Lodge is Closed!

A warm welcome to Bamboozi Beach Lodge Tofo Mozambique, Hidden in the heart of a coconut grove alongside a stretch of a virgin beach and surrounded by rural villages, this eco-friendly backpackers/beach lodge is built entirely from natural materials. Endless summer days can be spent in the warm Indian Ocean. Swimming, surfing, snorkeling and diving.

Email for Reservations: book@go.mozbookings.com

Hidden in the heart of a coconut grove alongside a stretch of a virgin beach and surrounded by rural villages, this eco-friendly backpackers/beach lodge is built entirely from natural materials. Endless summer days can be spent in the warm Indian Ocean. Swimming, surfing, snorkeling and diving.

When it is time to take a sun or sea break lay claim to a hammock and slip in some dream time Bamboozi style nights include wild parties, but those who prefer sitting on a balcony watching the moonrise while counting fireflies and shooting stars, can do just that.

We provide mozzie nets and linen. Camping amongst palms, a guest kitchen, bbq/braai areas and hot water showers. The funky bar on the dune serves scrumptious seafood, veggie delights and local dishes.

Our area is fast becoming famous for the resident Mantas, Whale sharks, Dolphins, Turtles and Humpback whales.

Accommodation at Bamboozi Beach Lodge, Tofo

Dorms
You can find the dorms of Bamboozi in between the coconut trees. In the spacious dorms you'll find beds with mozzienets and electricity as well. We have a communal kitchen and bathrooms.

The dorms are basically furnished with a bed, mattress with fitted sheet and a mosquito net. No other linen, blan-kets, pillows or towels are provided:

• 2 x 10 sleeper dorms

• 6 sleeper dorm

• 5 sleeper dorm

Huts
In between the coconut trees you can find the huts of Bamboozi. Sleeping in a basic hut with only a mattress on the concrete floor and mozzienets is a real African experience. No other linen, blankets, pillows or towels are provided. Huts are available as 2 sleepers.

A Frame
Each unit consists of a small bedroom with a double bed and a single bed in the main living area. mozzie nets. Linen and towels are provided.

Sea View Chalets:
Sitting on the veranda of one of the 5 chalets you can enjoy the view on the coconut trees. The chalets are situated on the dunes placed around the pool. The chalets provide bathrooms with hot water and a basic self-catering kitchen. Chalets contain double bed & mozzie net, linen and towels and have en-suite bathrooms. There is a bar fridge and tea and coffee making facilities

Additonal Information
Extra beds can be added to the chalets at an additional charge
Guests in the chalets are requested to bring own beach towels.
Guests making use of the communal kitchen are advised to bring own pots, pans, kitchen utensils and cutlery. The communal kitchen has a fridge, gas cooker, plates and a few basic cooking utensils
Mozambique is a malaria area - please take anti-malaria medication

BARRA RESORTS ACTIVITIES
Scuba Diving
We have a fully equipped PADI dive centre with all the necessary facilities including kitting-up rooms, filling station, rest areas, kit storage, lecture and first-aid areas. Please check Barra Dive Resorts website for further information.

Ocean Safaris
Ocean Safaris are also offered for diver and non-divers wishing to experience all the creatures like Whalesharks and Dolphins on the surface. These experiences last approx. 2 hours and are a must.

Pansy Island Trip
Our luxury 33ft catamaran offers unforgettable day trips in our secluded estuary or out to Pansy Island. This large sand bank is a meca for marooned Pansy Shells. Enjoy the sights and snorkel off the catamaran.

Charter Boat Fishing
Our experienced resident fishermen are on hand to introduce you to our excellent fishing waters. A large number of game fish abound in these waters including sailfish and pelagic species. This makes this area a prime destination for fishing competitions. Our ski boats offer the latest equipment and tackle to give you the edge on catching the big one. We do encourage tag and release.

Dhow Trips
Take a trip on a dhow and feel a great sense of history as the dhows are still built as they were in ancient times. This is something that must be experienced before this age old tradition dies out.

Mangrove
Behind Barra Lodge is a saltwater mangrove with crystal clear waters which can be explored by boat or on foot. This ecosystem is made up of a fascinating chain of pioneering and sacrificial plants together with a huge array of crustaceans. Flocks of flamingo’s, local fish traps and stunning sunsets over the estuary make this a photographers dream.

Sightseeing
Inhambane City is steeped in history with the city being the southerly most trading port in Africa used by the Arabs. Vasco Da Gama landed in Inhambane in 1534 and the influence can clearly be seen in the architecture including the cathedrals and old colonial Portugese architecture. This mixture of European and African culture can be found in the local markets, making this a fascinating town to browse around. A number of restaurants in and around Inhambane offer a variety of dining experiences too.

Horse Riding
A guided horse ride on the beach sets the tone for any holiday. The romance of riding along the beach with the wind in your hair is an unforgettable experience. Beginners are welcome.

Quad Bikes
Quad biking through the coconut plantations opens new vistas and following the tracks and paths through these areas allows one to experience the real Mozambique while riding through local villages and into the heart of Mozambique.These are guided and managed by Barra staff. Quad bikes and vehicles are prohibited from the beaches as we wish to preserve the rich and unspoilt marine life.

