*Bare in mind, most people report fans sufficient enough to cool themselves even over hot summer nights
Leatherback Beach Villa is a luxurious “beach house”, named for the many leatherback turtles that call this stretch of coastline home. Designed with the ultimate beach vacation in mind, this villa is the epitome of barefoot luxury, offering guests all that is needed to truly unwind. From various indoor and outdoor seating areas to a private pool and fire pit, we ensure your stay will be a memorable one.
The heart of the property is the main house, where the communal dining room, open-plan kitchen, and outside areas are. The smallest of our villas, Leatherback only has four rooms, sleeping a total of 10 people, and each room is set apart from the main house, allowing for privacy.
Built as a private vacation home, it is ideal for families. It features an opulent master suite, smaller rooms close to the pool area ideal for kids or friends, and easy access to the beach.
The laid-back style with attention to detail provides our guests with both supreme luxury and comfort.
Leatherback can sleep a maximum of 10 guests in four bedrooms. Built in ‘plantation’ style, with double volume spaces, making it light and airy, the villa has wooden decks all around the property offering spectacular sea views from every space.
There are no air conditioning units in the rooms but each room has a large ceiling fan and all the beds have large mosquito nets covering the entire bed space. The constant, refreshing Indian Ocean breeze ensures that the rooms are always well-ventilated.
The open-plan kitchen and dining area, with seating for up to 12 people, allow guests to interact with the chefs and even pick up on a traditional recipe or two. Linked by the large deck, the lounge is set apart from the kitchen and dining area, allowing for intimate conversation or cozying up with a book. The large deck also boasts a pergola with a seating area to enjoy cocktails or watch whales swimming by.
The rooms are connected to the main area by wooden walkways and stairs.
The Master Suite is situated on a dune with views over the rest of the property and the beach. This large room with a king bed, has a coffee & tea station, and a small bar fridge stocked with milk and water. There is seating in the room, offering guests a place to cozy up with a book on bad weather days or to escape the sun.
Linking the bedroom to the en-suite is a small dressing area with ample cupboard space. The bathtub is the star of the show. With glass doors around the bath, it is ideal for relaxing in, with bubble bath and champagne, while soaking up the spectacular views. The bathroom has an indoor as well as an outdoor shower.
Rooms 2 and 3 are closer to the pool area. They are similar in size, with twin beds that can convert to king with an additional single bed, ideal for kids. They each have an en-suite with a shower, and the rooms are connected by a private deck.
Room 4 is the ideal romantic hideaway, as it is set apart from the rest of the property, connected by a wooden walkway. It has twin beds that can convert to king, an en-suite with indoor and outdoor showers, and a private deck and seating area, ideal for friends traveling with family or for guests that require more privacy. It also has its own coffee & tea station.
The pool is in the center of all the action and right next to the large fire pit. Guests can spend an entire day lounging in the sun followed by drinks and the ambiance of an open fire in the evenings.
Situated on the Machangulo Peninsula in southern Mozambique, it is ideally located for same-day transfers from the capital of Maputo. Leatherback Beach Villa is one of 15 private villas in the Machangulo Private Reserve, where complete privacy and intimacy is ensured.
The private reserve features one of the few remaining natural dune forests in the world and forms part of the greater Maputo Special Reserve.
The closest village is Santa Maria on the western side of the peninsula, around a 30-minute drive from the villa. In Santa Maria guests can experience local village life, but it has very limited shopping options so guests should ensure they pack all necessities.
Leatherback Beach Villa has a full staff complement, consisting of a chef, house manager, and cleaners. Our house manager can assist guests with any requests and questions they might have.
To book day excursions, including snorkeling, Inhaca Island trips, SCUBA diving, deep sea fishing, and many other activities, please speak to Antonio, who is our general manager in Machangulo.
Two massage therapists are available for basic massage treatments, which we can offer as an in-room service, on the pool deck, or in the main house.
Leatherback Beach Villa is part of the Fire Island Eco Retreats portfolio. Our sustainable travel ethos means that we always strive to offer guests ultimate luxury while leaving as little impact on the environ- ment as possible.
