Where is Pambele Beach House, Mozambique located?
Pambele itself is nestled on the edge of the pristine sands on the shore line of the San Sebastian Peninsula which forms part of the Vilanculos Wildlife Sanctuary. The waters are part of the Bazaruto Marine National Park in the south eastern coast of Mozambique. The waters directly in front of the property are part of the Bazaruto Marine National Park.
The archipelago became a National Park in 1971 and there is a wide abundance of reef fish, Surgeon, Moorish Idols, Parrot, Angel and Butterfly fish to name but a few. Giant Turtles, Game fish and Devil rays are regularly seen and for the lucky few, the elusive Dugong. Schools of dolphins are regularly seen as well as the spectacular Whale sharks and humpbacks at the right time of the year.
All live free in this conservation paradise, proclaimed a National Park and recognised as a Gift to the Earth, the whole area, both land and sea is beautifully unspoilt, tranquil and devoid of any trappings of commercial tourism.
What sort of accommodation is available at Pambele Beach House, Mozambique?
The family villa offers two en-suite double rooms, Bangwe and Mazarette, which share an indoor seating area and a large outdoor sunken lounge. The beautiful stone covered outdoor showers offer guest a wonderful alfresco experience.
Bangwe offers a large comfortable bedroom as well as a walk in shower and separate WC. Bangwe also offers a separate small bedroom incorporated into the villa which would be suitable for a cot or child.
Mazarette is similar in layout to Bangwe, and provides a large comfortable bedroom as well as a walk in shower and separate WC. There is a built in daybed which could be used as a bed for a small child under the age of five.
This family villa offers the opportunity for two groups of friends to be closer to each other, or for a larger family holidays to be together under one roof.
Centrally located under a beautiful shaggy Jecca thatch roof, the main open-air lounge can be used at any point during the day, whether to escape the sun in the afternoon, catch up on the day with pre-dinner drinks or perhaps a quick night-cap before retiring to bed.
The owners have furnished the area with many local artefacts such as the mokoros (dugout canoes) flanking the entrance and two pillars carved by local craftsmen as well as sumptuous, extremely comfortable sofas to curl up on.
As well as offering exceptionally comfortable seating and a diverse range of interesting works of art, the lounge also offers easy access to the pool, dhow bar area, dining and all villas.
Just adjacent to the main lounge, is a cosy room for cooler evenings and provides comfortable seating, a large plasma screen, extensive DVD library and additional entertainment such as board games are also provided.
What Activities are available at Pambele Beach House?
You can be as active or inactive as you like at Pambele, but if you're the active type you won't be short of things to do. From discovering the diversity of flora and fauna on a 4 x 4 safari to exploring the shoreline and coast with our kayaks.
Creating first footprints on deserted shores of the many islands in the archipelago and wondering at the marvellous variety of sea life from snorkelling in the crystal clear waters or diving to join them on a myriad of wonderful underwater locations. Alternatively, you could spend the whole day lazing in a hammock... and why not?
At the Beach House
- Swimming pool & sun loungers
- Beach volley ball and cricket
- Swing ball and tennis rackets
- Books, DVD’s, board games and satellite television
Water-based activities
- Snorkelling
- Kayaking
- Dive Centre – (Please note that scuba diving activities need to be pre-arranged as the services of a dive master or dive instructor are required and will be charged for accordingly. PADI Open Water course available on request)
- Deep sea fishing (Please note Marlin fishing must be pre-arranged and will be charged accordingly)
- Island Hopping
- Whale watching (August – October)
- Sunset cruise
Land-based activities
- Guided game drives
- Bush & beach walks
- Bird hides.
- Mangrove Excursion (at high tide by boat)
- Picnics on the Sanctuary, Bazaruto Island or Benguerra Island
When is the best time to visit Pambele Beach House?
Since most visitors to Mozambique are going to experience the wonderful coastline and Indian Ocean islands, the best time to go for most people will be the dry season. However there is some great diving to be had there and so you may want to time your visit around the best times to see whales and whale sharks. Or maybe you're a fisherman - read on for what might be the best time for you. You can come to Mozambique any time, but most people prefer to avoid the rainier months of January to March which are very hot, humid and wet. May to October are the all-round best months.
Despite its proximity to the equator, the high altitude keeps temperatures relatively cool. Temperatures vary considerably depending on their altitude, but do not vary much month from month. Temperature ranges between 24°c and 28°c.
January - March: The heaviest rains fall on Mozambique from January to March in the south, but can be a month or more later than this in the northern region of the Quirimbas. November to March, however, are the best months for diving. Coastal temperatures will be around 31°c and it tends to be very humid.
April - May: This is autumn and it's generally warm and sunny with cooler nights. It's a popular time to come. You might still get a little rain in April, but May tends to be the start of the dry season.
June - September: This is winter and the dry season. It's sunny and coastal temperatures average around 27°c. Humpback whales tend to be seen in the southern seas around June to September, and in the north from about August to October. The good marlin fishing season start in about September around Bazaruto and last until about January.
October - December: October and November are spring and they bring warm sunny days and cooler nights. Whale sharks can often be seen near the Bazaruto archipelago from October to early December. The best months for birdwatching are November and December. December is the start of the rainy season. It's still good for marlin fishing.
What should I pack and bring with me?
It’s always difficult to pack your suitcase when going on a trip, especially when the chosen destination is coastal as the weather can be unpredictable. It is an obvious choice to pack your swimming costume - but it’s always a good idea to check out the weather first
For the beach beauties, you could never go wrong with an oversized woven hat and big sunglasses, these are must haves for lounging by the pool or just exploring the surroundings. The evenings get a little chilly, and a light jacket is always a good idea to take, especially on the boat rides or one of the guided game drives. Breathable fabrics such as cottons, chambray and linens in light colours are perfect for any coastal climate as they help you stay cool and comfortable throughout the day whilst still achieving a beachy look.
For a more versatile closet pack a few Neutral basics such as a cream or white shirts, white denim shorts and a linen sundress, this will make it easy to mix-and-match clothing items to create new looks every day and will also allow you to pack less. As for shoes, neutral-coloured slides or sandals are ideal for walking around the lodge and a pair of white sneakers are great for any summer vacation and can be paired with anything from a sundress to shorts and a plain t-shirt.
As for male visitors, we haven’t forgotten about you… a costume or pair of swim-trunks is of course first on our list, perfect for a day out on the ocean fishing or any of our other exiting water-based activities. Sunglasses, cap and a jacket are also needed.
To prevent over-packing, pack the basics, plain polo or V-neck shirts and shorts in neutral or light colours (browns, white, creams and light blue etc.) avoid black or any other dark colours as they absorb heat. Boat shoes or sneakers and slops are perfect summer staples for any man’s wardrobe. Choose garments that are made of breathable fabrics. Denim shorts are always a great basic to pack.
Comfort is the most important concept to take into consideration when pulling clothes for any vacation especially one with us.
Why is Conservation and Responsible Tourism so important at Pambele Beach House?
Not only is there a wildlife Sanctuary close to Pambele, but also a significant population base of local people striving to make a living. A local school caters for over 200 hundred children and the vast majority of the population still choose to live in traditional dwellings constructed from various materials including, brick, mud, dung, grass and stone.
The Pambele owner's intention has been to give something back to the people of San Sebastion, to assist them in improving their quality of life and in conserving the landscape in which they live. The Sanctuary is also an 'eco project' with a fundamental objective to achieve light touch development without spoiling the wilderness character of the area.
Pambele supports the local community through both employment and arranging and providing aid in the form of clothing, school equipment etc.