Ilha do Fogo Eco Lodge, Ilha do Fogo Eco Island resort Accommodation, Mozambique

Fact Sheet Facilities & what to expect at Ilha do Fogo Eco Lodge

• Full Board / All Inclusive
• WiFi Access
• Beach Access
• Chefs On-site
• Bar On-site
• Daily Housekeeping
• Laundry Service
• Boat Launch Site
• Backup Solar Power
• Power & Plug Points
• Airport Transfers
• Credit Card Facilities
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• An Exclusive & Enriching Diving Adventure
• 150km of breathtaking, untouched reef with abundant and diverse marine life
• A unique opportunity to discover unknown reefs
• 4 x timber units, from sustainable Msasa wood
• The rest of our lodgings are exceptionally comfortable, ensuite, tented accommodation
• Guests have all the modern conveniences of electricity, running water, furniture, and plush bedding
• WiFi is available
• Firepits
• Boma provides a welcoming social area
• Bar and lounge area
• Delicious and eco-conscious dishes
• Ground vegetation has been protected through the use of 'floating' foundations
• The island runs solely on solar power
• Over 450 species of corals that we know of
• Crucial marine biodiversity area, with abundant and diverse hard and soft coral communities, mangroves and seagrasses
• Throngs of colourful fishlife over the reefs and countless invertebrates
• We are perfectly placed in the migratory route of humpback whales, endangered whale sharks and apex predators including bull and hammerhead sharks. Manta rays, devil rays and stingrays
• We are often blessed with the presence of green and hawksbill turtles around our reefs, which also come onto our beaches to nest
• There are numerous bird and butterfly species on the Ilha do Fogo
• Shallow reef diving and snorkelling
• Ethical deep sea fishing
• Guests have access to our kayaks and the waters around the island are most often calm, offering an easy shore entry
• There are lots of walking paths through the enchanting forested area
• 10 day Scuba diving tour package on offer
• Marine & Wildlife Conservation
• Sustainable social & economic solutions
• Anti-poaching units
• We're looking for experienced divers (Adv+), to join us on an adventure of a lifetime. Proceeds from the trips will help fund our conservation projects

Ilha do Fogo, translated as Fire Island, is a beautiful and remote island that lies off the Northern coast of Mozambique. It boasts 150kms of breathtaking, unexplored reef, with abundant and diverse marine life. If you're reading this, you've been fortunate to get the inside scoop on a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list adventure.

We are offering a unique opportunity to discover unknown reefs, and help conserve this remote island. Our quest is to learn more about Fire Island's incredible flora and fauna, and our goal to set up projects to protect its imperilled inhabitants.

Accommodation

To keep a low ecological footprint on our eco island, we have opted to build only four timber units, from sustainable Msasa wood, sourced from Mozambique's only FSC-certified company. The rest of our lodgings are exceptionally comfortable, ensuite, tented accommodation.

Air-Conditioning

Unit Photos

8 x Luxury Tents All Inclusive / Full Board

Price on Request per person per night View Rates

• Each Unit Sleeps: 2
• Bedrooms: 1
• Bathrooms: 1 (Private)
Note All meals and house beverages included

Located within the natural clearings of our island's tree-lined thicket, the wonderful thing about this 'glamping' type of stay, is that you are truly immersed in nature. Guests have all the modern conveniences of electricity, running water, furniture, and plush bedding, while deepening their engagement with the surrounding environment. Although WiFi is available, we recommend unplugging and savouring the restoring escape.

Social

Firepits are synonymous with unity and our boma provides a welcoming social area. We have a bar and lounge area, offering a unique and relaxed space for guests to unwind. Our head chef, Hannibal, delights our guests with his delicious and eco-conscious dishes. He recently underwent training with renowned chef, Francois Ferreira, of the Francois Ferreira Academy, and loves showcasing his newfound techniques.

Low Impact

We have ensured that the existing forest, flora and fauna are safeguarded and that Ilha do Fogo's natural topography is preserved. Ground vegetation has been protected through the use of 'floating' foundations. The island will run solely on solar power, providing our guests with a clean, renewable energy source. We have also created an environmentally-friendly decentralised wastewater treatment system, which uses very little energy, while protecting the land and ocean.

Marine Life

Ilha do Fogo boasts 150kms of unexplored coral reefs, with over 450 species of corals that we know of. Located in the Primeiras e Segundas Environmental Protection Area (PSEPA), it is considered a crucial marine biodiversity area, with abundant and diverse hard and soft coral communities, mangroves and seagrasses.

There are throngs of colourful fishlife over the reefs and countless invertebrates. Although we haven't yet explored the area for megafauna, we are perfectly placed in the migratory route of humpback whales, manta rays, and whale sharks.

The encircling coastline and beach are a haven for pink ghost crabs and Sally lightfoot crabs can be seen running around the rocky outcroppings. These charismatic critters are delightful to watch.

