Mozambique. – Imagine escaping to your own private island in the Indian Ocean to celebrate your love. To a place tucked away in a sea of blue that dolphins and whales are known to frequent and where pure white sands point towards a horizon that speaks of endless beauty and possibilities, creating the perfect setting for a honeymoon.
Located in northern Mozambique, Medjumbe Island is just that place – remote, unique and naturally romantic. Set within the Quirimbas Archipelago World Heritage Site that runs parallel to Pemba, the area is rich in cultural and history and made up of over 30 island outcrops that extend from Cabo Delgado, the northernmost point of Mozambique, to around 320 kilometres south.
The privately owned and exclusively operated Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort takes pride of position here on this pristine island of dreams, offering complete serenity and relaxed indulgence to newly weds, star gazers and ocean appreciators alike.
Home to 12 private luxury villas with four poster beds and personal plunge pool, loungers for enjoying hours spent lazily constructing plans for the future, in and outdoor showers and stylish contemporary finishes that complement the natural hues of the surrounds. Time here will allow you to bond and unwind, without a care in the world.
Medjumbe also caters for tailor-made island weddings for a maximum of 25 guests should you prefer, with their experienced team on hand to help with the planning. You can take your nuptials on the beach under luxuriant palm fronds before strolling up to the restaurant for the reception, the ocean as witness to your commitment of love.
Well aware that after choosing your perfect partner and committing to a lifetime of shared adventure, choosing your honeymoon destination is one of the most important decisions you will have to make, as it not only allows you to relax into each other after your celebration, but also sets a tone for times to come.
The serene setting, tastefully elegant accommodation and warm hospitality of remote and sun-caressed Medjumbe Island will ensure the perfect start. Allowing you to lead the way as you escape together to a paradise that will leave you hoping, that heaven be a place like this.
Arrival to Medjumbe is by light aircraft transfer, making your first sighting from the air. A small strip of land fringed with tropical greenery that appears from the turquoise waters as if by magic. Circling for landing, the approach allows you to truly absorb the surreal location and advantage of this tiny 1km x 500m paradise isle.
With 44 warmhearted staff members to oversee every attention to detail during your stay, you are instantly engulfed by a sincere sense of care so evident in their wide smiles. Whether it’s while serving you an exotic looking cocktail or helping you plan your activities for the day, their enthusiasm will ensure your stay exceeds all expectations.
Here you will eat well and in beautiful surrounds, with Medjumbe’s Jahazi glass fronted restaurant having an inside and outside deck complete with a large inviting swimming pool that is set right on the ocean. Honeymooners can opt to dine by candlelight on the beach with their feet in the sand, take light lunches under shady parasols or simply enjoy espressos and cocktails at the well-stocked bar. The designer built main areas have several strategically placed spots designed specifically to ensure privacy.
The food presents as intricately crafted taste sensations devised to showcase the fresh seafood caught by local fishermen and served alongside European classics with Mozambican flair. The traditional lobster braai remains one of the areas specialties and you may want to toast your hot sun-kissed afternoons with a local Mozambican Manica beer as you absorb the exotic Portuguese influence that these islands hold.
Your villa and plunge pool will offer a cool and private reprieve and for an unforgettable experience, you could spend a night sleeping under the African sky in the Robinson Crusoe-style king size four-poster bed, surrounded by only softly lit lanterns. Sheer romantic enchantment under the stars, and with Medjumbe Island mosquito free, you’re guaranteed there’ll be no unwanted distractions.
Activities on Offer.
Activities to bring you closer to nature, and each other, include days spent soaking up the dream, either on your own deck or at the guest pool. From either, you can simply step straight onto the beach and into the ocean, should you prefer to cool off in the salty Indian Ocean.
Take the 5,3km walk around the island at low tide. On its northern side, a sand bank narrowly slivers into the sea and on the other there’s a weather worn lighthouse that dates back to the 1930’s. Look out for sea life in the shallow pools that form between the rocks as you go, while fishing boats can be seen out at sea and the ghost crabs may come shyly come out to greet you, scattering if you get too near. You will encounter noisy seabirds too, they somehow appear bigger and less tamed on Medjumbe.
For some shared fun, book a kayak or stand up paddleboard trip with the Sports Centre, taking to an exploration beyond the shoreline and it’s gentle lapping waves and thigh high waters, to where the waves break.
Quirimbas National Park possesses an impressive number of pristine coral reefs that are home to abundant marine life, making it one of the world’s best snorkelling and scuba diving destinations and both can be booked as full or half day excursions. You are bound to be richly rewarded, with sightings of colourful fish swimming right up to you in the warm waters. This is also a haven for dolphin and whale watching, and even the turtles, which are regularly sighted in these waters, have been known to come ashore to lay their eggs, often right in front of Anantara’s villas.
One of Anantara’s most romantic offerings for honeymooners, is a gourmet picnic prepared on Medjumbe’s neighbouring island, the 400x600m Quissanga Island. A 15-minute boat ride away, it is smaller than Medjumbe, completely untouched and home to the biggest shells you may ever see. You can spend 3-4 hours in luxurious privacy here, leaving you with the feeling that you are completely alone in the world.
Here too a unique opportunity to sail on a traditional dhow boat; ideally at dusk for a champagne cruise. The resort even offers couples the option of lessons from a team of experienced local skippers that will teach you to control the ropes, sail and steer. Although, you may just want to sit back and simply enjoy the rhythmic sound of the sail in the wind and admiring the views.
In between the ocean time, which is always therapeutic, do book a couples treatment at the Anantara Spa. Located just beyond the villas, here the skilled therapists await you with soothing oils and holistic healing specific to your needs, whether it be a deep-tissue massage, salt poultice exfoliation or hair and scalp therapy, all focussing on mind and body as you relax under their expert hands.
Contact Details – Medjumbe Island, Mozambique. Tel: +27 10 003 8979 and medjumbe@anantara.com. For Mozambique reservations please contact: +27 10 003 8979 or or reservations.jhb@anantara.com. And there is free wifi should you wish to stay in touch.
Disclaimer: I travelled on a media trip by invitation of Theresa Gibbon PR and was generously hosted by the resorts throughout. Most pics supplied.
