilene and enjoy the swimming pool, relax on the beach or simply relax at the restaurant or bar. There are a range of rooms catering for romantic weekend getaways to family holiday accommodation.

Email Praia Do Sol Lodge reservations: book@go.mozbookings.com

Boa vinda a Bilene! Welcome to the beautiful town of Bilene in Mozambique, and more importantly welcome to Praia do Sol Beach Resort. Established 12 years ago, Praia do Sol Beach Resort has grown from 6 tents to a beautiful beach resort catering for 45 guests, all housed in Luxury Thai-style bungalows. Situated on the spectacular Uembje Lagoon, the Praia do Sol Beach Resort is an ideal family beach resort with safe swimming along the shallow shores and perfect conditions for any water sport, from diving to boating.

The Spirit of Praia Do Sol
When in Mozambique, one has to sample the local brew! Cold beer comes standard at Praia do Sol! The two most popular brands are Laurentina and 2M – pronounced dosh M. You will find more than just a cold beer in our bar – like Cocktails, Portuguese and South African Wine, Spirits, Refreshments, and a Great Atmosphere!!

Our bar is a social hub – great for sundowners or drinks before dinner. Relax. Chat. Play darts and keep on eye on the outside world with our DSTV linked television. (Also great for sports fans!) So why not sit down, relax and “gostar!”

Praia Do Sol Beach Resort is located near the quaint village Bilene which is a popular holiday destination in Mozambique. Situated alongside the beautiful San Martin lagoon, the village is an ideal destination for beach activities. Located only about 2km outside the village itself, the resort is easily accessible and offers many activities.

Accommodation at Praia do Sol, Bilene

A-frame, single and double-storey structures are built up into the hillside and have balconies overlooking the waters of the lake. All accommodation comes standard with mosquito nets and en-suite shower and toilet. Comfortable mattresses and cotton bed linen are our quality signature and rooms are serviced daily by our friendly staff.

Guests at Praia Do Sol Beach Resort can reside in either studio chalets or 2-bed, 4-bed and 6-bed chalets. The chalets are built from timber and natural materials. They are carefully placed and surrounded by natural vegetation.

All chalets in this resort in Mozambique have beds, mattresses, linen, mosquito nets, coils and a porch. Nearby activities among other things include diving, fishing, windsurfing, parasailing, canoeing, water skiing, wake boarding or bird watching.

The Self-catering units have all the basic catering utensils, gas Braai and a fridge/freezer. Bed rooms are well equipped with Bedding, bath towels, mosquito nets and fans. The units are Serviced Daily.

Details:

7 - Studios
1 double bed, or two single beds, in the same room. Toilet, basin and shower en-suite. Private porch

4 - Four Sleeper Chalets
2 rooms, shared bathroom and private porch. 1 bedroom has a double bed. The other room, has two or three single beds

2 - Five Sleeper Chalets
3 bedrooms, lounge, shared bathroom. Private porch. 1 bedroom has a double bed. The other bedroom has a single bed

2 - Self-catering units
The Self-catering units have all the basic catering utensils, gas Braai and a fridge/freezer. Bed rooms are well equipped with Bedding, bath towels, mosquito nets and fans. The units are Serviced Daily.

DINNING
All rates are on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis and when you join us for breakfast, lunch or supper, you won’t be disappointed - our relaxed restaurant is built on Rhodesian teak wooden decking over looking the San Martino Lake.
Relax in the ambience of a tropical beach lifestyle and enjoy a delightfully varied dinner menu prepared each evening.

The Portuguese influence is strong in the Mozambican cuisine and a huge variety of freshly prepared dishes awaits your appetite.

Although Mozambique is well regarded for its fish dishes, why not be daring and try something new like Portuguese chicken and Espetada! And remember to ask for the Praia do Sol Chili Sauce. It’s Amazing!

Fresh fruit, cereals and cooked breakfasts await you each morning and for those who would like a mid-day meal, we have lunch snacks and a mini-pizza oven to satisfy your appetite. Provision can be made for Vegetarians.

The Staff
As the resort has grown, so have its staff – a group of people who have become like a family and most of whom have been with the resort for years. This TEAM will look after you. Come and join us. There's a cold beer in the fridge waiting for you....

Important Information:
The water is drinkable Borehole water.
The town power is often down, so, bring a Torch.
All vehicles are parked in a secure parking area.
There is a 24-hour medical clinic now available in Bilene.
There is a small safe at the reception, however, guests are to ensure, their valuables are kept safe at all times, as Management cannot be held responsible for any loss, theft, or damage of any property.
We recommend that you purchase travel insurance

Mozambique is a high risk Malaria country. Please visit your doctor or take all the necessary precautions before going to Mozambique.

