Paraiso de Chidenguele

Chidenguele Mozambique

Paraiso de Chidenguele enquiries and reservations: mozambique@madbookings.com

PARAISO DE CHIDENGUELE BEACH LODGE The Indian Ocean meets land at one very special place in Mozambique. Here its azure waters are home to whales, dolphins and turtles while predatory gamefish prowl colourful reefs below. The pristine beaches are endless and washed in waves and sunlight. A thick fringe of tranquil dune forest stands guard high over thickets of ancient, scarlet-fruited cycads, dozing here in the dappled light as they have done for centuries. There is nothing rushed about this place, its tranquil splendour unchanged over a thousand years!

Paraiso de Chidenguele rates and prices Paraiso Chidenguele Photo Gallery

Paraiso de Chidenguele Accommodation

SELF CATERING CHALETS:
The thatched chalets each sleep up to 4, 6 or 8 people (see sleeping arrangement below). They are isolated from one another and tucked into indigenous forest.
Each is serviced daily, has hot and cold running water, an equipped kitchenette and bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. All chalets are equipped with: gas cooker, fridge, geyser, linen, towels, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils; mosquito nets, Weber braai's on request, and much more...
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT:
Type A (x2): (4 sleeper): 1 bedroom with double bed, open plan lounge/kitchen - lounge sleeper couches sleep two.
Type B (x1): (6 sleeper): 1 bedroom with double bed, open plan lounge/kitchen - lounge sleeper couches sleep two. Loft with two single beds.
Type C (x1): (8 sleeper): 2 x Type A cottages with inter-leading door.
Type D (x1): (6 sleeper): 2 bedrooms (one upstairs) each with 2 single beds, open plan lounge/kitchen - lounge sleeper couches sleep two. Loft with two single beds.
OVERNIGHT UNITS:
A perfect night stop for the weary traveller. Each overnight unit (9 in total) is equipped with 2 single beds, linen, towels, shower, toilet, basin, hot & cold running water.
GENERAL:
Hired help may be arranged on request. Staff are on constant standby to assist with your every need whilst in Mozambique - from fish cleaning to breakdowns (we even pump your tyres!). The lodge itself can be accessed by 2-wheel drive vehicles.

THE VILLAGE OF CHIDENGUELE:
70 km north of Xai Xai, the EN1 road to Beira winds to its closest brush with the Indian Ocean, only 5 km away. The countryside undulates gently, lush and green with pockets of coconut palms towering over cashew nut thickets - freshwater lakes dominate the area. Here, in a clearing, lies the tiny, sleepy village of Chidenguele (meaning "The Highest Point" in the local, Chope language). The village may only have one short street, but its name is emblazoned proudly in white stone on the hill behind the sandy soccer field. The cathedral, crisp and white on the opposite hill, seems quite out of place with its stained-glass windows. The rustic, African 'mercado; (market) trickles out a supply of whatever fruit and vegetables are available, but always beer and pau (the legendary Mozambican bread). From the village of Chidenguele, a scenic sand track meanders to the spectacular coastline only 5 km away... to paradise!
This place is PARAISO DE CHIDENGUELE.
Only 270 km north of Maputo or 70 km north of Xai-Xai and just 5 km from the main road, you can experience the magic of the Mozambican coastline at this small coastal paradise. It's unique, and at the price, it's unbeatable!

Paraiso de Chidenguele Facilities and Activities

The BAR AND RESTAURANT at Paraiso de Chigenguele are legendary. Well stocked, a stunning ocean view and open till late. Sports lovers have access to DSTV. Enjoy fabulous seafood dinners or light meals ('a la Portuguese) in the open-air restaurant.
- The lodge itself can be accessed by 2-wheel drive vehicles.
- Bring your own gear and enjoy fishing, (rock, surf, fly, fishing ski or deep-sea - this is KINGFISH COUNTRY!), snorkeling, swimming, sailing, windsurfing, sightseeing in local villages, bird watching and hiking, or just relaxing and doing nothing at all!

FISHING:
Fishing is great and many fishermen (rock, surf, fly, fishing ski or deep-sea) have met their match in the unexploited waters of Paraiso de Chidenguele - this is KINGFISH COUNTRY! Word is that "monsters" lurk here - "smashed up" is often the name of the game! Bring your own preferred bait although local bait (sealice, crabs, sillago, garfish, cuttlefish, livebait) may be obtained in the area. Common shore catches include kingfish, queenfish, pompano, rock cod, stumpnose, lemonfish, speckled snapper, blacktail, shark, guitarfish and stingray. Couta (king mackerel) and barracuda are also been taken from the shore.
· Surf fishermen have endless expanses of beach offering both blue and white water on sand or rock
· Rock fishing offers kilometres of gullies, deep channels, or white water. At spring low tide, the offshore reef can be reached on foot offering access to clear, deep water - excellent for spinning or lures
· Fly fishers can choose their spot from the beach or rock - large, deep pools exposed during low tide hold an array of feisty adversaries!
· Fishing skis unmatched at Paraiso de Chidenguele ... enough said!
· Ski boaters have access to a surf launch site and can look forward to excellent gamefish catches

SNORKELLING:
Snorkelling is wonderful at low tide, even for the less confident or inexperienced - perfect for beginners or children. Explore the numerous, magnificent rock pools, shallows and gullies teeming with sea life and marvel at the incredible diversity of shape, form and colour in the underwater world.

WALKS AND HIKES:
Stroll or jog the endless beaches searching for the perfect cowrie shell or take walks through unexplored sand forest to one of the freshwater lakes covered with water lilies and fringed with emerald palms - birdwatchers always seem to return so much later than anyone else!

BIRD WATCHING:
The area has a wide variety of birds due to its varied eco-systems - beach, thick primary dune forest, savanna and freshwater lakes. Birders, please help us compile a bird list by recording your sightings in our "Bird Sightings Log" in the bar.

THE BAR AND RESTAURANT:
The Bar and Restaurant at Paraiso de Chidenguele are legendary. Well stocked, a stunning ocean view and open till late. Sports lovers have access to DSTV!. Enjoy fabulous seafood dinners or light meals ('a la Portuguese) in the open-air restaurant.

LAKE INHAMBAVALE:
Ancient and steeped in history, this freshwater lake, only minutes away by vehicle, is 23 km long, clear and lukewarm. Lake Inhambavale is perfect for safe swimming, canoes, sailing, windsurfing, etc., and offers fun filled time away from the beach... so bring your non-motorised toys.

BOA PAZ LIGHTHOUSE:
This lighthouse is still active and in nightly use. Drive (only minutes away) or walk through African savanna and past three freshwater lakes, to the light housekeeper's shack. Now trek a short way to the top of the highest dune in the area - the more adventurous may climb to the top of the lighthouse itself - either way, the view is breathtaking!

LOCATION:
From Maputo take the coastal road (EN 1) North to Xai-Xai (200 km). Continue North through Xai-Xai to Chidenguele (71.5 km from Xai-Xai bridge). At Chidenguele, turn right in front of the soccer field and continue to the T-junction (100m). Turn left at the T-junction and continue for 150m. At the thatched bar on your left hand side, turn right onto a sand road. After you have passed the freshwater lake on your left hand side, follow the signs to Paraiso de Chidenguele Beach Lodge / Praia (Beach). Directions from the main road are signposted all the way to the Lodge. Distance from the main road to the lodge is 5 km.
GPS Co-ordinates: S 24.57.20; E 034.11.48

Paraiso Chidenguele enquiries and reservations: mozambique@madbookings.com