The country of Mozambique lies along the shore of the Indian Ocean in Africa. With warm waters and pristine beaches, it is as beautiful as it is wild. Barra Lodge is located in Inhambane, Mozambique, 485 km north of Maputo and accessed only by a tarred road with a standard vehicle. There are many small towns and villages between Maputo and Barra lodge, interesting places to stop and visit. Guests to the area are advised against making the six to eight hour drive from Maputo at night as sections of the road are very badly surfaced. Visitors can also fly into Inhambane where Barra Lodge staff will meet them and transfer them to the lodge itself.
The lodge itself is a half hour drive from historic Inhambane, and it is surrounded by the Inhambane estuary on one side of the property and the Indian Ocean on the other side. Groves of coconut trees provide ample shade along the unspoilt and secluded beaches that are perfect for sunbathing and swimming all year round. The beaches are wide open, and the long stretches provide guests hours of strolling time looking for shells or just enjoying the feeling of the sand between your toes. Barra Lodge is a family friendly establishment and children are invited to come and stay with their parents.
Barra Lodge offers guests an activity room with a DSTV, pool table, darts, and table tennis for those days the weather is inclement. There are two swimming pools – a regular pool and a children’s paddling pool – as well as a Jacuzzi for those who do not wish to swim in the ocean. A curio shop is also located at the lodge and they offer guests basic toiletries, clothing, curios, souvenirs, and sweets. Barra has conference facilities designed to seat up to 60 guests in a cinema style with audio visual equipment provided, and the staff will gladly cater special functions such as weddings and parties.
Unlike most of Mozambique’s neighbour, South Africa, the country still is having problems with malaria. There are some strains that are resistant to Chloroquin, and visitors to the country are advised to meet with their physician before traveling to Mozambique for an alternative medication to prevent contracting malaria. Guests who wish to dive should avoid taking Larium and Mephloquin, as there have been topical issues with these two medications when diving. All guests should bring insect repellant with them as a preventative measure.
Barra Lodge offers its guest three different styles of lodges for their luxury stay. They come in Casitas, family Casitas, and self-catering accommodations. The sixteen casitas are designed in the traditional Mozambique style with thatch, brick and reed construction. Each casita has two beds with an en-suite toilet and shower. The four family sized casitas have two extra beds for children under the age of twelve. The casitas come with fans in the room, private verandahs, and mosquito netting.
The twenty self-catering cottages have two bedrooms with six single beds, a lounge, dining rooms, kitchen, shower with hot and cold water and separate toilet. There are fans in the rooms, mosquito netting and it includes a private veranda. Each of the cottages also come with a refrigerator, two plate gas stoves, crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, utensils, and bed linen. All of the cottages are serviced daily. There are also coffee and tea facilities available in the rooms.
The final lodging option at Barra Lodge is the Bunk House. Perfect for backpackers and students, the bunk house has four rooms each with 2 double bunk beds. It has a sitting room and kitchen area that includes a gas stove, fridge and basic utensils and pots for cooking. A communal bathroom, fans in the rooms, and a private veranda is available. Tea and coffee making facilities are included in the bunk house, as well as mosquito netting.
All of the accommodations are within walking distance and view of the beach.
The Barra Lodge has a restaurant available for all of its guests where fresh seafood and other fare are served on a daily basis. Prawns, calamari, and fresh fish are popular favourites. For guests who are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere and menu, the Beach Bar is an alternative to the restaurant and offers a social meeting place. Guests can enjoy beach volleyball, pub games, and more while sitting and enjoying pizza, pub lunches, and cocktails.
Barra Lodge is central to many exciting and fun activities in Mozambique. While some of the activities are seasonal, there is plenty to do. Guests should check with the lodge personnel to see what activities are and are not available during the time of year in which they visit.
Water sports of all types are very popular at Barra Lodge and there are plenty of different types available all year round. Barra has a fully equipped PADI diving centre that includes kitting-up rooms, rest areas, kit storage, filling station, first-aid areas and lectures all for the guests’ use. Other water sports include hobie-cat sailing, laser dingy sailing, snake rides, paddle skis, surfing and boogie boarding.
Boat rides of the bay are also enjoyable and give guests a more relaxed view of the area. Barra Lodge has its own 33 foot live-aboard catamaran that is available for day trips around the estuary and to Pansy Island. Guests can dive and snorkel from the boat. Anglers will enjoy going out with the lodge’s resident fishermen and they can try for sailfish and pelagic or enter into a one of the many fishing competitions that are offered in the area. Ski boats with tackle and gear are available and the lodge encourages fishers to catch and release the fish. Dhow trips – a traditional boat that is still made in the old fashioned way – are also available for a quiet trip through the bay.
The mangrove behind the lodge is a saltwater area of crystal waters that can be explored on foot or in a boat. The mangrove is home to flocks of flamingoes and plants and makes a great place for watching and photographing the sunsets. Guests can also enjoy horseback riding on the beach with a guide from the lodge, and quad biking through the villages and coconut plantations with a guide as well.
For guests who enjoy cultural pursuits, Inhambane City offers a touring locale rich with history and tradition. This is the city Vasco Da Gama landed at in 1534 and is the most southerly trading port used by Arabs and other sailors in the Indian Ocean. Thick with Portuguese influences mixed with native African culture, Inhambane is filled with cathedrals, markets, and more for guests to enjoy while staying at Barra Lodge.
Location: Barra Lodge is located in Inhambane, Mozambique, 485 km north of Maputo.
General Facilities:• Swimming pool
• Kids wading pool
• DSTV
• Pool table
• Darts
• Table tennis
• Outdoor sports items
• Jacuzzi
• Curio shop
Room Facilities:• En-suite bathrooms
• Ceiling fans
• Private verandahs
• Mosquito netting
• Lounge
• Kitchen
• Self-catering items
• Coffee and tea facilities
Activities• Barra Lodge offers guests water sport activities like scuba diving, fishing, boat trips, and more as well as horseback riding, cultural tours, and quad biking.
Services:• Conference facilities with audio visual equipment
• Catering for weddings and other social gatherings