PRAIA DO SOL ACTIVITIES

Praia do Sol is a family holiday resort and is the one of the more popular resorts in Mozambique for family holidays. Our holiday resort offers safe swimming along the shallow shores of the Uembje Lagoon and perfect conditions for any water sport.

Praia do Sol is laid back and relaxing with us is what it's all about - although there’s no shortage of things for you, your family and your friends to do. This beautiful part of Mozambique is ideal for a range of activities that can easily be organized, like dune riding on quad bikes which takes you away for a day and brings you back thrilled and exhausted or try a two hour canoe trip taking you through two smaller lakes, along the river and back into the San Martino Lake until you find your way back to Praia do Sol.

Praia do Sol offers the following activities from its holiday resort:
* Boat Transfers to the Ocean Beach
* Canoe Hire and Canoe Trips
* Snorkeling
* Fishing Rod Hire
* Day Long Boat Trips
* Cruises

spa
We have opened the New Mini Spa, so while you are amongst the peaceful surrounding of the Resort we can bring you into a unique atmosphere of Relaxation. Treatments on offer, include, Aromatherapy, Hot rock Massages Reflexology, and Body Scrubs and a Sauna.

Bird Watching
For those of you who love watching birds, Praia do Sol is your ideal bird watching destination! Mozambique has an astounding variety of birds and with over 100 birds to see at Praia do Sol, you will need several sets of “bush eyes”!

Although bird watching is rewarding no matter the time of day, early morning walks along the lagoon are sure to be a success for any bird watcher. A rarity at that hour is the Palm Nut Vulture, which if you’re lucky, you might see gliding over the lagoon. Another must is an early morning canoe trip where you can float up to Green-Backed Heron and obtain great views of Malachite and Pied Kingfishers.

Whether you are a bird watching enthusiast or just a casual bird watcher, the birds of Mozambique are sure to delight you. However, for those of you who think bird watching is for the birds, there are many other activities that will keep you entertained!

Canoe Rentals
Canoeing is a superb activity for the whole family! Take a leisurely paddle around the lagoon, or get dropped off up river by our staff and canoe back to Praia do Sol in time for breakfast.

Whilst on the water you will be able to marvel at the phenomenal bird life. And on a clear day, you will be able to see fish swimming below you.

Cruises
Why not take a relaxing cruise on Uembje lagoon? Pack a few drinks, your costume and sunscreen and enjoy the fine weather Bilene has to offer.

Or one better, take a leisurely trip across to the lagoon mouth where you can enjoy a days outing on the beach followed by a sunset ride back on the barge to Praia do Sol.

We do have a barge that we use for a number of different activities:

• Direct transfer to the Ocean/Beach. Departure at 9h00, 12h00 & 15h00. You can arrange other times if necessary. Duration 3 hours.

• Boat trip along the lagoon past the Town, stopping off at the local market. After the Market, off across the lagoon to a resort on the other side, for a dip in the pool and a drink/ Lunch. Duration - 3 to 4 hours

• Combination of trip 1 & 2 - Duration, 6 hours.

• Packed lunch for the beach

• Sunset boat trip, with snacks - Duration, about 2 hours.

• Canoe hire - Canoe trip - 3 Lakes tour Duration, 2 to 3 hours.

• Cultural Guided tours of the local village - Duration, 2 to 3 hours.

• Great 4x4 self drive/ ride routes.

All activities are at an extra cost. All activities are weather permitting, and subject to numbers of persons participating.

For the not so adventurous, holidays mean simply lounging next to the swimming pool, or taking leisurely walks along the beach and marveling at the beauty of Mozambique. Whatever you expect from your holiday, Praia do Sol is sure to appeal to your whole family.

ABOUT BILENE
Previously know as Sao Martino, Bilene is a peaceful village 180km north of Maputo. Situated on the Uembje Lagoon which is a huge stretch of water, about 8km wide and 27km long and reaching depths of 50 metres. The shores are shallow and are ringed by beautiful white sandy beaches with rolling sand dunes and tropical lush vegetation.

The town of Bilene has a small but colourful local market. Fresh produce and a variety of foodstuffs can be purchased from the locals. Brightly coloured capulanas (sarongs) and locally made clothes swing from the stores. The curio sellers hawk their wooden wares and the ever present cashew nut sellers are in abundance. At the back of the market, you can find the locally caught fish from the lagoon – normally small garoupa, as well as crabs and prawns.

There is a variety of different accommodation in Bilene, ranging from campsites, self-catering and hotels. Most of the establishments are situated on the shores of the Lagoon and are spread out so you have the feeling of space and endless beaches. There are local pubs, and over weekends discos for the young and young at heart!

