Name: Ibo Island Lodge
Address: Rua Bela Vista, Matemo Island, Matemo Island, Matemo Island, 3212, Mozambique
Rating: 9.2

Air conditioning

Garden

Terrace

Private check-in/check-out

General

Room service

Shower/Bathtub

Bathtub

Shower

Wardrobe/Closet

Linens

Mosquito net

Rooms

Accessibility features

Accessibility

Ironing

Laundry

Safe-deposit box

Wake-up service

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Restaurant

Meals

Internet access

Internet

Airport transportation (complimentary)

Transfer

English

Portuguese

Languages Spoken

Free bicycle rental

Library

Fishing

Recreation

No parking

Parking

Swimming pool

Outdoor pool

Beach/pool towels

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Diving

Snorkelling

Sports

Massage

Beauty and wellness

Babysitting and childcare

Kids

Pets allowed

Pets

Location

At the cottage

Room amenities

Ibo Island Lodge

Matemo Island

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

park access

We had a wonderful get away from the city to remote, relaxing Ibo Island Lodge. Kissinger helped us organize a trip to the sand bank, we tried to find dolphins too. But then we also spent time in the garden,by the pool, enjoying sunset aperitif from the upstairs terrace taking in the nature and beauty. We did participate in the history and cultural tours which were informative. We would be very happy to return!

Magical Get Away

At Ibo Island Lodge you don't get the sanitised version of Africa that so many other, particularly very luxury, lodges offer. You hear the Muslim call to prayer, the big soccer game being watched, see the local people walk past or on their motorbikes, the fishermen out on their boats. And I loved this, witnessing island life. It is a beautiful and well managed lodge, with stunning decor that was obviously sourced over an extended period (and also made on site) and a fascinating history of how it came to be. The staff, in particular Kissinger, Gillie and Nito, can't be more friendly and helpful. Kissinger must have the biggest and best smile in Africa. All special or out of the ordinary requests were handled as if I asked for a G&T. Food was delicious - crayfish almost every day. The rooms are spacious and include everything you need. Beautiful garden, verandas and pool, with lots of areas to lounge. The sandbank excursion is a highlight, especially when you have the sandbank for yourself. Also good snorkelling close to the sandbank... the coral is in such a beautiful condition. 
Ibo Island feels like a place lost in time... but shaped by its history as one of the oldest settlements in Mozambique, once an important trading post for Arab traders and the Portugese, including slave trade, the site of conflicts between these nations and others, the slow demise when the capital moved to Pemba... this is seen in the architecture and old buildings, the forts, the ruins. And makes for one very unique destination. This is not your typical commercial Indian ocean island. It is as if you've been taken back in time, yet you're having an island holiday. 
The evidence of cyclone Kenneth is still visible in places - many homes are being fixed (or still need to be fixed) - but the lodge is fully operational and nature seems to heal itself. But the island's people need our tourism money to recover fully from this devastating disaster in early 2019.

A special place

We were absolutely blown away by our recent stay at Ibo Island Lodge!! It is a secluded island getaway that fully exceeded our expectations. The staff is incredible, so kind, helpful and spoke great English. Management was wonderful in helping accommodate our little one and we loved our staff. I cannot say enough good things about the room, food, decor and ambiance. We have traveled extensively in Africa and no other resort has compared.

Secret Island Paradise!

Ibo Island Lodge is wonderfull and perferct for a stay in IBO ... We satyed there for the 2018-2019 new years eve ... It is an all inclusive lodge excluding drinks ... the location is the best in IBO Andre and His Wife are excellent on receiving the guests and even organised this 2018-19 an excellent dinner on the beach for all the guests ...
Top for a romance stay ... we advice an historical tour on IBO, Silversmith visit and main Citadel also Dow sailing, Snadbank safari (Andre organize easy)  diving ( be aware of your stamped PADI dive logbook) Andre organised for us an game fishing trip with local fisherman ISMAEL wich provided rods & rapallas and boat, as the catamaran from the lodge had an gearbox failure.
On my opinion all was good only thing i would like miself was that there should be more fish and seafood plates as it is plenty available on IBO...
There are or i did not found any local seafood restaurants in IBO there is a Bar on the main street near the police building where you can have beer ( not culture is muslim) there are other lodges one just near IBO ISLAND LODGE - mwani house (spanish couple) you can go for a visit and 5 portas we advice...

