Stop press: We wrote the description, below, in 2007 and again visited Quilálea in October 2008, Shortly after that most recent visit, the lodge changed ownership. It has since closed for refurbishments.
Quilalea is now widely reported as being owned by business interests controlled by Mr. Tokyo Sexwale, the South African politician and businessman.
As of yet we do not know if, or when, it is likely to accept paying guests again. Watch this space for news …
Quilalea Island covers only 34 hectares and lies at the heart of the Quirimbas National Park. It was uninhabited for millennia until Nov 2002, when Quilálea Island Resort opened nine en-suite villas, each beautifully built from wood, natural rock and traditional palm thatch. It's currently the best beach lodge in Mozambique by a very long way.
(It's perhaps worth noting here that Quilálea doesn't feel like a resort in the British sense of the word. Far from it, it feels like the tiny, exclusive tropical island that it is.)
The villas are widely spaced, each looking out over the ocean. Inside, is a king-sized bed draped with mosquito netting, and solid wooden furniture and fittings; it's high quality and stylish in its simplicity. With a sea breeze across the veranda and through large open windows, there's seldom need to use the ceiling fan or air-con. Best of all, with no fresh water on the island there are very few insects.
In the charming restaurant, or private dining hideaway, the genial chef, Nathan, prepares phenomenal food and creates a warm, friendly atmosphere. He's also a dive-master, although the fully-equipped PADI dive centre also has two full-time instructors.
Quilálea marine environment is as good as it gets; from deep coral walls ten minutes' ride by boat, to a superb home reef that's perfect for snorkelling or diving right off the beach. (New dive sites are still being discovered nearby.) Other activities include fly-fishing, canoeing, dhow trips, bird-watching, and day-trips to Ibo Island. Quilálea's not cheap, but it's worth it.
Quilálea is reached by a small flight from Pemba. Depending on the conditions, this might be by helicopter, or by plane and boat - stopping briefly on the coconut-plantation island of Quirimba.
( As you'll see from the above, although the island's correct spelling is Quilálea, it's often referred to without the accent, as simply Quilalea, or occasionally even as Quililea, or even Quililia! )
Lodge overview
Lodge type: Beach
No. of bedrooms: 9 luxurious villas
Season: Open Year Round
Ideal length of stay: About 5-7 nights is probably ideal - it's just not worth coming here for less than 4 nights.
Attitude towards children: Quilalea Lodge welcomes families with children, but only during set periods. In 2008 children are welcomes around Easter (21 March – 14 April) and during August. The rest of the year, Quilalea does not usually accept children.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
TV & radio: There is no TV or FM radio signal here!
Health & safety
Malarial area: No
Medical care: Although Mozambique is malarial - Quilalea has virtually no insects on the island itself, and so no
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A complementary laundry service is included
Accepted payment: The only credit cards accepted by the lodge are Visa and Mastercard - and both are subject to a 5% surcharge, to cover the banking costs .
Great time at Quilalea Island
A wonderful place to finish a holiday. The snorkelling off the beach excellent with access to fish and coral only metres away from the edge. Great variety of fish and noticeably different at varying t...
Quilalea Island - Paradise found!
WOW - what can we say. Truly paradise. We were met at Pemba airport by Meila who looked after us very well. Helicopter trip was amazing - would recommend this mode of transfer - views over the coas...
