Fodor's Expert Review Ibo Island Lodge Quirimbas

This award-winning lodge situated in the Quirimbas National Park has been a triumph of restoration. A decade ago the three lovely old mansions that form the lodge were shabby, dilapidated cocoons. Today they are reborn and returned to their historic glory with the aid and knowledge of the local community. Ibo Island, reminiscent of Zanzibar's Stone Town in some ways, is one of the oldest settlements in Africa (excluding San Bushman sites) and has been nominated for World Heritage Status. Fourteen individually designed rooms, with handmade king-sized four-poster beds face the sea or gardens, all with wide verandas. Although the beaches around the hotel tend to be muddy and not very attractive, the surrounding lush gardens are delightful and you can be whisked off daily to a private sandbar in the Indian Ocean by a local dhow to swim, snorkel, dive, or just relax. Watch the sun set from the Bela Vista roof deck restaurant, cocktail in hand, before sampling the Mozambique cuisine.

A guided tour of the island to learn about its fascinating past is a must as is a dhow safari.