The Monarch Villa

Mozambique

About

The Monarch Villa is not only named for its royal heritage, but also for the monarch butterfly that is found in the area.
It is befitting of its name as it offers guests a royal experience; from the luxurious rooms, attention to detail and personalised guest experiences, to staff at your beck and call.

The villa was built as a private residence, and as such has a
grandiose master suite, adjacent to two smaller rooms, ideal for families or small groups. Also in the main house, you’ll find the library, lounges, and dining areas, where groups congregate for relaxation or meals.

The remainder of the other suites are set apart from the main house, providing guests with peace and privacy. All suites have access to the pool area.

Owing to its location within the natural dune forests, the villa is laid out on different levels. The individual areas are linked by decked walkways and stairs.

The East African style ensures that the villa offers supreme luxury and comfort, and a true African experience.

Location

Situated on the Machangulo Peninsula in southern Mozambique, it is ideally located for same-day transfers from the capital of Maputo. The Monarch Villa is one of 15 private villas in the Machangulo Private Reserve, where complete privacy and intimacy is ensured.

The private reserve features one of the few remaining natural dune forests in the world and forms part of the greater Maputo Special Reserve.

The closest village is Santa Maria on the western side of the peninsula, around a 30-minute drive from the villa. In Santa Maria guests can experience local village life, but it has very limited shopping options so guests should ensure they pack all necessities.

Property Info

The Monarch can sleep a maximum of 14 guests. For intimate private events, we can host up to 20 guests. All events need to be pre-arranged with management upon booking.

True to African building tradition, the entire villa has a thatch roof, with double volume space making it light and airy. There are no air conditioning units in the rooms but each room has a large ceiling fan and all the beds have large mosquito nets covering the entire bed space. The constant, refreshing Indian Ocean breeze ensures that the rooms are always well-ventilated.

There is a large communal lounge with spectacular views over the Indian ocean and there is also a smaller, private lounge and library should guests like to cozy up with a book.
The large dining room can seat up to 20 guests and the deck joining the dining room through glass stack doors, has an outdoor dining area, seating 16 people. The deck wraps around most of the property and has various seating areas allowing guests to savour the views at any time of the day.

The King Suite is at the furthest end of the main house, giving it utmost privacy. It is adjacent to the billiards room and also has a private side entrance, private lounge and library with dedicated work space, and a large deck overlooking the ocean, with deck chairs and a seating area.

Apart from an oversized king bed, the suite has a large bathroom with double basins, a bath tub, dressing room plus indoor and outdoor showers.

There is a mini bar stocked with water and milk, and a coffee & tea station.

Rooms 1 & 2 are also in the main house, close to the King Suite. Both are twin, that can convert to king, and has an en-suite; one with a bath tub and one with a shower. The rooms have large glass doors leading out onto the oceanside viewing deck.

The Forest Suite is separate from the main house, connected with a wooden deck passing under a beautiful canopy of trees. The suite has a large private lounge, with two day beds that can be used as two twin beds for families. The bedroom has a comfortable king bed with a small dressing room, ample cupboard space, en-suite bathroom, featuring double basins, bath tub plus indoor and outdoor showers.

Both the bedroom and the lounge area has large glass stack doors leading out onto a private deck with seating areas. The Forest Suite also has a dedicated work space and coffee & tea station.

The Pool Suites are, as the name implies, close to the pool area. There are two pool suites, each with twin beds that can convert to king.

These spacious suites each have ample cupboard space, a dedicated work space, coffee & tea station and access to a private deck through large glass stack doors. One suite has a bath and shower, and the other only a shower.

The pool is easily accessible by a wooden deck, and has a large outdoor dining area, bar fridge, toilet facilities, outdoor shower and a braai with pizza oven, ensuring guests would never want to leave!

A portion of the pool is shaded from the strong African sun by a reed pergola, allowing you to spend an entire lazy day at the pool. On good weather days, lunch or dinner can be served by the pool area.

Staff

The Monarch Villa has a full staff complement, consisting of two chefs, a security guard and a team of cleaners, servers and groundsmen. Antonio is our house manager and concierge, who can assist guests with any requests and questions they might have.

To book day excursions, including snorkeling, Inhaca Island trips, SCUBA diving, deep sea fishing and many other activities, please speak to Antonio.