The Lagoon lends itself to water sports, so bring the boat and jet-ski’s. Swimming is safe due to the shallowness of the lagoon and the water is always warm. Barges can be taken across the Lagoon to the mouth, where there is safe snorkeling and depending on the season you can see whales and turtles in the Ocean.

There are some great Quad Bike trails, one can go as far as the Limpopo River Mouth to Zongoene Resort, a 35km ride away through villages and inland lakes.

Bilene is an idyllic spot to get away from the stresses of the city. A perfect place to relax and unwind, with no 4x4 necessary to get there, it makes it easily accessible and is only 3 hours from Komatipoort, and when you get to Bilene, there is always a Cold Beer and a Warm Welcome waiting for you at Praia do Sol.

‘Warm People, Cold Beer’ is our logo and you will find us just out of town on the south shores of the Lagoon.

Cashew Nuts - Mozambique
So we have miles and miles of un-spoilt beaches, beautiful scenery, seafood that is to-die-for, and friendly faces. What else is there about Mozambique?

Cashew Nuts used to be the single biggest export from Mozambique! Cashew nuts provide essential fatty acids, B vitamins, fibre, protein, carbohydrate, potassium, iron and zinc. So keep healthy on holiday at Praia do Sol with a cold 2M (beer) and grab a handful of cashew nuts!

Communication
No worries when it comes to checking up on matters at home. All major networks are supported throughout Mozambique.
Vodacom Mozambique and Mcel (the local Network) have excellent cell coverage. Just arrange with your service provider at home to enable international roaming before you leave.

Round and About
Getting about in Mozambique is no problem. The road network up to the resort is very good. There are two roads from Bilene to Praia do Sol. One for 4x4s and another for 2 wheel drive vehicles.

A petrol station in Bilene offers both leaded and unleaded fuel, as well as diesel, so there is no worry of you getting stuck in our beautiful town. . . Oh dear!

GETTING THERE
From JHB take the N4 (Witbank Highway) to Komatipoort. SA Toll roads cost ±R140.00. Moz Toll roads cost ±R48.00

The Resort is only 270km from the Komatipoort Border post.

After you have proceeded through the border, you will be travelling on a toll road. 45Km’s down the road you will come to the first toll gate. After another 35Kms you come to a set of traffic lights and the Shoprite complex in Matola.
Turn, LEFT
After about 10Kms you will come to another tollgate.
After travelling about 3Kms, you will see a sign to Xai-Xai, just before you cross over a large bridge.
Turn LEFT.
You will be going through a lot of small towns, travel at the speed limits, wear your seat belts, front and back.
Do not cross solid white lines. Spot fines are R350.00
Between towns it is safe to travel at 100Kms/h or more. I have not seen speed traps between towns, Yet!!
After about 50km you will get to the first and only Ultra City.
Clean toilets, good food and cold beer, but not as cold, as the Beer’s at Praia Do Sol. Here you will receive some good local information, as well.
Call ahead for food, this will save some time.
From Ultra City you will travel 95kms to Macia
At Macia, just after the BP Garage, Turn RIGHT, there will be a sign to "Praia do Bilene".
Travel 30Kms until you reach the town of Bilene, and a traffic circle.
Leave the traffic circle, so that the Hotel is on your Left.
Proceed to the, "T" junction, Turn RIGHT.
Travel until the tar road ends. You will see a sign to PDSol, turn, Right. DO NOT go straight!!!!
Follow the Sand road for about 2kms.
You will pass through some houses, until there is a large green house on the left. Keep going!
PRAIA DO SOL will be to your left.
If you are towing a Boat or trailer, please leave it at the top parking lot, as there is no place to turn around at the bottom.
Proceed down to the reception, located on your Left, and check in.

If calling from a South African cell phone, use the Code +258

IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE ON THE BEACHES OF MOZAMBIQUE! Spot fine, will be R1500.00

Alternate! Shorter, more scenic route for 4x4’s and Bakkies
This route is 50km’s shorter and you miss out Maputo and all those Police!
Just after the toll gate, Turn Right to Moamba; Follow the tar road, Right through the town.
The Tar Road ends after about 21km’s.
Now you have 95km’s of Good Sand Road, a bit Dusty in the Dry, best not to brown noise your buddy!
In the Rainy Season it can get Muddy! This will be the only time you might use your 4x4.
After the sand roads ends, proceed straight over the railway line to Xinavane, pass through the town and onto the Main EN1.
This section of Tar Road is about 25km’s.
At the T Junction, Turn Left, to Macia.
From Macia follow directions as above.

Email Praia Do Sol Lodge reservations: book@go.mozbookings.com