Baia Sonambula Guest House - Mozambique

HOLIDAY PACKAGE - FROM £2095

Situated in Tofu, Baia Sonambula Guesthouse is simple and welcoming with a rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy breakfast with stunning views over the beautiful, curved bay. Conveniently located for the local dive centre; manta, shark, and critter encounters are just a short boat ride away.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
  • 1 night Johannesburg B&B
  • 7 nights’ Baia Sonambula
  • Continental breakfast
  • Flights
  • Transfers
  • 10 dives
KEY HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Beachfront location with tropical gardens
  • Four bungalows and two rooms
  • Communal kitchen and lounge area
  • Restaurants, bars, and market close by
  • Homemade and locally sourced produce
  • Bespoke excursions available

A piece of paradise, elegant and simple, warm and friendly, are just some of the ways to describe this beautiful corner of the world, and we haven’t even mentioned the diving yet. Baia Sonambula Guest House is one of the nicest guest houses in the area, just a 5-minute stroll along the beach from the central market and dive centre and being in a slightly elevated position it also offers some of the most beautiful views of Tofo bay.

The guest house comprises of four Sea View Bungalows, and two Garden Rooms within the main house overlooking the lush tropical surroundings. All rooms have a relaxed yet stylish vibe, with neutral colours and natural wood furniture. Breakfast is served on the roof terrace overlooking the bay, and the main house (to which all guests have access to) has a lounge area with library, and a small kitchen where you can prepare your own fruits or salads purchased from the market (although no cooking is allowed). Tea and coffee are available throughout the day, and there is an honesty bar offering wine, beer, water, mixers, and sodas.

Outside of the main house you will find a shaded terrace and dining area, and a sundeck where you can relax on the sun loungers and take in the wonderful views, the perfect place for that pre dinner G&T. Most guest houses offer a laundry service, and there are a few places to buy provisions and essential toiletries.

Baia Sonambula is situated in Tofo, a coastal town in south-eastern Mozambique known for its beautiful, curved beach. The village has a small selection of nice restaurants and bars, and a market where you can buy fresh produce. There is a regular bus service into Inhambane and Maputo, and cabs available if preferred. Diving in Tofo is arranged by us with a local dive centre, all diving at Tofo is undertaken by RIB, and sometimes the beach launches can be as exciting at the dives themselves.

Sea View Bungalow (Back)

Seaview back

Facilities

  • Fan
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • En-suite Facilities
  • Sea-Facing Verandah
  • Desk
  • Beach Towels
  • Wi-Fi
  • King Size or Twin Beds

Beautifully yet simply furnished, with a king-size or twin beds, ceiling fan, ensuite bathroom with hot and cold showers, personal safe, desk and a water filter for safe drinking water. Large private verandah with sea views and baldacchino bed.

Sea View Bungalow (Front)

Seaview front

Facilities

  • Fan
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • En-suite Facilities
  • Sea-Facing Verandah
  • Desk
  • Beach Towels
  • Wi-Fi
  • King Size or Twin Beds

Beautifully yet simply furnished, with a king-size or twin beds, ceiling fan, ensuite bathroom with hot and cold showers, personal safe, desk and a water filter for safe drinking water. Large private verandah with sea views and baldacchino bed.

Deluxe Sea View Bungalow

Deluxe bed view

Facilities

  • Fan
  • Mosquito Net
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Private Terrace
  • Beach Towels
  • Open air en-suite bathroom
  • Private infinity pool
  • Wi-Fi
  • King Size or Twin Beds

Offering total privacy and comfort just 20m from the beach, with a luxurious open air bathroom surrounded by African sky, private terrace with seating, infinity dipping pool, kingsize or twin beds, and ceiling fans and wall fan.

Standard / Garden View Rooms

Garden View bed

Facilities

  • En-suite Bathroom
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Desk
  • Beach Towels
  • King Size or Twin Beds

From these rooms you will appreciate the lush tropical gardens, bright and airy with a kingsize bed or twins and an elevated ensuite bathroom and desk. A short stroll from the nearby roof terrace and beach.

