Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cinco Portas $$
(
www.cincoportas.net
;
s US$50-80, d US$65-100, 4-person house US$180-250; )
This
comfortable place is in a restored mansion with a lovely garden. It's about a five minute
walk from the dhow port, one street back from the water.
GUESTHOUSE
Karibuni $
(Campsite do Janine; 82-703 2200; campsite per person Mtc120, r Mtc400-800)
This
place is next to Ibo Island Lodge and just up from the dhow port. It has some very basic
rooms and space in a small garden to pitch your tent. Meals can be prepared, but you'll
need to bring your own food.
HOSTEL
QUIRIMBA ISLAND
Quirimba, just south of Ibo, is the most economically active island of the archipelago,
with large coconut plantations, a sizeable sisal factory and an airstrip. While it is more
bustling than Ibo, it is less interesting from an architectural and historical perspective and
not nearly as scenic as the little patches of paradise further north, although it has some
lovely stretches of sand. It is possible to walk between Quirimba and Ibo at low tide, but
it's a long route through dense mangrove swamps and you'll need a guide.
Historically, Quirimba was an important Muslim trading centre well before the arrival
of the Portuguese. In 1522 it was raided by the Portuguese and the town was destroyed,
although it was later rebuilt. In the 16th century Quirimba served as a centre for mission-
ary work.
Quirimbas Pensão
( 82-308 3930, 82-576 7264; quirimba.island@gmail.com; r
US$50, meals US$20)
, on the grounds of an old coconut estate, has four clean rooms and
meals. Advance bookings are essential.
QUILALUIA
Until recently, tiny Quilaluia was inhabited only by seasonal fishing communities. Now
it's a protected marine sanctuary and home to
Quilálea
(
www.azura-retreats.com/
sea-facing villas. The surrounding waters offer prime diving and snorkelling immediately
offshore.
MEDJUMBE & MATEMO
Idyllic Medjumbe is a narrow sliver of island draped with white coral sand and home to
Medjumbe Island Resort
(
www.medjumbe.com
;
per person with full board from