Our island exhibits seagrasses on its North side. We have yet to explore the area thoroughly and are confident will reveal the presence of pipefishes and seahorses.

The purpose of our conservation projects has mainly been for the preservation of turtles. On Ilha do Fogo, we are often blessed with the presence of green and hawksbill turtles around our reefs, which also come onto our beaches to nest. It is important that Ilha do Fogo will continuously provide a safe haven for these endangered animals and their hatchlings, and our top priority will be to minimise the impact on their environment.

Terrestrial Life

There are numerous bird and butterfly species on the Ilha do Fogo, and a few other small critters, such as lizards. There are no snakes or dangerous creatures. Entomology enthusiasts would have a field day with the many unidentified species on the island.

Activities

Shallow reef diving and snorkelling

The shallow reefs on the southside of the island boast rich biodiversity. Just meters from shore, they are within easy reach for snorkelling or shore entry SCUBA. Some of the iconic fish species you will be guaranteed to spot dozens of are Clark's clownfish, wrasse, trumpetfish, blue tangs, butterflyfish, and angelfish. Of course, it provides the ideal habitat for our invertebrate, sponge and algae-loving green and hawksbill turtles.

The other prolific fish species we see are triggerfish, unicornfish, goatfish and lionfish. Both the soft and hard corals are astounding, entirely pristine and superabundant, sporting plenty of anemones and molluscs.

The northside's reef system, instead of sandy seabeds and bright corals, shows a completely contrasting topography; rocky outcrops, seagrasses and distinctly diverse fauna. During our limited exploration in this area, we have discovered metre-long sea cucumbers, Picasso triggerfish and octopus, to name but a few. This stretch exhibits dense grasses, which offer a perfect calm, protected habitat for seahorses.

For the wreck dive enthusiasts, you'll be thrilled to know that there is the prospect of discovering wrecks near the island. One possible ship is the Santo António, which wrecked off the island in 1644.

The shallow reefs around the island alone are enough to satisfy even the most seasoned divers.

Ethical Fishing

There is an opportunity for deep sea fishing expeditions from the island. Staying true to our ethics, we will only target species that are green-listed in order to eat them, which produces a lower carbon footprint than bringing over food from the mainland.

Yellowfin tuna, dorado (mahi mahi) and queen mackerel are tasty treats on the braai, and are passionately prepared by our chef.

Other activities

When you're not busy diving or snorkelling, or indeed, relishing the rare peace and quiet, there are other activities on the island. Guests have access to our kayaks and the waters around the island are most often calm, offering an easy shore entry.

There are lots of walking paths through the enchanting forested area and plenty of places to leave the beaten path and explore. The flora and fauna are so unique and picturesque, that our guests will truly feel far away from life's constant bustles.

Scuba Tours Package

See rates tab for package costs

• All road transport & land arrangements
• All meals and house beverages included
• All dives included. Night dives will be charged extra, depending on the location

Day 1

• Arrive at Maputo or Johannesburg
• Maputo Airport: Transfer to Southern Sun Hotel
• OR Tambo Airport: Transfer to Africa Sky Boutique Hotel (transfer and hotel included in price)

Day 2

• Fly to Nampula
• Fire Island private plane to Ilha do Fogo
• Check-in and dinner
• Dive brief

Day 3 - 5

• Diving: house and nearshore reefs

Day 6 - 8

• Diving: house and nearshore reefs

Day 9

• Leisure day

Day 10

• Private flight to Nampula and get a commercial flight back to Maputo
• Transfer to Southern Sun Hotel, Maputo
• OR Fly Nampula to O.R. Tambo (airfare not included in package price)
• Transfer to Africa Sky Boutique Hotel, Johannesburg

Marine & Wildlife Conservation

Our island is an essential nesting spot for turtles, including endangered green and critically endangered hawksbill turtles. These visiting turtle populations have faced decimation at the hands of poachers for many years. Since this discovery, we have initiated our turtle monitoring program, but need help to fully establish it. The project aims to empower members of the local community, with the knowledge and skills, to protect our marine life. Megafauna enthusiasts can expect to see whales from as early as May, through to December, when the southern right and humpback whales migrate to our warmer waters.

Every turtle species that inhabits the African coastline faces pressure from humans, and their survival is under threat. Critically endangered hawksbill and endangered green turtles, plus vulnerable olive ridleys visit our island. We aim to establish projects that address the threats and put measures in place to protect and conserve our marine life. In Mozambique, these are the organisations making waves in marine conservation:

Sustainable social & economic solutions

We need to tackle the social and economic issues that feed into our ability to ensure the conservation of the area. Our presence alone has already deterred illegal fishers from coming to the island., however, just being present is not enough. We must find a sustainable solution, that will have a lasting, positive effect on both human and animals inhabitants, long after we are gone.

