Castelo do Mar

Castelo do Mar can be found on the tip of the northern peninsula in the Bay of Inhambane. This area is called “Linga Linga”. The Linga Linga area has much to offer in addition to the world class fishing and diving, including excellent birding in the mangroves, a resident dugong “sirenian”, pristine tidal islets and long stretches of deserted beach. The peninsula is often referred to by the locals as an island because waters can rise over the sands at high tides, making access by road impossible.  Castelo do Mar, the Lodge, is of historical significance and has preserved remains of a Norwegian whaling station that dates back to around 1911 to 1915 The town of Inhambane situated roughly 478 kilometers north of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique and is accessible by Road or Plane. Covered by large palm plantations and famous for the production of cashews, coconuts and sweet tangerines, the province of Inhambane is one of the main tourism centres hubs in Mozambique today. Inhambane is the capital city of the province and is more of a sleepy town rather than a capital city, but it has an intoxicating old world charm to it. Inhambane is one of the oldest towns in Mozambique dating back to the 10th century and the Arab traders. In 1498 Vasco do Gama landed with his ships just off the coast of Inhambane. When they reached land in inclement weather and approached a settlement, they were invited in the local ´´Bitonga´´ dialect to come out of the rain – ´´Bela khu Nyumbane´´. The Portuguese thought they were been told the name of the region and so Inhambane got its present name. The atmosphere and architecture in the town reflects this exciting and diverse history. Inhambane is served by an airport and a port and has petrol stations, banks, public phones, shops, food and craft markets, a bus terminus and a museum with a good selection of photographs, musical instruments and farming implements on display. Various side-walk cafes are dotted along the narrow streets and the bustling Central market is well worth a visit. Castelo do Mar can be found on the tip of the northern peninsula in the Bay of Inhambane. This area is called “Linga Linga”. The Linga Linga area has much to offer in addition to the world class fishing and diving, including excellent birding in the mangroves, a resident dugong “sirenian”, pristine tidal islets and long stretches of deserted beach. Castelo do Mar can be found on the tip of the northern peninsula in the Bay of Inhambane. This area is called “Linga Linga”. The Linga Linga area has much to offer in addition to the world class fishing and diving, including excellent birding in the mangroves, a resident dugong “sirenian”, pristine tidal islets and long stretches of deserted beach. Castelo do Mar can be found on the tip of the northern peninsula in the Bay of Inhambane. This area is called “Linga Linga”. The Linga Linga area has much to offer in addition to the world class fishing and diving, including excellent birding in the mangroves, a resident dugong “sirenian”, pristine tidal islets and long stretches of deserted beach Co-Ordinates : S 23°44’11 E 035°23’47 Fly-in Daily LAM Mozambique Airlines flights from Johannesburg or Maputo to Inhambane International Airport. Airport Transfer on request – 10 min. mini-bus to the harbour followed by a boat cruise (+/- 45mins) across the Bay. (Children under 12 years and under free). Private flight charter on request Self-drive Access is possible by the EN1 Highway but 4×4 is essential for the last 18kms to Linga Linga. GPS way-points are supplied on request. It is recommended that guests park at Campishmo (GPS: S 23’51”47 E 035’20”58) camp-site in Maxixe where safe parking is available at a nominal daily rate. Transfers may be booked from Maxixe.