Wonderfull stay

As a family of 4 arriving from the Northern Hemisphere it was always going to be a challenge as to whether it was worth all the traveling and the unanimous verdict is that it totally was. The island was described to us prior to our journey as Zanzibar 100 years ago and it was easy to see why with an incredible reminder of the islands historic past and Ibo Island Lodge was like a crown on top.

We were met at the airport by a 4x4 motor vehicle, the only other passenger to leave the aircraft on Ibo was picked up by a cart containing three stools and pulled by a motor bike.  It was only a short trip to town but nevertheless first impressions can be difficult to dislodge, it did raise a smile or two when the other passenger tried to enter our vehicle only to be recalled to the cart.

We had a royal welcome on arrival at the lodge from Andre and Felicity and were shown to our rooms. These were very comfortable and located to the rear of the garden. I did have a problem setting the air-con but this was quickly rectified by the staff. The lodge was located a couple of hundred metres from the pier which is the central embarkation/disembarkation point for the locals who trade fish and fruit there...a great place to get some fresh mango.

Early evening drinks were served upstairs on a balcony which gave shade/shelter and/or completely open depending on the weather. Our first evening we enjoyed drinks followed by a seafood meal, the foord and service was very good. Our waiter Gili was really helpful, as with all families with teenage kids they were hungry for wifi, Gili loaned us a local sim and then when dinner service was complete he walked me into town to get a top up card to use the internet, all well above and beyond the call of duty.

There were plenty of options for excursions though we opted for snorkling on the first day so everybody could recover from the traveling. In addition i also found a jogging trail which took me along a village path for about 2.5 kms arriving at a dry river bed and mud flats leading out to sea. Later in the day my wife and I were given a tour of the town by a few of the local kids who were polite, spoke excellent English and were not aggressive or pushy in any way.

On other days they took us to one of the forts, escorted us on jogging and walking excursions and even run a couple of small errands bringing items from the handicraft experts who prepared some bespoke carvings for us. 

The location of the Lodge to the town and the jetty made our three days there work seamlessly and literally fly by. Kissinger helped to arrange a dhow safari out to the islands which lasted all day and was an incredible experience, the team pitched a canopy for shelter and we were free to walk the golden sands, swim the turquoise sea or just sit and read. The 2 hour return journey was entirely using the sail and was an incredible experience, managed throughout by Ali who took care of all our needs.

Before we knew it the three days were over and we were heading back to the airstrip for the next stage of the journey, the timing was perfect, we arrived 10-15 mins before the aircraft arrived and it turned around in about 5-8 minutes.

All of the staff of Ibo Island Lodge were polite and professional, nothing was too much trouble and we have nothing but praise for their efforts. The Lodge was clean with comfortable rooms (one thing that could be improved was our that aircon was directly above the bed, though our daughters had their perfectly located elsewhere in the room), food was excellent and dining locations were switched for greater ambiance. 
All in all a great trip and a noteworthy lodge.

One expat I bumped into in the town told me...welcome to the safest place in Africa.

We have since been back in touch with the lodge to see if we can sponsor the schooling for a couple of the local kids, it will be a great way to give something back and Ibo Island Lodge are doing what they can to help administer this initiative.

3 nights at Ibo Island Lodge

A very special 7 night trip, included was a very memorable 4 night dhow safari. Ibo lodge is an oasis of hospitality  & care in an area which has undergone hardship. The staff are amazing & go the extra mile to make you feel at home. The dhow safari was a highlight, such an attentative crew & a well curated itinerary. Echo's of Lamu & Zanzibar experiences.... we loved it all. 

Amazing experience....

