Niassa is the most Northern Province with a humid tropical environment. Precipitation occurs during the hot season beginning in late October until late April or early May. The recently opened Lugenda Wildlife Reserve is an untouched and undiscovered 45 000 square kilometre expanse of land teeming with wildlife. Endemic sub-species, notably Johnston's Impala, the Niassa Wildebeest and Boehm's Zebra occur in the reserve and the elephant population is notable for its big tuskers. The Niassa Reserve represents one of Africa's largest protected areas of Miombo woodland. There is a wide variety of carnivores in the reserve, with 26 species accounted for. Leopards are common but Lion and Spotted Hyaena densities appear to be low. The reserve has a Wild Dog population of global significance. Over400 species of bird have been recorded here and four species classified as globally threatened in the list of red data species and of particular interest for bird watchers are Taita Falcon, Southern Banded Snake-eagle, African Skimmer and Stierling's Woodpecker as well asthe multicoloured African Pitta.

Getting there:

- Lugenda Bush Camp has its own airstrip with fly-in access from Pemba International Airport (scheduled flights to Pemba with LAM[Mozambique Airlines] and SA Airlink).

- Scheduled transfers to Lugenda Bush Camp from Pemba Airport are operated using a light aircraft transfer (duration: +/- 90 minutes). Scheduled flights on SAT am, SUN pm and WED am only

- For any flights arriving in Pemba after 14h00, guests need to overnight in Pemba, and will be transferred to Lugenda the following morning.

- Due to the use of light aircraft for your scheduled transfer, you are requested to limit your luggage to a MAXIMUM OF 15KG and to utilise SOFT LUGGAGE CARRIERS. Failure to do so may result in luggage arrival being delayed and / or incurring penalties.

Lugenda Bush Camp ****
Your air transfer takes you into the midst of the Ngalongue Mountains to a 700m grass strip. From here you are transferred to the Lugenda Bush camp which is situated on the Lugenda River. After a short de-briefing by the management you are taken to your tent to settle in. Accommodation is in 8 luxury East-African style tents, 6 x Kings and 2 x Twins. All tents have an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower, ceiling fan, hair dryer, safe and wooden viewing deck. The tents have a concrete screed floor with individual Victorian styled deep tub and shower. The tents are situated beneath large wild fig trees which attract Elephant during the early morning and late afternoon. The canvas tents are spacious with easy to use flaps, but a proper entrance door that can be locked. Other amenities include gowns, separate toilet and shower, free standing tub, hair dryers, standing mirror in bedroom, desk with chair, king size bed with beautiful linen and cushions, mosquito net (optional), ceiling fan, armchair, private veranda with desk and chair. Lovely toiletries (shampoo, soap, body lotion, after-shave), in-room safe and bottled water. There is a nightly turn down service and the tents are very private and youhave a sense of safety.

You will savour amazing cuisine especially considering that you are in the middle of nowhere! A tray with coffee, truffles and biscuits will be waiting for you on the veranda of your tent before the early morning game drive. Breakfast, high tea and dinner are all taken in the open dining room in the main lodge, which also offers a well stocked bar with a selection of red and white wines, soft drinks and an ice machine.

The camp has a swimming pool with comfortable recliners. At present the elephants in the camp are a huge attraction, but you should only leave your tent when staff or management are nearby.

The area is well-suited to game drives; the vehicles take8 guests; and the game drives are directed by qualified guides. The scenery is dotted with baobab tree sand palms and interspersed with large granitic domes, covered in bizarre resurrection-like plants. The results of an aerial census carried out in October 2002, estimated an elephant population of 12 000 with evidence of an increasing trend in numbers. The Reserve also has over 9000 of the sable antelope and several thousands each of Cape Buffalo, Lichtensteins Hartebeest, Eland, and plains Zebra. There are smaller populations of Greater Kudu, Bushbuck, Impala, Wildebeest, Water buck, Common Reedbuck, and Hippopotamus. Duiker and Warthogs abound. Lion, Leopard and Spotted Hyaena are common. The estimated population of the endangered African Wild Dog exceeds 200 individuals, which identifies the Niassa Reserve as one of the lastrefugees for this species. Of particular interest are three endemic subspecies, which exist in Niassa but are rare elsewhere, namely: Niassa Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus johnstoni), Boehm's Zebra (Equus burchelli boehmi), and Johnston's Impala (Aepyceros melampus johnstoni).


Please note:

• Clients should not bring any dark colour jackets and pants as these colours attract the Tsetse fly. We recommend good hiking/walking shoes. Bring hat and cotton clothes.
• Please advise of any special dietary requirements.
• Lugenda cannot guarantee that you will see the big five as the animals are still very shy.
• No children under 12 years.
• Kindly note that Lugenda Bush Camp is situated in a malaria area and necessary precautions should be taken
• Due to the rainy season in the area, Lugenda Bush Camp will be operational from mid-May to the end of November each year only.
• Luggage is restricted to soft bags 15 kg.
• There are no toilets on the flights Pemba-Lugenda and the islands.

Quirimba Archipelago: Medjumbe

A small island waiting to be discovered is Medjumbe, another gem under the umbrella of Rani Resorts. A secluded island built for adults only (no children allowed) so guaranteeing privacy and exclusivity this is going to be one of the loveliest hotels in the Quirimbas. Stroll along pure white shores whilst soaking up the turquoise ocean, watch crabs scuttle into their shells and birds dance in the air. Dolphins are welcome residents in the azure ocean and for the very lucky the rare glance of a dugong! For the more energetic take a hike around the island stopping off to explore the lighthouse. Traditional Mozambique architecture adds texture and intrigue and each chalet overlooks the sea. The nearby island of Quisanga is going to be offered as a private retreat for honeymoon couples wanting their own island experience.

Medjumbe is offering 12 secluded chalets no more than 20 m from the beach and each very private. All Medjumbe's chalets are beautifully furnished and equipped with en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, mini bars, ceiling fans, personal electronic safes, hair dryers, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.

---

Itinerary Lugenda Bush Camp & Medjumbe: 7 nights

Day 1: Flight from Johannesburg International airport to Pemba with LAM. On arrival at Pemba you will be met and you will check in for your 90 minute flight by air van to Lugenda Bush Camp, where you will be staying for 3 nights on fully inclusive basis.

Day 4: Check in for your flight from Lugenda to Medjumbe Island. Stay at Medjumbe for 4 nights on a fully inclusive basis (with house wines, local brand spirits and beer, bottled water, tea/coffee and soft drinks).

Day 8: Flight back to Pemba. Check in for your flight back to Johannesburg.

---

Prices include International flights (departure ex Johannesburg with LAM), at Lugenda: accommodation includes all meals, teas/coffees, scheduled safari activities, refreshments on game drives, emergency medical evacuation from Lugenda, conservancy/park fees, laundry, soft drinks, bottled water, table wines, local spirits and beers. Medjumbe: hotel accommodation and meals as indicated, all airport - hotel transfers by light aircraft, non-motorised water sports, laundry and park fees

Not included Visas fee, airport taxes, drinks, tips, personal expenses and travel insurance.

---

Below is an approximate price per person sharing (October 2010)

±US$5111

---

Related News:

 Mozambique: Quirimbas - Medjumbe ***** - 10.02.2010 19:10

 Mozambique: Quirimbas - Matemo ***** - 10.02.2010 19:08