Touching down along the small airstrip on the remote private island resort of Medjumbe is not for the faint of heart. Truth be told, the entire 45-minute flight from Mozambique in a small, single engine plane to this tiny jewel in the Indian Ocean can be a bit daunting…but, as the saying goes, getting there is half the adventure.
A Slice of Heaven at Medjumbe Private Island Resort
Located, quite literally, in the middle of nowhere, Medjumbe is a unique resort and just one of the 31 islands that make up the Quirimbas Archipelago, a cluster of islands stretching 200 miles along the coast of Mozambique in Southern Africa. These islands off the African continent may not be household names to many, most being more familiar with the Seychelles or Mauritius, but if you’re looking for complete seclusion, this is the place.
From the air, Medjumbe looks like a masterful painting laid out on a turquoise blue canvas with wisps of white sand stretching out into the ocean. On the ground, the 13 palm-thatched chalets lie scattered along the beach, each with a private plunge pool and indoor/outdoor shower. During my visit a few months back, courtesy of Rani Resorts, I took advantage of just about everything there was to do. While boating and diving were the perfect daytime activities, it was the nightly stargazing from the main building’s veranda while sipping the resort’s signature Caipirinha that was perhaps my favorite pastime.
Inside Your Private Beach Chalet at Medjumbe
Drenched in luxury and impeccable service, the resort is ideal for honeymooners and although kids under 12 are not permitted, there was a good mix of age groups here; I was traveling solo but fit in nicely with the other guests. While I wouldn’t recommend a trip from the States solely for the purpose of visiting this island, primarily due to the length of time it will take to get there, it’s the perfect add-on to an African safari adventure; a bit of relaxation after dodging elephants, if you will.
Coming in for a Landing
To access the island you will have to catch a flight to Pemba, Mozambique (where you’ll then obtain a Visa for $85.00 USD) and then hop on a small aircraft for the 45-minute flight over to the island. After touching down, where your cell phone won’t work but your Wifi will, the staff will be meeting you with cool drinks and warm smiles, much like a scene out of Fantasy Island. And perhaps Medjumbe is just that…a fantasy come true.
