What started as a dream of a South-African boy, became paradise for you and me. Anvil Bay is an eco-lodge located in elephant territory in Anvil Bay Chemucane, Mozambique. And yes, Mozambique is as beautiful and paradisiacal as travel brochures promise.
When he was a child Paul Bell used to travel with his godfather to a remote beach in the Maputo Reserve in Southern Mozambique. Here, the duo camped on the wild beach next to the ocean. Soon Paul dreamed of making this place available to the public in order to provide the local communities with more job opportunities. In 2017 the lodge was officially opened by Silva Dunduro, Minister of Culture and Tourism. Currently the lodge employs 31 people from which 29 community members. The local communities own 40% of the lodge and have a big say in every decision that is made. In addition, Anvil Bay works together with Peace Parks to conserve nature and to work in harmony with the Mozambicans. Moreover, the entire lodge from luxury tents to chairs is made of local materials. Anvil Bay tries to use the minimum of electricity to not harm the nature and animals. Especially during pairing season for the turtles, Anvil Bay has special attention for the animals.
Although you won’t see a lot of people during your stay, you will see a lot of animals such as elephants, crabs, fish, turtles and yes whales! This lodge isn’t only beautiful, there is also a lot to do. Of course there are the strolls on the beach, you can go for a very long walk here in Anvil Bay. The lodge owns 18km of private beach. Next you can take your swimsuit out and go for a swim, explore the beautiful nature of Mozambique while snorkeling or just relax while sunbathing. For the more adventurous people there are beach bikes available, biking on the beach is quiet a workout. On the water you can surf or boogieboard. If you are up for a heavy climb, you can even go sandboarding in the dunes. Moreover, you can go fishing with some of the staff members and if you are lucky and you catch something, the wonderful cook might prepare it for dinner. On your relaxing day the handyman is in for giving you a wonderful massage with his strong hands. So lots to do at this wonderful place.
As said before Anvil Bay lodge does its best to have the smallest impact on nature as possible, also during the evenings and nights. In the evenings the staff makes sure a camp fire is warming you up. When walking to your luxury tent the stars guide you. Living in Western Europe, I have seldomly seen such a beautiful sky.
Although a lot is kept minimalistic at this lodge, the luxury tents are perfect. I felt like a princess in paradise when sleeping in the bed under the mosquito net. All tents are unique, the interior is designed by Paul and his wife Ricky and made by the local handymen. The tents are made of wood and special tent cloth which keeps beetles and most mosquitos out. Everything in this place is perfect, from the little, good-smelling shampoos, to the flashlight, to the beach bag to the alarm horn in case of emergency (you never know in elephant territory).
And there is more perfection in this paradise. As a vegan it’s hard to find hotels or places to stay were you can be totally at ease about the food, especially when you go to a country you’ve never been to. But then there is Anvil Bay,… If you let them know before your stay that you have special food preferences or allergies the cook Jules keeps your choices and needs in mind. Every morning Jules came to me to discuss the menu of the day, he made special dishes for me and they were delicious. Yes, I felt like a princess in paradise.
If you want to travel consciously to an eco-lodge that is sustainable, Anvil Bay is the place to be. You won’t regret it, I promise. If I am ever going on a honeymoon, this might be the place (oh yeah, they do have a special luxury honeymoon tent!) !
See you in paradise,
L.
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