Rio Azul Lodge

Designed by a lifelong fisherman with a love of wild places, the architecture blends naturally with its surroundings: vast timber decks, louvred shutters, razor-grass (jeka) thatch and a rhythm attuned to the water. Whether you come to cast your fishing line into the deep blue, kayak through winding mangrove channels or simply watch flamingos at dawn, this is Mozambique as it once was – quiet, unspoilt and deeply restorative.

What makes this place so special?

Set at the meeting point of river and sea, Rio Azul sits on the edge of a spectacular estuarine system. The vast blue Govuro River delta – alive with birds, drifting dhows and shifting sandbanks – offers unmatched access to nature and the open sea. Not only is it a breeding site for the rare dugong, it’s a place where you can fish on your doorstep  or head out with experienced fishing guides into the deep sea, kayak on the blue lagoon or paddle the river channels winding through the mangroves.

Just arriving at Rio Azul, tucked between dune and delta, is an adventure: while the first 80km north from Vilanculos is on a tar road, the last 30km from Inhassoro is by 4×4 on the iconic ‘beach highway’ accessible only at low tide. It’s an event in itself. 

And then you walk through the doors of Rio Azul and the bluest of blue tropical waters lie spread before you.

Salt, stillness and sunlight

The owner of Rio Azul is a lifelong fishing enthusiast, drawn back time and again to the Bazaruto Archipelago. Once he caught sight of this pristine 3,4-hectare site, he was well and truly hooked. 

“The real magic is where Rio Azul is situated,” he says. “An enormous network of river channels combine into the calm and beautiful Govuro River estuary, which is 50 to 60 square km in size. It is tidal, with a vast mangrove ecosystem, and opens into the warm Indian Ocean nearby – unutterably beautiful and blue. Traditional wooden dhows drift past on the tropical lagoon in front of you, and the quietness and unspoilt natural environment of the estuary is extraordinarily compelling. Every time I’m here I find something new to delight me. Combine it with the easy access to the deep sea and everything that gives you, and this is a profoundly magical spot.”

His initial concept was for Rio Azul to be a fishing lodge. “Rio Azul is one of the few places along the Mozambique coast where you can access deep water with strong currents close to the beach. The point at the river mouth has deep water right at the edge and big game fish move into easy casting distance of the shore to feed. The estuary offers many species of fish for light tackle fishing.” 

“Given that the original idea was to build a lodge for fishermen, every element – from the showers to the bedrooms to the large central area – had to be expansive and roomy. We designed everything to be outsized and very spacious.” 

Of course, the result was too good for these fishermen to be able to keep Rio Azul secret for long, and very soon it was drawing couples and families, too – all looking to lose track of time and give themselves over to tropical-island living. And now this sought-after beachfront property for sale in Mozambique’s pristine Bazaruto Archipelago coastal corridor is looking for a new custodian – an exceptional opportunity for those looking for a tropical beach lodge immersed in unspoilt nature!

Built for comfort, designed to breathe

“We’ve used natural and local materials as far as possible, from the jeka thatching to the adjustable louvred shutters that keep the air flowing through and make for perfect ventilation. The only glass you’ll find here is used in the bathroom windows. Doors in the central lodge stack away to promote a wide open sense of space,” explains the owner.

The central main lodge is a delightful area to while away the hours. Relax on a sofa in the central lounge, or savour cocktails and delicious meals in the dining and bar area that spill onto the wide wooden deck and plunge pool overlooking the estuary.

All the villas and thatched chalets enjoy wonderful waterfront views from their private lagoon-facing decks. The two luxury villas each include three en-suite bedrooms and a loft room with bunk beds for kids, as well as a private lounge and dining area and splash pool on the deck. The six thatched chalets have a one-bedroom open-plan layout, with glorious lagoon views from the private decks. Every room includes access to motorised estuary boats for private exploring.

How do you spend your days at Rio Azul?

Do everything. Or absolutely nothing. It’s your call. 

With access to deep water right off the point and the lodge’s two 30-foot boats, catch-and-release fishing excursions are a breeze, either in the bay or a guided day trip to Bazaruto for game fishing: marlin, GTs, dorado and more await. You’ve got a good chance of encountering turtles, dolphins and perhaps even whale sharks in the winter months. 

Head off on an excursion to explore the pristine reefs of Paradise Island or the solitude of BD Island, or enjoy wakeboarding, waterskiing or tubing behind the lodge boat on the lagoon. 

If you’re feeling more laid-back, hop on your private tinny or kayak and drift through mangroves. Birding here is remarkable: look out for mangrove kingfishers, raptors like fish eagles, ospreys and gymnogenes, storks, trumpeter hornbills, herons and more!

Stroll 500 metres over the dune to explore the vast white beach or relax under a canopy and enjoy every minute of tropical beach life! Stroll to sandbar islands to search for pansy shells, or just read and relax beside the pool. Your pace, your pleasure!

After a sun-drenched day in paradise, enjoy sundowners on the deck overlooking the lagoon and then tuck into a well-deserved dinner. Expect garden herbs, just-caught seafood and prawns, peri-peri chicken plus woodfired beach BBQs. The sushi is legendary.

Rio Azul is an eco-conscious property where sustainability is second nature. Solar-powered and committed to low-impact living, it supports local communities, champions catch-and-release fishing and works to preserve the rare mangrove habitats and biodiversity of this extraordinary region – including endangered dugongs. So if you’re looking for an off-grid beach lodge for sale in Mozambique, this coastal paradise is a wonderful opportunity. With private villas, exceptional fishing and rich biodiversity, eco-conscious Rio Azul invites total disconnection and deep reconnection.

Written by Sally Rutherford

What are the property details?

• Erf size: 3,4ha
• Main lodge (350m²):
   Lounge, dining room, bar area
   Kitchen, office and store 
   Large wooden deck 
   Plunge pool
• 2 luxury villas (each 280m²):
   3 bedrooms
   Loft room (3 bunk beds for children under 16)
   Lounge, dining area
   Private deck 
• 6 thatched luxury chalets (each 80m²):
   1 bedroom
   Private deck
• Manager’s cottage (70m²):
   2 bedrooms
• Fishing guides’ cottage (100m²)
   2 bedrooms
• Staff village
   20 beds
   Staff area
• Stores, workshop, generator room, laundry (150m²)
• Solar powered (with a back-up generator)
• Fresh water from boreholes remotely situated
• Gas geysers 
• Boats: 
   2 x 31-foot full walkaround mono-hull sportfishers
   8 x tinnies with 15hp motors
   8 kayaks
• 2 x Landcruiser wagons