About Mozambique
Mozambique stretches for 1,535 mi (2,470 km) along Africa's southeast coast. It is nearly twice the size of California. Tanzania is to the north; Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to the west; and South Africa and Swaziland to the south. The country is generally a low-lying plateau broken up by 25 sizable rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean. The largest is the Zambezi, which provides access to central Africa. In the interior, several chains of mountains form the backbone of the country.

Currency
The metical (plural: meticais) is the currency of Mozambique, abbreviated with the symbol MZN or MTn. It is nominally divided into 100 centavos. As it is impossible to exchange Meticais outside of Mozambique it is advisable to change a small amount of currency if arriving at a land border to cover taxi's and meals for the first night, currency exchanges generally close at 6PM and due to sporadic ATM failures, access to currency is by no means guaranteed out of hours.

When accepted by merchants foreign currency has an extremely poor exchange rate. As of January, 2011, the cost for EU and US passport holders at the recently opened and modern Maputo International Airport facility was US$82 for a single entry visa. Euros and US dollars are accepted, although be prepared to have currency that has been issued within the past five years.

They will not accept older currency due to the possibility of counterfeiting. A visa can be picked up at the Mozambique embassy in Pretoria, costing R750 for US citizens and issued the same day- often even within minutes. At Barra, we have an ATM where you can draw Mets at the exchange rate of that particular day and we can exchange money at reception.

History
The Mozambican 11 year war of independence, ended with the establishment of an independent, Marxist government. But a 17 year civil war started soon after independence, with an internal military uprising that some foreign governments supported.

The civil war affected Mozambicans severely, specifically in rural areas. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed and over a million people fled the country to neighbouring countries like Malawi. More than a million others were displaced within Mozambique.

Many rural people migrated to the cities, especially along the coast where the government maintained control. The country went into severe economic depression and agriculture was disrupted, so the country could not feed itself. By the late 1980s, Mozambique had one of the lowest per-capita caloric intakes in the world.

Even when relief food eventually flowed in after the El Niño-induced 1992 famine, Mozambique's war-ravaged transportation system prevented efficient distribution of the food, and internal politics interfered with relief work. Mozambique later became a base for neighbouring nationalist rebels. As a result, the Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (Mozambican National Resistance), or RENAMO, was born and launched guerrilla warfare against the FRELIMO party. After the devastating civil war between FRELIMO and RENAMO, during which over 1 million people were killed and 3 million displaced, a new constitution was adopted. With the signing of the Rome General Peace Accords, Mozambique was finally at peace in 1992. In 1994, Dave Law entered the country and set up the now known Barra Lodge.

DIRECTIONS TO BAMBOOZI LODGE
From Johannesburg, take the N4 towards Mbombela(Nelspruit) (about 400 km) ? From Mbombela (Nelspruit), continue following the N4 to Komatipoort, the last town on the South African side (about 100 km). Just past Komatipoort is the Komatipoort/Ressano Garcia border post.

NB: you can purchase the 3rd party insurance at the garrage just outside Komatipoort you need the following current car registration papers (or good facsimile thereof) are required to get a car past the border. On the Mozambican side, just follow the N4 (now called EN4) for a further 100 km or so to reach Maputo.

From Durban, on the KwaZulu Natal coast (South Africa), Maputo is 600 km away and best approached via the Golele border post into Swaziland. The shortest route from Golele into Mozambique is at the newly opened Goba border post.

Getting to TOFO: The EN1 Is the highway connecting Maputo to the rest of Mozambique. Inhambane is approx 470 kms North of Maputo on the EN1. The turn off to Inhambane is just after the town of Lindela and it is approx. 38km from there to Inhmabane.

Once in Inhambane, follow the signs to TOFO. This road is potholed so take it easy. With the village in sight you will see signboards to the left indicating BAMBOOZI BEACH LODGE. This is a dirt road that winds past a few lodges and beach bars and through a coconut grove straight into BAMBOOZI. It is not necessary to engage 4x4 although you may need to deflate your tyres slightly!

Self-Drive Checklist
Passports are required for all visitors to Mozambique.

South African passport do not need visas, click here to download further information. Other nationalities need to apply for visa's. It is advisable to obtain visa's before travelling to Mozambique as this can often prove difficult at the various points of entry including airports and border control posts. It is possible that last minute visa's may not be issued at all at these entry points.

No Firearms are allowed to be brought into Mozambique.

Things to take:
• Valid passport
•I dentity book with a valid drivers license - if self-drive
• Copy of Barra booking and confirmation voucher
• Original vehicle registration papers & SA vehicle clearance form from SA border
• Duplicate vehicle keys
• 2 Red triangles per vehicle if towing and a fitted red triangle to front of towing vehicle
• A yellow safety waistcoat
• Vehicle third party - purchased on the Mozambique side of the border (this you can also purchase at the Sasol garage outside Komatipoort)
• Drinking water
• Tyre pump and pressure gauge, tool kit and basic spares (fan belt etc),tow rope or strap
• Good flash light and batteries
• Camera
• Hat, sun glasses, sun screen, Malaria prophylaxis and insect repellent.
• Small first aid kit and personal medications

When driving in Mozambique wear seat belts and observe the speed limit in all towns. The minimum speeding fines can be high and spot fines are imposed.

GPS Coordinates
23° 51' 20 S
35° 32' 53 E

Email for Reservations: book@go.mozbookings.com