Das Hotel allgemein
Dunes de Dovela is Southern Mozambique’s only eco lodge surrounded by virgin coastal woodland. Situated about 400 kilometers north of Maputo and 80 kilometers south of Inhambane, we offer seven all-inclusive* tented luxury suites and bungalows overlooking the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean. Our restaurant boasts a varied assortment of local fruits, vegetables and seafood in the most exquisite fusion of Mozambican and French culinary traditions. The Dunes is at the center of our 100-hectares conservation area and is full of flora, fauna and wildlife native to Mozambique that has been preserved in this protected piece of coastline. Between the forest, dunes, lake and neighboring Dovela village, we have counted 303 unique bird species, 30 trees, vervet monkeys, mongoose, monitors, bush babies and more. In a malaria-free setting with no predators, you can explore the woodlands with our guided walks or on your own and from our bird Hide in the heart of the forest. Our stretch of Indian Ocean is home to sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks and of course, the majestic humpback whales. From July to October we offer unobstructed views of humpback whales migration where you can watch dozens of whales breach and play while dining, sipping a glass of wine on your veranda deck or relaxing on the beach.
Die Lage des Hotels
Located between Bazaruto and Kruger national parks, “Dunes de Dovela” is on a doorstep of Inhambane, closed to Zavora, between Maputo and Vilanculos in Mozambique. Our ecolodge is the perfect place to feel the energy emerging from the beauties of the Mozambican coast offering at the same time a whole immersion into the Nature and the Chope Culture.
Zimmer / Unterbringung im Hotel
THE BUNGALOWS Perched atop The Dunes, each Bungalow offers a private and luxurious space to rest and relax during your stay. The Bungalows feature a deck and sitting area where you can enjoy sunrise or an afternoon of reading. Enjoy unobstructed sea view from inside the bungalow, in your outdoor shower or the veranda. From June through October, wake to humpback whales breaching and spraying as they migrate towards the warmer waters of the Mozambican channel over morning tea or coffee we serve to you. Each bungalow has a bathroom (with two bassins and a bathtub), separated toilets and outdoor shower Bungalows are ideal for two people (with two single beds or one king size bed). We can arrange a third bed for an adult or two bedcamps for kids. THE TENTS Completely immerse yourself in the woodlands from our tents. Nested in the coastal forest is The Dunes Bush Camp that features four private 3X3 m dome tents that each sit atop a deck terrace overlooking the dunes and ocean. Watch the sky light up at sunset from the lookout point behind the Bush Camp. IIeal for a small family or group of friends, two tents are pitched on the same wooden platform. The two other tents are ideal for couples (double beds). The four tents share the toilets, away from the showers. They are an incredible nod to the splendid surrrounding environment
Gastronomie im Hotel
With the best of the local bounty, Alexandra, Véronica and Hilario create delicious meals inspired by mozambican and french culinary traditions. At The Dunes, almost everything is home made : bread, pastries, cakes and ice creams, coconut milk and cream, jams etc .. Available almost the whole year round, aubergines, rock lobsters and passion fruits are the three pillars of our cuisine and we will be happy to guide your discovery of their 1001 flavours. The game does not stop here … At the same time as generating revenues in the village by sourcing locally grown produce, our restaurant will also delight your taste buds with fresh, diverse and high quality food. The rock lobsters, octopus and fish are brought by the fishermen straight from the beach in front of the lodge to the kitchen. Caught by hand or by speargun, this is a sustainable small-scale way of fishing avoids by catch, therefore, its footprint is very small. With an emphasis on seasonal produce, we source the fruits and vegetables everyday to craft our menus daily with the produce being grown in the village: baby marrows, peanuts, lemons, tomatoes, coconuts, onions, cassava, cashew nuts or mangos. Your breakfast buffet includes an array of The Dunes jams along with freshly baked bread and cake. You will also be able to order a hot savoury course. Lunch and dinner consist of three courses and the dishes change every day. We can organise lunch packs for those who want to spend their days at the beach or go for a whole-day walk. Settled in the sea and vegeted dunes view restaurant, we hope that you will enjoy our five-star Franco-Mozambican cuisine during your visit! We’re happy to accommodate any special dietary needs so please do share with us any dietary requirements before your stay so that we can organise a tailored menu to meet your needs.
Sport und Unterhaltung
The beach For anyone in need of pure relaxation, the pristine Manhame beach below The Dunes is the perfect escape just a five-minute walk from your Bungalow or Tent. We’ll arrange a shade so you can enjoy as much time as possible. You can also stroll along the sea during hours, you may only meet few lonely fishermen … Bodyboards and other beach games are available at the lodge. Nature walks: The library of the lodge offers a variety of nature dedicated books. At your entire disposal, this literature is focused on flora and fauna southern african species and is available to help you identify the trees, the plants, the butterflies and every kind of insect that you may have encountered during your walks. Our guides are also here to accompany you in your nature research. Surrounded by the costal forest, the Dunes de Dovela offers several marked paths of various lengths : a quick 5 minute walk will take you to our bird hide … at 45 minutes further, you can wander up to the lake .. or even 1 hour 30 further you can go to the village and roam there for a while. Alone, using our maps or accompanied by our guides, you will be able to use the trails as much as you wish and learn a bit more about the flora of this kind of forest. Our guides will also be able to show you some traditional use of certain roots, leaves or stems (the traditions which are still used today...). For the hiking lovers, we can organise, upon request a whole day long walk without any difficulties. Birdwatching A passionate enthusiast, Thomas, trained as a fiel guide (FGASA Trail Guide level 1) permanently monitors the observed species in the area and updates on a daily basis the Dunes de Dovela’s bird list. He will gladly accompain a budding or experienced birder for the quest of one of the 262 species of birds that inhabits the area. Rogerio and Nelson, the two guides of the dunes, trained by Thomas now also enyoy it and can help you to spot the Livingstone's Turaco or the Red-throated Twinspot or highlight the calls of the Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird or the Gorgeous Bushshrike which are all permanent residents of the coastal forest. A hike to the village will surely provides you with a good sighting of a Collared Palm Thrush, a Crowned Hornbill or a Dickinson’s Kestrel. The austral summer sees the arrival of paleartic migrants such as the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, the Booted Eagle or the Common Sandpiper but also intra-african migrants as the African Pygmy Kingfisher or the very rare Dwarf Bittern. Many birds guides and scientific books, binoculars and birds app are available at the lodge. Do not hesitate to contact us if your are looking for one of the birds of our list, we surely know how and where to find it ! The Village Peaceful, serene and endearing are the adjectives that come randomly to one’s mind while walking through Dovela’s village. Over the years, we have built strong relationships with the surrounding communities, creating the most favorable conditions to discover simple moments of daily life in rural Mozambique. Walking through the villages can give you the opportunity to see cassava, beans or peanut crops and harvesting. Depending on the season or on the time of the day, you may be able to witness the process of cassava flour or maybe the famous « tontonte » (local alcohol) making. Going along the south point of the lake in a late afternoon will allow you to hear the kids’ laughters as they take their bath or the noise of the clothes being beaten on some pieces of wood set on the floor by their mothers after being washed.
