The activities – Derek, is the lodge based activity guy. He runs a tight “ship”, is always accommodating and ready to make a plan, has unlimited energy and is an overall great guy. I managed to catch a tuna on fly from the lodge ishing boat, one of my fishing bests for 2008. The dives were great, but due to crappy weather (before we arrived), we only managed to do three - but they were great dives nevertheless.
The management – Louis runs the lodge with a unique management style, not invasive and I think highly effective. I am sure it is difficult to motivate staff to perform in the heat, but somehow he manages to do this to 1st world standards. Bazaruto Lodge is a favourite haunt of Royal Prince Harry. He has visited this lodge on a few occasions accompanied by his Chelsea “bun”. The staff at Bazaruto are sworn to silence in the hope that he and his entourage return with all his lovely UK pounds! But the occasional story slips out... especially when the British tabloids phoned us after a cyclone hit Mozambique a few years ago. "Is Prince Harry at Bazaruto Lodge? Is he okay? Is he with Chelsy? "
Harry prefers this lodge to the other offerings in the area, as his “could-have-been-father-in-law” is a Zimbo, and the lodge is a firm favorite with the well heeled Zimbo farming and business elite. Yes there are still wealthy Zimbos who still fish like crazy and enjoy the good life.
Must do’s: 1) Do a day trip to Paradise Island, owned by an alleged Zimbabwean rogue, this is truly one of the best fishing and snorkeling spots on the African coast, well worth the $60pp. 2) Do a beach drive to far flung remote picnic and fishing sites along the Bazaruto Island coast, site fish for “kingies” and many other species. 3) Do the Beach braai on “the spit”, fish (catch and release) for shark. 4) Eat a crab curry at Vilankulos Airport on your way home - the best!
Must don’ts
1) Spend too little time there. 5 nights is just enough to de-stress, 3 nights is not. 2) Order a $7.50 can of Coke Lite - a wee bit on the costly side. (more expensive than a Mai Tai cocktail!) Beers and Cokes are affordable but beware of the C-L's and Creme Sodas 3) Eat too much sea food, it’s bad for the cholesterol and the waistline... you have been warned
You have to do this lodge, it is affordable and awesome, set in an idyllic part of Mozambique. Flights are daily from Jo-burg and we feel, for what you get for your loot, the value levels are definitely there.
Big thanks to:
Mike and Daneen Littlejohn, may Aussie be all you hoped for.... The Pestana Team The Bazaruto Lodge Team | 
