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IBO Island Lodge

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!                                           
 Effective 24 March 2007

Airlink operates a DIRECT SCHEDULE SERVICE for flights from JNB to Pemba (Northern Mozambique).
Airlink will operate these direct flights from JNB to Pemba, Mozambique, every Tuesday & Saturday from 24 Mar 2007.

Johannesburg to Pemba
Tuesdays ... Dept.Jhb 0950, arrive Pemba 1240
Saturdays..Dept. Jhb 1000, arrive Pemba 1250

From Pemba to Johannesburg
Tuesdays ... Dept Pemba 1330, arrive Jhb 1630
Saturdays.. Dept Pemba 1330, arrive Jhb 1630

IBO ISLAND LODGE
Virtually unknown to the outside world and undisturbed for centuries there is a place where time has stood still. This is Ibo Island, or as the locals call it: Ilha do Ibo.

Nestled in the awesome Quirimbas Archipelago of northern Mozambique, and nominated for World Heritage status, Ibo is an island that is remote and untouched by commercial developments and one of the most fascinating, idyllic islands you could dream of visiting.

LOCATION
Ibo Island Lodge is situated on the Indian Ocean paradise of Ibo Island just 71 nm from mainland Pemba City, northern Mozambique.
Ibo airstrip details: S 12 20.8’ / E 040 36. 14’
Length: 950m, width: 60m, radial: 014
Surface: grass, elevation: sea level, radio freq: 124.1
Runway: 18/36
  
HISTORY
For the last 500 years Ibo Island was a prosperous and important trading post along the coast of East Africa. Grand colonial administration buildings lined its streets, and three majestic forts stood guard over the sea. This little coral and palm-fringed island has a turbulent history of slave trading, pirates, and intrigue. The ruins date back to the early 1500s and Africans share their history with Arabs, Indians and Portuguese.

Nick Maes writing for the Guardian wrote ‘It is quite unlike anywhere I've ever visited. If you took Gabriel García Márquez's village of Macondo from A Hundred Years Of Solitude and transported it from the Catholic legend of South America to Africa's eastern flank, then you would go some way to understanding Ibo's overwhelming magic’.

TRANSFERS TO IBO ISLAND
Guests fly to Pemba International airport (Cabo Delgado)
•with SA Airlink *direct from Jhb
•or with LAM Airlines via Maputo, Beira or Nampula
Where they are met by a representative and then transferred by light aircraft to Ibo Island.
The breathtakingly scenic flight affords guests a chance to take a scenic flight over some of the Quirimbas Archipelago and is a highlight.

Luggage restrictions: 15 kg of soft luggage including hand luggage.

Please note: Flights are quoted per person per sector. Babies under the age of 2 travel free of charge as they do not take a seat. Children above the age of 2 are on the full rate.

All transfer flights to Ibo are quoted on a ‘seat in the plane’ rate which means clients fit into the flying schedule of the day (around the daily schedule and their connections), as opposed to a private charter whereby guests can request specific flight times. Please enquire re the rate for guests who require private aircraft and helicopter charters should this be required.

Boat transfers are also available to link Ibo with neighbouring properties and resorts. Clients with their own planes can fly to Ibo but will have to pay US$5 landing fee. Any planes parking on Ibo pay an additional US$ 5 per day. (Amounts subject to change).

A helicopter charter from Pemba to Ibo costs $1115 (Pemba – Ibo – Pemba; 35min each way) and can take a maximum of 4 pax. The maximum luggage allowance is 15kg’s per person and guests must strictly pack into soft luggage only.

*Any increases concerning transfers will be passed on to the guest as they are beyond Ibo Island Lodges control.
  
VISA REQUIRMENTS
International travelers require a visa for Mozambique which is purchased on arrival in Pemba and paid for in US$ cash - currently US$25 and could be subject to change. An additional US$2.50 stamp duty applies for entrance and exit, so we advise clients should be in possession of a total of US$30 cash.

South African passport holders do not require a visa to enter Mozambique.

For entrance back into South Africa, two empty pages are needed in passports (front and back pages both blank).

LODGE AND ACCOMMODATION
Ibo Island lodge is located on the prime waterfront site, where romantic dhows sail out to sea on each high tide. The lodge encompasses magnificent mansions each over one hundred years old with walls over a meter thick and lofty high ceilings. Some rooms are sea facing, and some are garden facing. Ibo is a potential World Heritage Site and therefore the rooms have been designed to incorporate the original architecture of the buildings. All are individually designed and unique.

The wide verandas are furnished with hand crafted furniture and soft cushions. All rooms are air-conditioned and also have ceiling fans. The lodge has two swimming pools set in tropical gardens, an air-conditioned lounge and private dinning room as well as a roof terrace restaurant with an open-air lounge area for after dinner drinks under the stars.

BATHROOMS
All rooms have en-suite facilities with twin basins and large showers. Some also have baths and outside showers.

ROOM FACILITIES
•Air conditioning and ceiling fan
•Large windows for sea breeze Room
•King size extra length hand crafted bed with mosquito net (twin beds are also available) room
•Indigenous teak and mahogany handcrafted furniture
•Solid mahogany wardrobe with hangers
•‘Chest’ safe with lock
•Brass and antique fittings
•Linen gown for use whilst on the island
•A range of Ibo guest amenities
•Hair dryer
•Water flasks in the rooms
•Morning tea and coffee

WINING AND DINING
The restaurant and bar is magnificently situated on the root terrace of the Bela Vista mansion facing west for unforgettable sunsets and affording spectacular views over the bay.

Meals feature freshly Ibo-grown vegetables, herbs and fruits and combine traditional specialties with seafood: With prior written notice the lodge will do it’s very best to cater for simple dietary requirements but please understand that Ibo Island is a very remote destination and complicated requests are not possible.
  
