Flamingo Bay Water lodge + You Should Know: Mozambique
When most people think about over-water bungalows, they automatically think of locales like Tahiti, Bora Bora and the Maldives. But did you know that some coastal cities in Africa have some wonderful over-water bungalow hotels as well?
The Flamingo Bay Water Lodge, in Mozambique, is one of such. The hotel is located in the coastal bay of Inhambane, Mozambique along the coast of the Indian Ocean. According to the hotel,
Flamingo Bay Water Lodge derives its name from the flocks of flamingos inhabiting the area from time to time. This is an eco-paradise, a peaceful refuge to flamingos, and is also home to different types of tropical fish. The rare dugong can be spotted in the area, while crabs and other little estuarine creatures come and go as they follow the tide.
These over-water bungalows, or water chalets, line the hotel’s waters and are connected by wooden walkways where golf carts are available to guests. According to the hotel, the water chalets are spacious and well appointed with balcony, wide opening sliding doors and air-conditioning. The chalets and furniture are constructed from beautiful local hardwoods from Mozambique. Each chalet is situated on stilts in the crystal clear tidal waters of Inhambane Bay. Sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling and boating may be enjoyed directly from each chalet.
About Inhambane, Mozambique
Inhambane, full name Inhambane, Terra de Boa Gente (which means Land of Good People) is a city located in southern Mozambique, on Inhambane Bay, about 290 miles northeast of the capital city of Maputo. Inhambane is considered by many to be one of the prettiest towns in Mozambique. Situated on a peninsula overlooking a bay, it also serves as a springboard to the coastal resorts around Tofo beach.
To get to Inhambane, one would have to go through the capital, Maputo. Thus, a trip idea could be visiting Maputo first, then heading over to Inhambane for the rest of your holiday.
Some random facts about Mozambique
– Mozambique is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the East,Tanzania to the North, South Africa to the Southwest and Zimbabwe to the West. Mozambique also has neighbors in the countries of Malawi and Zambia that border the country in its Northwestern region
– Since Mozambique was first discovered by the Portuguese at the end of the 15th century, Portuguese is the official language in the country of Mozambique. However, Swahili, Sena and Makhuwa are spoken commonly as well. English is taught in secondary schools and spoken by many professionals and political leaders. If you would be visiting, it might be of help to learn a few Portuguese words or carry a phrasebook
– Mozambique gained independence from the Portuguese in the year 1975
– At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world’s poorest countries. However, In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country’s growth rate (source: CIA World Factbook on Mozambique)
– Mozambique has some amazing beaches and some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world
– Mozambique Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– Mozambique enjoys a tropical savanna climate with temperatures ranging from an average of 67°F in July (the coolest month) to 79°F in January (the warmest month)
– The people of Mozambique are known as Mozambicans
– Most Mozambicans are of Bantu origin
– As of the 1997 census, approximately 50% of the people are Christian, 10% Muslim, 5% animists (people who believe that everything in nature has a soul), with the rest of the population combining traditional faiths with another religion. Most people who live in the cities are Christian or Muslim.
Want to Go?
How to get in
Maputo International Airport (IATA code MPM) is the main international airport of Mozambique. To get to Inhambane where the Flamingo Bay Water Lodge is located, you will have to fly through Maputo International Airport.
A roundtrip ticket from New York (JFK) to Maputo would run you well over $2000. If you choose to combine this trip with an European itinerary, there are direct flights from Lisbon to Portugal on TAP Portugal Airlines for around $1250. Once you get to Maputo, you’d then have to fly to Inhambane Airport (IATA code INH) which costs $330 roundtrip.
Entry Requirements
For U.S. citizens, a visa is required for entry into Mozambique. It is recommended that travelers acquire the appropriate visa prior to departing for Mozambique, although a one-entry visa can be purchased for $82 at country points of entry, including airports. Foreigners in Mozambique without a valid visa can expect to pay a substantial fine ($33) for each day they are in Mozambique illegally.
Accommodations
The Flamingo Bay Lodge is one of the handful of accommodation options in Inhambane. If you decide to book your stay at the Famingo Bay Lodge, you can complete this by filling out the contact/booking form on their website.
To learn about the experiences of prior visitors to this resort, click here for the tripadvisor review page, which shows visitors rating the lodge 4.5 stars out of 5.
This is another location I look forward to visiting. In general, I look forward to exploring East Africa more intimately at some point in the near future. There’s a lot to learn and experience in Africa, and I look forward to supporting lesser known locales, especially as these economies work on emerging from the effects of improper management of resources to becoming viable players on the global stage.
Happy Travels! 
Have you ever been to Mozambique? Have plans to visit any time in the future?
Disclaimer: Since I have not yet visited Mozambique at the time of this posting, this post was written through my research and textbook knowledge only and not from in person experiences. This post is for informational purposes only. Please note, experiences may vary.