We avoid single-use plastic where possible and encourage guests to make use of our glass water bottles, to refill when needed. All tap water is drinkable - we use our own filtered, borehole water that is of the highest quality.
Our bathroom amenities are meticulously sourced, offering a luxurious product that is biodegradable, ensuring we do not compromise the delicate ecosystem, in which we live.
All the rooms, and the pool area, have beach towels for guests’ use. There is an honesty bar where guests can help themselves to our range of exclusive wines, imported spirits, local beers, and soft drinks.
All our rates are full board and include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as pre-dinner canapés or snacks. All local beers and soft drinks are complimentary, and wines and spirits are available from our honesty bar.
Once the booking is confirmed, we supply guests with a menu for the duration of their stay. Guests are welcome to make suggestions - we can cater according to preference and allergies.
Due to its accessibility and our chef’s desire to impress guests, seasonal seafood is a key feature on our menu.
The beach is easily accessible from Leatherback Beach Villa with a couple of wooden stairs leading from the deck down to the gently sloping sand dune that leads to the beach.
The heart of Machangulo, Santa Maria is the only village on the peninsula and is a hub of cultural activity. The best spot to visit is certainly Bemugi’s Bar & Restaurant. The sunset bar of Bemugi’s is an ideal place to enjoy the vista over the bay towards Maputo, and Bemugi’s has a great restaurant and bar, should guests wish to enjoy a social day out. Day trips to Santa Maria can be arranged with our concierge.
A short 10 minute boat ride away from Santa Maria is the picturesque Inhaca Island. Here, guests can explore the island, visit the town on the island’s northern side to experience local life, visit the historic light- house, or simply enjoy a leisurely day on the pristine beaches of southern Inhaca, where we can arrange picnics for guests. Inhaca is the ideal place for snorkeling, kayaking, SUP, or a selection of other water sports. It is also very safe for kids to play, as the quiet bay has no waves, and many guests have been fortunate to see the resident loggerhead turtles swimming by.
Our concierge can arrange a deep sea fishing day trip, however, the beaches in front of the villa offer an ideal spot for angling.
The pristine, unspoiled beaches are perfect for hiking. There is a long stretch of uninhabited coastline and guests can walk for miles without seeing another person. From Leatherback, it’s about an 6km walk along the beach to Santa Maria on the other side of the peninsula, for our more adventurous guests. Please always inform our house manager if you are planning on taking a walk or would like to be picked up somewhere, and ensure you take enough water and sunscreen. There is no cellphone reception along most of the coast, making it difficult to locate guests, should the need arise.
Leatherback Beach Villa is accessible by road, sea, or air. Our staff can collect guests at Maputo Airport and from there, either drive to the property through the spectacular Maputo Special Reserve (approx. 5-hour drive from Maputo) or hop on our private boat at the harbour to cross Maputo Bay. All our vehicles have the necessary permits and insurance.
Guests should note that there is a high chance of having to wade through the shallow waters at Santa Maria when they disembark. The boat ride is approximately 1-hour, and the car journey to Loggerhead Beach Villa will take another 20-minutes.
Alternatively, guests can charter a private plane or helicopter from Maputo Airport and fly direct to the Machangulo Private Airfield, a 25-minute drive from Leatherback Beach Villa.
Our travel team can arrange all flights and transfers. All our guests need to do is choose their preference and show up!
One of Leatherback’s most alluring features is that it’s in a remote area, offering discretion for our guests. However, this also leads to our network connectivity being limited.
Unfortunately, there is no cellphone reception or WiFi at the villa, allowing guests to truly relax and unwind. Our house manager can, however, take guests to areas with reception. Guests wishing to catch up on communica- tion can do so at Bemugi’s in Santa Maria.
Mozambique is classified as a malaria area. The risk of malaria in Machangulo is low, however, we recommended all travelers speak to their physician about suitable anti-malaria medication to take before and during their stay. We offer mosquito nets in all the rooms.
Based per person sharing per night, full board including 3 meals a day, local beers and soft drinks. See our rates table for more information.