CHILDREN POLICY
Children under the age of 12 are accommodated by prior arrangement only. There are some rooms that are suitable for children to be accommodated on a sharing basis, but this is based on availability. Please enquire.

CREDIT CARD FACILITIES
NO credit card facilities are available at Ibo Island Lodge. US$ OR local currency ONLY for all extras. Please make sure ALL clients are advised of this fact.

ELECTRICITY
Power at the lodge is supplied by our own generator. It is operational for approx 18 hours each day although hours do change according to weather and lodge requirements. Generator times as well as a full lodge briefing are given during guest check in by management.

FULLY GUIDED ACTIVITIES
Beach / Swim / Snorkel:
One of the most beautiful and pristine beach in the Quirimbas Archipelago is closely accessed from the island, and one of Ibo’s best kept secrets… A 15 minute motorised boat trip takes you to the most perfect beach surrounded by sea and totally luxurious in seclusion. Here you are free to enjoy the dazzling aquamarine clear waters perfect for snorkeling, swimming and relaxing. A daily transfer to the beach is included for all guests.

The Ibo Island historical Experience:
A guided, often emotional journey recounting the history of Ibo. Guided historical and cultural activities enable guests to immerse themselves in the unchanged, ancient culture of Ibo.
Unique guided mangrove excursion:
Fully guided, guests will be taken into Ibo’s lush, fertile mangrove channels to understand more about this precious ecosystem and the outstanding bird and marine life it supports.

Sea kayaking in calm flat waters:
A chance to navigate winding channels with breathtaking scenery or island hop safely under the expert leadership of your guide. With an abundance of birdlife Ibo is also an ornithological paradise.

Humpback whales protect their calves in the calm waters surrounding Ibo.
Excellent sightings are possible from August to early November before they migrate.

Ibo Massage and healing treatments:
Ibo inspires complete tranquility and no stay at Ibo Island could be quite complete without experiencing the Ibo massage.

Relax and de-stress:
Ibo offers complete tranquility and you can be as active or relaxed as you wish: at one of the pools set in our tropical gardens, on the roof terrace, on your private veranda, or stroll the island, interact and take in the idyllic scenes of Ibo.

Traditional sailing dhow safaris and cruises:
Take a cruise on a magnificent traditional teak sailing dhow.
Cultural and community interactive experiences:
Several community projects are operated by Ibo Island Lodge. Our central aims being to achieve long term, sustainable means of generating income and benefits to the communities, and to implement and manage programs that provide training, mentorship and education. These projects work in conjunction with various organizations to ensure that sensitive ecosystems and biodiversity of the region with emphasis on coastal, tidal, coral, mangrove and marine resources are protected.

Tourism training and english literacy project:
To provide an ongoing program dedicated to tourism and environmental education, English literacy and training for the communities at large with real employment opportunities at the lodge. Guests are more than welcome to visit our school.

The market garden agriculture project:
Ancient Arab coffee plantations still exist on Ibo Island and our hand grinded and open fire roasted coffee is world-class. The agricultural project will focus on this product as well as a market garden producing fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits for the island and lodge.

The silversmiths’ jewelers program:
Traditional silversmiths hand craft exquisite intricate jewellery using ancient Arab techniques and tools. This jewellery is found no-where else in the world and guests can observe the art and commission pieces from the lodges’ resident silversmiths project. Guests as well as day visitors to Ibo can learn more about these projects from the lodge.

The marine turtles research and conservation:
In conjunction with Conservation International this projects aims to support international research efforts into turtle biology and ecology and to protect marine turtles, and turtle eggs, from illegal and inadvertent harvesting on Ibo.

Scuba diving and fishing: available mid 2007:
The marine area of the Quirimbas National park includes 11 islands and is one of the richest, most biologically diverse marine environments on earth. An underwater playground with illuminating and phenomenal drops offs, walls and coral covered caves. You can expect to see all coral reef species typical of the Indian Ocean region. Game fish are the feature, with sightings of yellow fin tuna, dogtooth tuna, marlin, manta rays, eight species of shark (to date), huge schools of feeding barracuda, king fish of many species, red snappers, green and hawksbill turtles, not to mention the hump backed whales in season.
Fishing: the waters surrounding Ibo boast legendary fishing with dogtooth tuna, numerous species of kingfish, marlin, sailfish, mackerel and the famous bonefish all featuring. The renowned fishing at St. Lazarus banks ranks highly alongside myth and legend and is amongst some of the best in world. In support of the National Parks policy, we adhere to the “catch-and-release” system.
  
OWNERS
Ibo Island Lodge and safaris is owned and operated by Kevin and Fiona Record who have been actively involved in safaris and tourism throughout southern and east Africa including northern Mozambique and Ibo Island for the last ten years.

With this experience the company is able to offer a destination for guests seeking an unequalled tropical island and cultural experience in one of the last undiscovered places in Africa.

As the first tourism investor on Ibo the company believes that it is critical that local communities benefit from tourism development.

Ibo Island has a community of approximately 3000 people.

The lodge directly employs approx 40 permanent staff. Each of these staff members can support up to a further 20 people made up of extended family.

Therefore Ibo Island Lodge directly affects approx 800 people’s lives on Ibo. In addition, as many third party services, are sourced from Ibo Island itself, this directly affects approx another 20 to 30 individuals. With this in mind Ibo Island Lodge positively affects as much as 50% of the islands population.

WEATHER & CLIMATE
Although there are regional differences in climate throughout Mozambique, the highest temperatures are during the rainy season - November to April.

April to November form Mozambique's Dry Season when temperatures are more comfortable.