Why we love Ponta Membene
Ponta Membene is the brand-new kid on the block in Maputo National Park and close to Maputo city and the Kosi Bay border post.
The location is absolutely stunning – set on coastal dunes overlooking an incredible beach, with private eco-chalets beautifully appointed.
Snorkeling is world class on a safe swimming beach - and you are in the middle of a national park with great game viewing at your doorstep.
Best of all it offers great value for money for your beach holiday to Mozambique. 4x4 access only, but that keeps the crowds out!
The jewel of Ponta Membene Mozambique
Nestled deep in Maputo National Park in the dune forests overlooking miles of warm Indian Ocean beach is Ponta Membene. It is a secluded and private eco lodge offering a wide range of accommodation and offers superb value. Dream big here… with great game viewing at your doorstep and a wide range of marine activities are also available at Ponta Membene.
Maputo National Park is special and one of the most endangered eco regions and biologically diverse corners of Mozambique and indeed Africa. Nestled in the lush and undisturbed dune forests of Ponta Membene lies a new eco lodge that is now open to visitors. Membene Mozambique is an affordable getaway offering very good value for money self-catered and full board accommodation plus upmarket camping in the heart of Maputo National Park. Resident elephant herds frequent the permanent waterholes nearby and because its only accessible by four-wheel drive – you lose the crowds and oversubscribed resorts a little further south. Membene camp has intentionally been designed to be of low carbon footprint and its fits in under the tree line overlooking the warm Indian Ocean. There’s a number of accommodation options but the chalets are private and well-appointed at Membene Lodge. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in some extraordinarily biodiverse habitats combining beach and bush.
Beach and Bush at Ponta Membene
During your stay go on game drives and discover an array of wildlife that is booming in Maputo National Park with many years of solid protection and the reintroduction of a number of species including cheetah. The Park used to be called Maputo Elephant Reserve so obviously expect good sightings of elephant. You will also see a wide variety of plains game, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest and expect world class birding including coastal and forest birds. When you tire of this, there’s miles and miles of protected coast to explore with exceptional marine flora and fauna including one of the highest density of turtle nesting areas in the world. The snorkeling is in a class of its own and you can also dive with whales and whale sharks at Ponta Membene.
Ponta Membene is a conservation and private joint venture success story between Peace Parks, ANAC and a tourism operator that will put Maputo National Park on the map. Ponta Membene Lodge is fast becoming a must see destination as part of your holiday to Southern Mozambique.
Maputo National Park and Ponta Membene
Maputo National Park offer a diverse array and combinations of scenery and habitat from swamps and prairies to mountain ranges, plains, and coastal dunes. Best of all there are miles and miles of undeveloped beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean with an abundance of marine life. The wildlife in the park has a number of rare and endangered species and new animals and species including cheetah are being reintroduced regularly.
Ponta Membene Lodge fits seamlessly into the landscape of Maputo National Park and opens up this incredible area to visitors from around the world. A 4×4 is necessary, but if you don’t want to self-drive transfers can easily be arranged by Mozambique Travel from Maputo (1,5 hours), Kosi Bay border post as well as the main park gates. The lodge can also be combined with stays in Ponta do Ouro and luxury lodges on the Santa Maria Peninsula.
Facilities at Ponta Membene
- 74 beds in six different chalets types nestled among the dunes
- All chalets are equipped for self catering and have an outdoor fire pit and braai area
- Bedrooms have fans
- Restaurant and one communal swimming pool
- Marine and game activities
- Campsites with private ablutions
How to get to Ponta Membene
By Plane to Ponta Membene
Maputo International Airport is serviced from a number of international destinations by most major airline carriers. There are a number of daily flights to and from Johannesburg as well as weekly international flights direct from Europe to Maputo.
Mozambique Travel will arrange a meet and greet service for your 1,5 hour road transfer to Ponta Membene by four wheel drive vehicle
By Road to Ponta Membene
Self-driving to Ponta Membene is easily possible both from Maputo and the Kosi Bay border post. With the new road connecting Kosi Bay and Maputo National Park it is easily accessible.
It is necessary to use a 4×4 to access the Reserve and get to Ponta Membene. Use only the Futi gate as the Gala gate is currently closed. Don’t forget to deflate your tyres and switch off your ABS. Follow the small yellow arrows to Ponta Membene.
