In 2004 and 2005, two sister-resorts opened in the Quirimbas Archipelago - each on its own island. The first was Matemo, and the second was Medjumbe Private Island – which was originally named 'Medjumbe Island Resort'. This is the smaller and more exclusive of the two – and in many ways it's the flagship of Rani Resorts in Mozambique.
The island of Medjumbe lies about 130km north of Pemba, and perhaps 40km north of Matemo. It's a tiny speck of an island, hardly visible on most maps – including our own satellite map of the archipelago – and less than a kilometer long and maybe 350m wide. In essence, it's little more than a large sand-bar – notable for a lighthouse and little else!
The Expert Africa team flew over this whilst Medjumbe Lodge was being built, but we haven't seen the completed lodge, yet! However, but we understand that Medjumbe has just 13 thatched chalets, all of which have en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers and a separate bath, as well as a plunge pool. Outside each is a sun-deck and lounge area complete with a hammock.
These come complete with a full range of mod-cons, including air conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito screens, hair driers, a fridge/mini-bar, an electronic safe, satellite TV and tea-/coffee-making facilities. Having seen the chalets at Matemo, Medjumbe's sister-lodge, we'd expect these to be high-spec constructions with good facilitates ... but they probably feel a little less connected to their environment that we'd normally like.
Activities at Medjumbe Island include scuba-diving, snorkelling, fishing – which we'd expect to be excellent. Also water-skiing, hobie cats and sea kayaks. The lodge organizes periodic sunset cruises, and there's beach volleyball equipment available.
Medjumbe is an interesting island resort here, and we'll reserve judgment until we see it. That said, if it is built in a style similar to Matemo, then this won't suit everyone – as it'll be a divorced from the environment. For a more sympathetic alternative, consider the nearby Quilalea Island.
Lodge overview
Lodge type: Beach
No. of bedrooms: 13 thatched chalets
Season: Open Year Round
Ideal length of stay: At least 5-6 nights, unless combined with another island in this archipelago
Directions: Medjumbe is a relatively short 30-minute flight from Pemba.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes - generally possible.
Drinks included: No - drinks are extra.
Children
Attitude towards children: Medjumbe's really quite an adult environment – it's not a place for young chidren.
Age restrictions: Children under 12 are not accepted here – unless the island is booked out by one party on an 'exclusive' basis.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Accepted payment: Medjumbe accepts payments for extras with MasterCard & Visa credit cards (there's a 3% surcharge for these), valid travellers' cheques, and cash in either US$, Euros or South African Rand.