Whenever an opportunity has presented itself, we have worked on a strategy to develop ideas into sustainable projects that will provide the local population with education, an alternative source of income and nutrition.

Threats on the Island

Our marine ecosystems are facing more threats than ever before. It is imperative that we take measures to protect marine animals and their habitats. World leaders have been called upon to ensure 30% of our oceans are listed as Marine Protected Areas by 2030, which will be a huge stride toward helping safeguard these vital ecosystems from numerous threats, if governed sufficiently.

Poaching: Poaching is a very delicate issue here in Mozambique. Despite turtles being legally protected, many local communities kill turtles for subsistence. With growing human populations and declining natural fish resources, the consumption of turtle meat and harvesting of their eggs is unsustainable.

There is also a market for turtle shell products. Hawksbills, in particular, have been hunted for their shells for centuries. This critically endangered species was assigned the highest level of protection in 1997, by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). However, there is still a black market trade for their shells, which are smuggled to the Far East.

Many of the areas where turtles are killed are so remote, local authorities do not have the resources to enforce the law.

Pollution: At least eight million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans each year. This contributes to an estimated five trillion pieces of plastic in surface waters, and at least 14 million tons of microplastics on the ocean floor.

A floating plastic bag is often mistaken for jellyfish or algae, which make up a sizable component of a sea turtle's diet. When a turtle unwittingly swallows a plastic bag, it can block its intestines, which disrupts the turtle's ability to feed, leaving them to starve.

Microplastics were found in the guts of every sea turtle, in a study in 2018. The most common plastics found derived from tires, cigarettes, clothing, ropes and fishing nets. It is not yet known what damage is caused to the turtles from microplastics, but it is known that plastic carries chemical toxins, and can affect the turtles buoyancy.

Fishing: Gillnets, shrimp trawl nets and longline hooks pose a massive threat to turtles. Hundreds of thousands of them are caught as bycatch each year. Both the legal traditional and commercial fisheries, and the illegal, unregulated and unreported fisheries, impact sea turtles.

Sadly, due to lack of funding and government apathy for the marine environment, the scale of the threats from fishing is mostly data deficient.

Conservation Measures

We have a number of conservation actions that we are aiming to achieve through our campaigns.

Anti-poaching units: Supplying local authorities with boats and vehicles to ensure there is a regular presence in remote areas, and to help them carry out law enforcement.

Transforming the poachers into protectors:

• Locals who, in the past, were turtle harvesters, will be trained as turtle monitors and guides
• Maputo Special Reserve will carry out training, emulating their successful community-driven turtle conservation program
• Candidates will also be trained to tag turtles, with data collected feeding into international research efforts
• A number of turtles will be fitted with satellite tracking devices. Sat tagged turtles can be "adopted" and benefactors will be able to follow them online

Sustainable long term social development: At least eight million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans each year. This contributes to an estimated five trillion pieces of plastic in surface waters, and at least 14 million tons of microplastics on the ocean floor.

A floating plastic bag is often mistaken for jellyfish or algae, which make up a sizable component of a sea turtle's diet. When a turtle unwittingly swallows a plastic bag, it can block its intestines, which disrupts the turtle's ability to feed, leaving them to starve.

Microplastics were found in the guts of every sea turtle, in a study in 2018. The most common plastics found derived from tires, cigarettes, clothing, ropes and fishing nets. It is not yet known what damage is caused to the turtles from microplastics, but it is known that plastic carries chemical toxins, and can affect the turtles buoyancy.

Tourism: All of the projects are made possible by our eco-tourism efforts, which include:

• Travel packages for groups and individuals. Our interactive travel program will help to create awareness, allowing travellers to get hands-on and be a part of the conservation effort
• Scuba diving adventures on the island
• Eco-luxury lodges across Africa. A percentage of the profits from bookings is donated to Fire Island Conservation

We are offering a unique opportunity to discover unknown reefs, and help conserve this remote island.

Northern Mozambique is thought to be a migratory corridor for endangered whale sharks and apex predators, including bull and hammerhead sharks. Manta rays, devil rays, and stingrays are also likely visitors to our reefs. With long stretches of exquisite coral-rich reefs and mysterious drop-offs, just meters off the island's coastline, even the most seasoned divers will be wonderstruck.

Join us for the adventure of a lifetime

We're looking for experienced divers (Adv+), to join us on an adventure of a lifetime. Proceeds from the trips will help fund our conservation projects.

Ilha do Fogo Eco Lodge 2024 Rates: *Rates are subject to change without prior notice

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Please contact the lodge by calling or emailing them via the "Email / Book" online form for nightly rates an more otherwise see our 10 day Scuba Diving Tour Package below:

Air-Conditioning Unit Photos 8 x Luxury Tents All Inclusive / Full Board Price on Request per person per night View Rates Each Unit Sleeps: 2 Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 (Private) Note All meals and house beverages included
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