Our Luxury Villa Full Board AccommodationFrom $350 per person per night View Rates |
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Per Person: | US$ 350 per person per night |
Entire Villa: | US$ 3000 per night |
*All our rates are based on full board, including 3 meals a day, local beers and soft drinks. There is a well stocked bar available with a range of chapmagne, wines and imported spirits. | |
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Transfers |
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Boat Transfer Pick up from Maputo Fishing Harbour (Porta do Pesca) to Santa Maria, from where our ground crew will collect guests and transport to any of our villas in Machangulo. Cost includes transfer from Santa Maria to villa. (Approx 1 hour boat ride) |
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Per Boat (Max 8 pax per boat) |
US$ 160 one way |
Road Transfer Pick up from Maputo airport or any of the hotels in Maputo, driving through Maputo Special Reserve to Machangulo. |
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Per vehicle (Max 6 pax per vehicle) |
US$ 250 one way |
Private Air Charter Depends on airport of departure, as well as total pax and length of stay. |
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Price | On request |
Road Transfer: Marloth Park (VNK) - Maputo Pick up from Vida Nova Kruger, Marloth Park, to destination in Maputo (either hotel of guests' choice or direct to harbour for transport, using eCoaches. Costs exclude visa on entry into Mozambique. Costs are estimates, refer to eCoaches rate card for detailed rates. |
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Per vehicle (Max 6 pax per vehicle) |
US$ 430 one way |
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Apart from the spectacular sea views, the first thing to strike guests when they see the property, is the welcoming friendly atmosphere. Leatherback Beach Villa is a place where you can truly put your feet up and relax, while still being surrounded by luxury and every creature comfort.
There are views from every corner of this property, and the cleverly designed outside seating areas allows guests to have various options, allowing to still experience the magnificent views even on windy or rainy days.
All our rates are based on full board, including 3 meals a day, local beers and soft drinks. There is a well stocked bar available with a range of chapmagne, wines and imported spirits.
ROOMS [4 en-suite rooms, sleeping 2 each, twin or king. Rooms 2 & 3 have additional single beds for kids]
Fire Island Eco Retreats and its subsiduaries retains the right to admit any guests and furthermore retains the right to remove any guests whose behaviour impacts negatively on other guests and or staff.
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If you are serious about planning a holiday in Mozambique for Easter, the school holidays or during the Christmas festive season and New Year, then we highly suggest you start placing enquiries a few months in advance to avoid dissapointment. Eg: Start enquiring no later than October for the December holidays.
Believe it or not, people start enquiring as early as January for the December holidays.
Need to know what documents are required at Mozambique's border as well as other important information? Click here (opens in new tab) for all the details ...
Remember, some establishments charge either per unit or per person sharing. If the rate is per unit, then you'll see we have conveniently divided the rate to what-it-would-be per person sharing on their advert under the "Rates" tab.
Some establishments charge in different currencies such as the US Dollar, South African Rands or Mozambican Meticais (Mt).
So we've provided a handy currency converter tool at the bottom left-hand side of your screen (or under 'Useful Tools' if you're on a mobile device) to convert these currencies into yours.
Use our Mozambique Pictorial Map to find other amazing places you've never heard of before whether it be close to where you're looking or further beyond. There are so many "hidden gems" in Mozambique than just the usual spots.
For better understanding, we have put together a brief summary guide of what each category means and to also give you an idea of what each associated icon refers to when you see them on listings & adverts.
Listed in alphabetical order
Those who are on a tight budget should keep a lookout for this category icon. This type of establishment offers dormitory (shared) bedroom accommodation with other "Backpackers" generally using either single beds or bunk beds with a communal kitchen and shared ablutions.
Meaning the venue has its own bar on-site with staff serving alcohol/non-alcohol beverages and perhaps "pub-grub" included. They may offer satellite TV for bar patrons to follow the latest sporting fixtures live and may also host live music on certain days / evenings.
If an establishment has this icon, this means they either include breakfast in their rates or offer the opportunity for you to choose to include breakfast during your stay which is usually served to guests in an on-site breakfast room dinette or restaurant. Some B&B's offer basic / light (continental) breakfasts, Full English breakfasts or buffet style breakfast options.