The resort only offers breakfast which is served daily on the main terrace from 6.30-9.30am. Options include their homemade marmalade and yoghurt, a selection of pancakes and omelettes, coffee, and fresh seasonal juices. The meeting time at the dive centre is around 7.30am which is just a 5-minute walk from the resort.

The main house (to which all guests have access to) has a small kitchen where you can prepare your own fruits or salads purchased from the market (although no cooking is allowed). Tea and coffee is available throughout the day, and there’s an honesty bar offering wine, beer, water, mixers and sodas.

There are several restaurants to choose from in Tofo, offering a selection of meat and fish dishes with some delicious salads. One of the nicest is Casa de Comer, French cuisine with a splash of local flavour. The proximity of the market and the sea guarantees the quality and the freshness of the shellfish, fish, vegetables, and fruits.

Tartare of fish and cucumber, various mixed salads, carpaccio of fish, crab mayonnaise, seafood feuilleté, calamari flambé with pastis, fish filet “au vin blanc”, grilled crayfish, Mozambican matapa (manioc leaves cooked with coco, cashew nuts and seafood), chicken with cashew nuts, fresh exotic fruit salad, crème caramel, real chocolate mousse, mango pie, bananas flambé with local rum are just some of the dishes often available.

Tofo Tofo have a good reputation and offers value for money, and there are a couple of small places where you can pick up a pizza if that takes your fancy. Local specialities, both hot and cold, are also available from the lively markets and welcoming bars.

Dives are taken as 2 dives with a surface interval on board the RIB which departs between 8am and 9am in the morning, usually returning between midday and 1pm. When conditions allow, a 3rd dive may be possible in the afternoon. If not then there maybe the option to take an Ocean Safari, an exciting 2/3 hour trip where you can snorkel with whale sharks.

Tofo is rich in a diverse array of marine life, hard and soft corals, pelagic fish, a multitude of colourful reef fish, turtles and giant moray eels. There are a wide variety of rays, some of which are not seen in many parts of the world.

Many people visit this destination just for the experience of diving with manta rays, including the giant manta ray, as the area is said to have one of the largest known manta ray populations in the world! Apart from rays, you may also encounter grey reef sharks, white and black tip reef sharks as well as the majestic whale shark.

For those divers who love the little things, the reefs offer a wonderous array of shrimps, nudibranchs, leaf fish and a whole range of other critters to keep you fascinated throughout your dive. Dive sites vary in distance from 5-35 minutes from shore and encompass some of the most spectacular reefs on the Mozambican coastline with the possibility of a snorkel with whale sharks en-route!

This tropical climate has sunny days and fresh evenings all year round. The dry season runs from April to late December and the summer season goes from late December to March. Summer season is hotter with higher humidity and occasional short intense showers, usually at night. Daytime temperatures vary from 22-32°C/72-90°F. Visibility is around 15m with ranges up to 40m typically between April and October.

During a dive in Mozambique you have a great chance to come across huge creatures like whale sharks, manta rays, and humpback whales. Look a little closer, and you will see bountiful reef fish and unique marine life. Five of the world’s seven species of turtles frequent Mozambique, and the rich currents filter in tons of nutrients and plankton to feed this bustling ecosystem.

Average temperatures in Summer (Sept-May):
Air 27-34c / Sea: 24-26c

Average temperatures in Winter (June-August):
Air 18-26c / Sea 20-24c

There are several options to reach Inhambane depending on where your international flight is originating.

One of the most comfortable is direct to Johannesburg, then relaxing overnight in a local guest house or lodge, before departing for Inhambane the following morning via Maputo, arriving early afternoon. Transfer time from Inhambane airport to Tofo is approximately 30 minutes.

We can discuss all options with you whilst planning your trip to see what best suits your requirements.

The metical is the currency in Mozambique
The time difference is GMT + 2 hours
Calling code +258
Plug types are C, F, M
Please follow this link for up-to-date health advice and details of any vaccinations that are required before travel
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mozambique/health

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