Day 1London
You depart the UK today for your flight to Johannesburg.
You will take the connecting South African airways flight from Johannesburg to Pemba and on arrival at Pemba airport you will be met and taken to the light aircraft terminal. A light aircraft will be waiting to take you directly to the Nuarro Lodge airstrip. On arrival a member of staff from Nuarro will greet you and you will drive to the lodge which is only 10 minutes from the airstrip. You will have time to take a rest before dinner.
Day at leisure Nuarro lodge, you can take time today to rest after your long flights the day before.
You can either take advantage of the amazing diving and snorkelling from Nuarro today or perhaps take a dhow out and sail to Ilha de Mocambique which is steeped in fascinating colonial history and well worth a trip.
You could take some Kayaks out today and go exploring the bay or into the mangroves, this is fascinating to see how the tree`s manage to survive in the salt water and how the roots intertwine.
You could take a dhow out today and even try your hand at sailing the local boat, it is such a nice way to finish a day watching the sun go down from the ocean whilst enjoying a nice drink.
Today you will be taken to the airstrip for your chartered light aircraft transfer directly to Matemo island. You will have the rest of the day to settle into your room and explore the small island perhaps taking a dip in the crystal clear indian ocean for some snorkelling before dinner.
Day at leisure Matemo island, the diving from here is excellent and it will be interesting to see the difference between the diving at Nuarro and the diving here.
Situated a short boat ride away from Matemo lies fascinating Ibo Island, a melting pot of Arabian, European and African influences and a one-time centre of East Africa`s gold, ivory and slave trade. Nominated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its contribution to the heritage of mankind, Ibo Island is a largely undiscovered cultural destination that has an important history to reveal. Hauntingly beautiful, with its coral reefs, mangroves and magnificent old fortresses, Ibo Island is a natural drawcard for Matemo guests, who can visit relics from the slave trade and watch silversmiths hand-fashion intricate silver jewellery as they have for generations.
The unspoilt coral reefs and outcrops surrounding Matemo Island are one of Mozambique`s best-kept secrets. Flanked by the northern Mozambique coastline to the west and the Mozambique channel to the east, these protected waters boast an astounding diversity of marine species, all within close proximity of your launching point. Moray eels, stingrays, barracuda, kingfish and other pelagic gamefish can be seen whilst diving here in Quirimba tropical waters that seldom drop below 26c. Dolphins are frequently encountered and Leatherback, loggerhead and green turtles are often seen in the water, coming ashore to lay their eggs on the sandy island beaches.
Today is your final full day at Matemo and you can do as much or as little as you choose.
You will be taken to the airstrip for your light aircraft transfer from Matemo Island to Pemba. Depending on whether there is anyone else to pick up, the light aircraft may fly via Ibo island. The flight is amazing and gives a wonderful view of the Quirimbas. On arrival at Pemba airport you will be taken to check in for your flight back to the UK via Johannesburg.