Either they offer camping grounds for you to pitch your own tent if on a tight budget and / or they have their own pre-setup tents for you to camp in, some offering private facilities (aka "Glamping") within their tents such as beds, a fridge, sofa and bathroom.
This means the establishment has a dedicated hall room specially arranged and equipped with most facilities to host important business meetings, teambuilding events or any other occasion alike.
Goes without saying. Any establishment marked with this icon and listed under this category offers facilities for those who have reduced mobility. They may have basic facilities for these conditions or advanced. Kindly enquire with them directly for more information and/or specific requirements you may need.
These are dive centres who are a team of qualified dive instructors (PADI which means Professional Association of Diving Instructors) offering SCUBA diving lessons for clients and excursions to some of the best dive sites in the region for an unforgettable underwater adventure.
Environmentally friendly establishments built by local communities using naturally sourced / non-toxic materials with the objective of protecting the surrounding habitat. These types of lodges range from rustic bush and beach to luxury accommodation. Not only does this movement protect the environment, but it also helps support local families.
This means the associated business offers professional paid-for deep sea fishing charters / outings and excursions for those fishing enthusiasts (and for newbies). They generally have a fully equipped fishing boat and all the fishing gear ready for clients to bait up and cast a line. Their expertize, knowledge and experience will reward you with some of the best fishing spots for an action packed deep sea fishing experience.
If you're looking to invest or buy property in Mozambique, keep an eye out for this category for the latest in the property market.
Full Board means breakfast, lunch and dinner (also known as "All Inclusive"). If a venue is listed under this category, then they either offer guests the choice of a full board meal plan during their stay or their rates by default include full board meals. a lot of these establishments will have private personal chefs serving guests top class cuisine.
Because this is a popular search and request amongst many, we have created this specific category for exactly that - group accommodation which is very much the same as our Holiday Homes category. These are establishments that can cater and accommodate for large groups of 8 people and up in the same house / unit offering most self catering facilities as if you are "home away from home".
Similar to a typical B&B, a Guest House is usually a private house offering very few accommodation units all within the main building structure (or some seperately). Some serve home cooked meals within their in-house dining room specially catered to seat all their guests and offer a lounge area where fellow travellers can interact, socialize and share stories.
This type of accommodation is usually ideal for large groups of people going on holiday being a "home away from home" with numerous bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen for your self catering needs, lounge, toilets, braai/BBQ area, some with a swimming pool and some offering exclusive privacy.
Very self-explanatory. A venue will be listed under this category if they offer a specific luxury, private honeymoon suite or because our admin has "hand-picked" the establishment to be perfect for such an occasion based on their location and facilities offered. However, you are the best judge when it comes to planning that special getaway with your loved one anyway. Pssst ... and it doesn't have to be expensive either to enjoy, right?!
A hotel is generally a large premises that can accommodate a large amount of guests in many adjacent rooms grading from standard 2 sleeper units to "executive" luxury suites offering more in-room space and facilities. They generally have a restaurant and bar on-site for all day meals and drinks (quite often offered on a buffet dining basis). Other on-site facilities may include a swimming pool, gym, spa, in/outdoor entertainment area for kids, a conference / wedding room for meetings / ceremonies and a small shop.
This indicates that the establishment has a small / large restaurant on-site for their guests (they may also accept walk-ins for non-guests) or they have on-board catering staff serving guests in their own private space or in a designated dining area.
This type of establishment offers guests facilities required to cater / cook on their own terms whether it be within a holiday home for example or on communal grounds.
This means the establishment has spa facilities and services offered to guests who are looking for personal treatments during their vacation.
These business services can range from swimming with dolphins, horse riding, city tours, boat tours, island tours, dhow tours to game drives and more. You'll have to click on their advert to find out more and what they have to offer.
This means, the venue has all the on-site facilities and catering services to host large or small weddings and ceremonies. Depending on the size of the wedding, some may have enough units to accommodate all wedding guests.