Arriving at Pemba Beach Hotel is to enter an exotic realm in an ancient land, where you may feel you are living the dream of adventures past and still to come. Representing a fusion of Arabic and African inspired influences, this Mozambique hotel impresses with its sweeping compilation of Arabian-inspired buildings, colonnades, turrets and archways sprawling over 100 acres.

You are spoilt for choice with accommodation at Pemba Beach Hotel, its 102 rooms, all with sea views and individual balconies, providing a truly sumptuous rendition of Mozambique east coast living. The Indian Ocean glitters beyond manicured lawns, whilst inside your room you are cosseted in a haven of rich furnishings, Persian rugs and marble-clad bathrooms.

Elegant small beach hotels are a rarity in Mozambique, but the Matemo Island Resort which is located off the Northern Mozambique coast is set to become one of the most popular African island holidays.

Getting there isn’t difficult, you fly into Pemba, and then take a light aircraft to Matemo.

You really do feel you are off the beaten track here, especially as this is a new resort, with absolutely pristine beaches, and a place to really do nothing but recover from a safari.

In terms of what it’s like, there are 24 rooms, on an island that is 8km long, and 3km wide, and whilst it doesn’t have the sophistication of the Maldives[yet], it does have the huge advantage that you can stay for a week, and not walk round it easily.

Matemo is one of the great romantic affordable honeymoon ideas, it’s unspoilt, unexplored, a paradise with miles of beautiful white sand beaches.

Pemba, is a coastal town at the mouth of the Pemba bay, the third biggest bay in the world. It boasts some interesting buildings (especially in Baixa – the old town) and a lively atmosphere. Most visitors come for the beaches – particularly Wimbi Beach and the coral reefs. Wimbi is about 5km (3mi) east of the town of Pemba. The reef is close enough to swim to. A fledgling tourist industry is already transforming the place with bars, restaurants, diving, snorkeling, boating, fishing, etc. The Makonde workshop on the road between town and the beach has good wooden carvings for sale at good prices.

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