Rio Azul Lodge

Rio Azul Lodge in Mozambique is home to not one, but two Beach Front Villas. Each luxurious Villa is made up of three double bedrooms, able to sleep up to a maximum of six adults, as well as a loft with three bunk beds for children under 16. That’s a total capacity of nine people, whether that be two families holidaying together or a group deciding to explore the eastern coast of Africa.

Both Villas have their own private deck (with a swimming pool!), seating that includes beach chairs and a dining table that allows you to eat your snacks whilst gazing at a stunning sunset that turns the sea and sky a deep orange. If you’d rather stay indoors however, the large lounge areas offer ample seating.

Room Specifications:

• Three double bedrooms
• Private deck with swimming pool
• Seating area with beach chairs
• Dining room table
• Large lounge area
• All meals daily
• Unlimited use of estuary boat per room
• Use of sea kayaks
• Tea & coffee
• Snorkelling on request

If you’d rather stay in somewhere a bit cosier, Rio Azul Lodge also has six Beach Front Chalets. The Chalets feature a Twin Bedroom with two ¾ length beds, plus a roll out bed for children under 16. The Chalets have an amazing beach front view that enables you to gaze at the sunsets over the beach, estuary and sea.

Room Specifications:

• Twin bedrooms + pull roll-out bed
• Magnificent views
• All meals daily
• Unlimited use of estuary boat per room
• Use of sea kayaks
• Tea & coffee
• Snorkelling on request

Dining at Rio Azul Lodge is always a joyous occasion, with food prepared using only the freshest local ingredients that are sourced either from nearby producers or grown onsite in the lodge’s own vegetable and herb garden. Seafood also comes straight from the sea, with no middle man getting his mitts on it. On the menu, you can expect traditional Mozambican specialties such as peri-peri chicken and freshly caught prawns. Dinners are always a particularly wonderful experience that can vary between calm and informal evenings, romantic and candlelit affairs, to fun and lively beach BBQs.

Blessed by an rich unspoilt estuary, Rio Azul is an ideal spot for a bird watching holiday. A bird walk along the shores and through the surrounding bush is sure to excite the eyes, and Rio Azul also offers boat rides on the estuary where a large array of both common and exotic birds can be found.

Rio Azul Coastline Bird Watching

The unspoilt coastline of Rio Azul plays host to many waders in the summer months and sightings of rare Crab Plovers make for a potentially special day. There is a huge variety of shorebirds to spot including Grey Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Mongolian Plover, Bar-Tailed Godwit, and Whimbrills.

Rio Azul Mangrove Bird Watching

The mangroves that line the estuary are home to spectacular Mangrove Kingfisher, as well as a selection of other Kingfisher species. Osprey, Pelicans, Flamingos, Yellow Billed Stork, Woolly Necked Stork and Goliath Heron are other estuary birds frequently spotted in the area.

Special Bird Species at Rio Azul

There are some truly special bird species encountered in the nearby environment and surrounding bush. Be sure to look out for the likes of the Madagascar Bee-eater (summer), Yellow Spotted Nicator, Pied Mannikin, Mozambique Batis, Lemon Breasted Canary, Grey Sunbird, Olive Headed Weaver, Green Coucal and White Throated Robin.

Bird Watching Assistance at Rio Azul

If you’re new to bird watching and need some help spotting and identifying the local flying animals, the lodge offers bird books and binoculars for guest use and there are keen birders among the staff who will happily lead you on an early morning bird walk.

Mozambizque Bird Atlas Project

Rio Azul is currently taking steps to become part of the “Mozambique Bird Atlas Project”, a project formed in collaboration with the Endangered Wildlife Trust to keep tabs on the local birds. To achieve this goal, Rio Azul is currently compiling a list of sighted birds and guests are encouraged to take note of every existing and new sighting.

Rio Azul Lodge provides fantastic fishing opportunities to people of all skill levels, from complete beginner fishers to the most experienced fisherman. This spot is ideal for fishers who employ a variety of techniques including fly fishing, light tackle lure fishing, surf fishing and deep-sea fishing. The policy at Rio Azul is strictly catch and release.

Estuary Fishing

Govuro River Estuary

The Govuro river mouth is a source of great quality estuary fishing, easily accessible in 12 foot aluminium boats. The estuary is large and offers diverse fishing from trolling lures, to casting baits, lures and flies. Fishing in the deeper main areas is good for grunter, kingfish, barracuda and rock cod.

Mangrove Channels Fishing

The mangrove channels are excellent for catching the likes of river snapper, perch, estuary cod, grunter and small kingfish.

Complementary Estuary Fishing Boat

The boats that come with each room are ideal for estuary fishing. They are made of aluminium and have a single 15 horse power Yamaha outboard motor, an electric creeper motor, a two-way marine radio and a cooler box for snacks. Guests will be taught how to operate the boat and the electronic equipment on board when they arrive. Guests will have the choice of hiring a local skipper should they wish to.

Offshore Fishing

Deep Sea Fishing Boats

The lodge’s boats are captained by experienced and qualified fishing guides who know the area like the back of their hand. The lodge has two 31-foot fishing boats which are reliable, safe and comfortable.

The boats have access to some extremely productive reefs. Guests have the choice of trolling, plugging, jigging, fly-fishing or drift bait fishing for the game fish that are found in the ocean off Bartholomeu Diaz.

Boats can hold up to 6 passengers at a time. The nearest reefs are within walking distance of the lodge, and reefs right up to 25 mile reef north of Bazaruto Island are accessible to the lodge’s boats.

Fishing Tackles and Lures

Tackle for offshore fishing is available for a nominal fee. Lures can be bought at market related prices.

Complementary Fishing Bait

Bait is available from the lodge at no extra charge and consists of: prawns, squid and fish. The lodge will also endeavor to supply live bait when possible.