#guludo

[danielamarchesi-blog]

My Beach Tomato BEACH OF THE WEEK - Guludo Beach, Mozambique

Each week Beach Tomato - the travel & lifestyle specialists on all things beach related, brings its readers one of the best beaches in the world. Last week I contributed, sharing my BEACH OF THE WEEK as - Guludo & Guludo Beach Lodge in northern Mozambique.

BEACH: Guludo Beach

WHERE: Northern Mozambique, Quirimbas National Park

WHY: 12 kilometres of palm-fringed, white-powdery, deserted private beaches, pristine and un-touched coral reefs, superb scuba diving, sunset dhow sailings (the traditional Arab sailing vessel), a unique opportunity to see elephants during in the day in the National Park, as well as a glimpse into real African life – this could just be paradise.

HOW: Guludo is situated 80km north of Pemba as the crow flies – which is also where the nearest international airport is. There are daily internal flights from Maputo, Mozambique's capital. A long drive along bumpy roads from Pemba awaits you, but once you arrive it makes it all that more special.

H2O TONE: Topaz blue

SAND TONE: Creamy white truffles

STAY: Guludo Beach Lodge offering nine bandas (bungalows) spread out along the empty white beach – each with panoramic views, palm-thatched roofs and alfresco marbled bathrooms, is the perfect tonic for a relaxing getaway. However, workaholics listen up – at Guludo, there is no electricity, though a generator is operated a few hours a day. So no televisions, laptops or mobile phones – bliss, non?

WHEN: Northern Mozambique offers a tropical climate all-year round with two seasons: the dry season from April to late December and the green season from late December to March. Though the good news is, it's idyllic to visit all year round.

[condenasttraveler]

World Savers Award | Guludo Beach Lodge, Quirimbas National Park, Mozambique

[danielamarchesi-blog]

Northern Mozambique – East Africa’s best kept secret

Earlier this year I was invited by the High Commission of the Republic of Mozambique on a whistle stop tour of the country to learn how, following the end of the civil war in 1992, Mozambique is slowly but surely rising from the ashes. With sustainable tourism being key to the growth of the country's economy as a whole, a series of projects are underway on both a national and local scale to help boost the tourism industry and ultimately benefit local communities. Mozambique is a land of astounding diversity, with a distinct local style consisting of a blend of African, Arab and Portuguese influences, 2500 kilometres of long unspoilt coastline and 12 marine and land national parks. To begin with, read here for my review in Style Bible of three stunning eco-lodges I visited in the northern region - Guludo, Ibo Island Lodge and Nuarro. And here is my contribution to a destination feature on Mozambique that appeared in the Guardian's travel pages last weekend (Saturday, 19 September). A very proud moment for me indeed.