After travelling through Namibia,  Botswana, Malawi and three days on Ilha de Mozambique, we were very pleasantly surprised by the comfort and elegance of the lodge beginning with the decoration and facilities in the generously sized rooms surrounded by beautifully kept gardens. The lodge also has many quiet and interesting places to read and rest or watch the nest building activities of the social weavers. Had a very special day sailing by dhow to islands to snorkel. The team prepared a perfectly cooked breakfast followed by lunch. Another great adventure was the historic tour through the village. Dee, Kissinger and the rest of the team were all brilliant hosts. Meals were delicious. 
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understated elegance in a fascinating historic destination with opportunities for adventures

After 3 weeks of  traveling trough Namibia and Botswana we flew to Ibo Island for 6 days to relax. 
The lodge is perfect in all its inperfection: no design and symmetry. The lodge is decorated in colonial style and also the rooms are decorated this way. We booked a seafacing room and this was a very spacious, beautiful room with a large walk-in shower. The garden and pool has a very high WOW-factor and you see birds all over the place. The view and sunset from the roof terrace is stunning: as Kissinger said to us: this is our own flatscreen TV. 
The staff is incredibly friendly and we felt very quick at home. Everything is easy going and relaxed in this lodge. Whatever you ask, they try to do it for you. The food is more then excellent and was every evening one of the highlights. Dee & André, the managers of this juwel, are fantastic people and we had some nice chats with them.
For us it was also an honour to baptise the nameless lodgecat and give him the name Ibo...:) 
The people who are living on this Island are friendly and it was always a joy to have a walk trough town or to the little harbour. The children there stole our heart...
Dee, André, Kissinger, Simba, Ali, Nitu, miss Carolina and the rest of the staff: 
thank you for everything; we closed you all into our heart!

We want to go back!

If you are looking for a place with a soul to switch of, with no mass tourism and people with a soul and passion than that is the place to go. We were unlucky with the weather when we stayed for 10 days from Christmas till after new year as we planned a kayak island hopping but Kissinger went out of its way to make the stay the best replacing it with half-day trips, snorkelling, dolphin tour and the like when he weather permitted. Weather can change in a day there so they are flexible and adapt to it. The efforts put into the restoration of the place is amazing and i hope the island recovers from the bad internet media reports on security in northern Mozambique ( they are completely unfounded for the Quirimbas which is in no way touched by main land issues at the far northern border with Tanzania ) . I must say that the island is VERY saved and is untouched by problems reported in the Province of Capo Delgado main land at the time of travel. In fact, Ibo Island is safer than most places i have visited you can walk anywhere day and night, people know each other well and will immediately see if there is an intruder. Kids and people greet you friendly and don't beg or are intrusive ( unlike other places less poor i visited outside Mozambique and even Namibia where we live). SO have a peace of mind the place is SAFE and probably safer from where you come from :)  and NEEDS your support, the progress and hope on the island depend on you and the people give it back again. Kissinger the manager on-site with his admin colleague will keep you happy. Food is good and you can enjoy seafood and all the fish every day if your heart desires it . :)  marine life is amazing and its worth going there at different times of the year to expierence it all .

A place with a soul

We spent a week at Ibo Island lodge on a family holiday. The staff really makes the lodge and are extremely friendly and flexible. Travelling with small kids they are were flexible on meal times and menu

The food is great and a seafood lover’s treat. Probably the  most lobster I’ve ever had in one week. 

The bar is fairly basic and limited stock though. Wines on list mostly not in stock and during the day bar under lock and key and you need to call someone to open up, who will gladly do so with an ever friendly Ibo smile

The lodge offers an authentic local experience with lots of love in restoring the old buildings. As with such an renovation you can expect some struggling water supply to some taps and plumbing but overall great to stay in these old buildings with so much history. 

Wifi did not work when we were there but the manager made a plan to let everybody access data via his phone in the dining area. Plans made, island style. 

While there’s no beach at the lodge there’s a small patch of beach about ten minutes walk away frequented by the local kids and the lodge offers a nice excursion to a sand bank in the ocean about 45 minutes away by boat. 

Do check the FI terms. It is the not the same amongst all lodges in the area. 

We will be back



Ibo Island Lodge

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