Guests can either take the scheduled boat transfers departing from the Maputo Marina or guests can self-drive through the Elephant Reserve.

The boat transfer is approximately 70 minutes long. There is usually only one scheduled boat booked per day, which is reliant both upon the tide and upon the flights of other guests expected to arrive that day.

We set the boat on confirmation, therefore if you are the first to confirm a booking for that day do we try our best to set these boats as far as physically possible so that guests don’t have to sit and wait at the marina however we are sometimes limited.

Please check flights with us before confirming as some flights may clash with the boat transfers, if you have flights in mind please feel free to run them pass us to see if they will work and we will happily assist you.

The boat departs from the Maputo Marina (Escola Nautica) next to the waterfront restaurant.
Kindly ensure that you arrive at least 10 minutes before your boats’ scheduled departure time. You will be responsible for additional transfer/hotel charges should you miss the boat. Please note that no refunds are offered for missed boat transfers.
Please note that a maximum of 40kg of luggage is allowed per adult and 20kg per child under the age of 10 years.

Boat Transfer Terms and Conditions:
Scheduled boat transfers will under no circumstances be delayed, please ensure that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Guests will be accountable for transfer/hotel charges should they miss the boat.
There is only one scheduled boat departure from Santa Maria and one scheduled boat departure from the Maputo Marina per day, it is important that all guests are on time for transfers as these transfer times cannot be changed on short notice. If a guest misses a boat transfer, the guest will be accountable for a private boat charter.
Please note that if a boat needs to be cancelled due to unforeseen weather circumstances, guests will need to book alternative accommodation in Maputo and claim these charges from their travel insurance.

Kindly note that you can only drive to Machangulo with a 4 x 4 vehicle as you will need to go through the Elephant Reserve.
Driving through the Elephant Reserve can take 2 to 3 hours due to some roads not being in good condition.
You will need to enter the Elephant Reserve at the Futi Gate, see the route here.

It is also recommended to follow the electricity line through the Reserve.
You will also not be able to drive all the way to the lodge, but to the parking area close to Santa Maria village – the best landmark for this is Bemugi’s place. (Google Map co-ordinates: -26.093525, 32.950040) – enter this when you exit the Elephant Reserve.
The cost for the parking is ZAR 50.00 (payable directly) a day and then our boat will have to come pick you up, +- 10 min by boat from the lodge
The cost for this transfer is MZN 750 per person return.
Please also have some cash with you to pay the entry fee for the Elephant reserve (MZN 400 per person and MZN 600 per car)

Valid passport: Valid for at least 6 months after your date of return. (SA Residents do not require visas. All other nationalities requires visas.)
Very Important: An unabridged birth certificate for all minors travelling with you.

Valid drivers license. All drivers must be in possession of a valid drivers license. (S.A. drivers license is accepted)
Original vehicle registration papers, or a SAPS certified copy, not older than 3 months.
Is the vehicle still under a lease or instalment agreement with a financial institution? You then require a letter from the financial institution giving you permission to take the vehicle into Mozambique.

Compulsory third party liability insurance certificate. If you buy your Hollard certificate online please print the certificate before you enter Mozambique.
All official temporary import/export documents are available at the border posts only. Ask an official which form/s need to be completed.

The e-Visa digital platform has officially been launched and is available for use – it is open to all nationalities. This service will facilitate the pre-approval process for business travel and tourism for foreign nationals and replaces the need for physical submission of visa application documents.
Get your application documents here.

The whole country broadly follows a southern African weather pattern, with the rains falling largely between December and March.
By around April or May the rains subside, the sun comes out and the humidity drops – better weather spreads gradually from the south to the north.
June to October is the dry season, with often perfect tropical weather: clear skies, plenty of sun and almost no rain. This is the best time for most people to visit Mozambique. Although still tropical, June, July and August are Mozambique’s coolest months; you’ll need a light duvet at night, even though the temperature reaches over 30°C by day. During September and October it remains dry as daytime temperatures climb, though it cools down a lot at night.
November is a less predictable month of transition. Sometimes the rains start, although many days remain sunny and hot. The rains generally start earlier in the north of the country.

The weather here at the coast is affected by many factors and is always changing. Here are some links that will give you a great idea of things to come:
Windfinder  |  Windy  

Mosquito bites are rare here and the lodge is in an area with a very low population of people and mosquitos, reducing the risk of Malaria in our area. It is, however, always advisable to follow your medical practitioner’s advice. Use protection where possible and avoid being bitten. We are not aware of any guests that have ever contracted Malaria at the lodge, so do not let the presence of a few mozzies detract from your holiday.

Wireless internet is available throughout the lodge and rooms please connect to the Machangulo guest WIFI.   Wi-Fi is free to all our guests. Even though the line can handle all our guests, we ask that you avoid updating software and downloading large files like movies, please.

Ocean Echo Scuba is 2.4km along the beach away from us. Getting to them is all very tide dependent, if it is high tide, Machangulo will take the guests to the Sunset Deck by boat, for a fee. After this the guests need to walk the final 700m to the dive Center.

Please note that all drinks on this list can be either alcoholic (cocktail) or non-alcoholic (mocktail).

Mocktails – MZN 350
Cocktails – MZN 450

Tequila Sunrise
Tequila, Orange Juice and Lime Cordial with a dash of Grenadine.

Mojito
Bacardi Rum, Home Made Lemonade topped with Soda Water and garnished with Lime Wedges and Mint Leaves.

Margartia
Tequila, Tripple Sec, Fresh Lemon Juice and Lime Cordial.

Pineapple Dream
Bacardi Rum, Banana Liqueur, Pineapple Juice and Home made Lemonade.

Long Island Iced Tea
Vodka, Tripple Sec, Gin, Bacardi Rum, Tequila and a Sweet and Sour Mix with a splash of Coke.

Pina Colada
Bacardi Rum, Malibu, Pineapple Juice blended with Coconut Milk and a dash of Cream.

Sex on the Beach
Vodka, Archer Peach, Pineapple Juice blended with Coconut Milk and Cream.

Caipirinha
Cachaca, Home made Lemonade garnished with Lime wedges and a dash of grenadine and honey.

Plunters Punch
Pineapple Juice, Orange Juice and Home made Lemonade with a dash of Grenadine and Passion Fruit.

Sun Downer
Mango Juice, Orange Juice, and Respberry Sparletta with a dash of Grenadine.

Melon Punch
Yellow & Green Melon blended with Pineapple Juice and Condensed Milk.

Santa Maria Breeze
Tropical Juice mixed with Full Cream Milk and a dash of Grenadine.

The team will present you with your final invoice prior to your departure. Please sign a copy of your invoice and provide us with your email address (your address will not be sold or used for any other reason) so that we can send you a copy of your invoice and a statement of your stay via email.

We only accept VISA and Mastercard for payments and prefer you to not use cash please.
All transactions will be in Mozambique Metical.
You can use our bank’s website HERE to see current conversions to other major currencies.
Diners Club and American Express cards are NOT accepted.