Two massage therapists are available for basic massage treatments, which we can offer as an in-room service, on the pool deck, or in the private library.

Amenities

Rooms
Ensuite with reef-friendly bathroom products
300-thread count linen
Coffee & tea stations
Ocean views
Dressing gowns
Fan
Hairdryer
Mosquito nets


Villa

Meals and house beverages in select packages
Games room with billiards, darts & board games
Private library
Honesty bar
Lounge
Ocean views
Decks
Laundry service
Free parking
Firepit
BBQ facilities
Pizza oven
Library
Communal dining
Massage treatments
Outdoor pool
Pool bar

Meals & Beverages

All our rates are full board and include breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as pre-dinner canapés or snacks. All local beers and soft drinks are complimentary, and wines and spirits are available from our honesty bar.

It is up to you to inform us in advance of your dietary requirements, food allergies or any food you don’t eat. We try our best to cater to everyone’s dietary requirements but we rely on the information you provide in advance, so we can be as prepared as possible.

Due to remote locations, we will not be able to cater for very strict alternative or religious diets without being informed in advance.

Beach Access

The beach is accessible from The Monarch Villa, however, as it is set high on the natural dunes, the walk descends a sand dune. Young children and the physically impaired may find it a bit challenging. Our house 4X4 vehicle and driver will be on hand to drive guests to the best beach areas, should you not wish to traverse the dunes.

Activities

Santa Maria: The heart of Machangulo, Santa Maria is the only village on the peninsula and is a hub of cultural activity. The best spot to visit is certainly Bemugi’s Bar & Restaurant. The sunset bar of Bemugi’s is an ideal place to enjoy the vista over the bay towards Maputo, and Bemugi’s has a great restaurant and bar, should guests wish to enjoy a social day out. Day trips to Santa Maria can be arranged with our concierge.

Inhaca Island: A short 10 minute boat ride away from Santa Maria is the picturesque Inhaca Island. Here, guests can explore the island, visit the town on the island’s northern side to experience local life, visit the historic lighthouse, or simply enjoy a leisurely day on the pristine beaches of southern Inhaca, where we can arrange picnics for guests. Inhaca is the ideal place for snorkeling, kayaking, SUP, or a selection of other water sports. It is also very safe for kids to play, as the quiet bay has no waves, and many guests have been fortunate to see the resident loggerhead turtles swimming by.

Deep sea fishing: Our concierge can arrange a deep sea fishing day trip, however, the beaches in front of the villa offer an ideal spot for angling.

Hiking: The pristine, unspoilt beaches are perfect for hiking. There is a long stretch of uninhabited coastline and guests can walk for miles without seeing another person. From The Monarch, it is a 7km walk along the beach to Santa Maria on the other side of the peninsula, for our more adventurous
guests. Please always inform our concierge if you are planning on taking a walk or would like to be picked up somewhere, and ensure you take enough water and sunscreen. There is no cellphone reception along most of the coast, making it difficult to locate guests, should the need arise.

Transfers

The Monarch is accessible by road, sea or air. Our staff can collect guests at Maputo Airport and from there, either drive to the property through the spectacular Maputo Elephant Reserve (approx. 5-hour drive from Maputo) or hop on our private boat at the harbour to cross Maputo Bay.

All our vehicles have the necessary permits and insurances.
Guests should note that there is a high chance of having to wade through the shallow waters at Santa Maria when they disembark. The boat ride is approximately 1-hour, and the car journey to The Monarch Villa will take another 20-minutes.

Alternatively, guests can charter a private plane or helicopter from Maputo Airport and fly direct to the Machangulo Private Airfield, a 20-minute drive from The Monarch Villa.

Our travel team can arrange all flights and transfers. All our guests need to do is choose their preference and show up!

What to pack

  • Hats, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
  • Shorts and light clothing – even in winter months the weather can get warm in the daytime
  • Jerseys and warm clothes. In winter, mornings can be cool, warming up by midday, but, even in summer, it can be cooler in the early mornings and late evenings.
  • Rain jacket during the wet season (November – March)
  • Sandals (plus closed shoes if intending to take part in walking activities)

Wifi & Accessibility

One of The Monarch’s most alluring features is that it’s in a remote area, offering discretion for our guests. However, this also leads to our network connectivity being limited from time to time.

The main areas in the house (lounge, library, deck and dining areas) as well as the Master Suite, have great local mobile networks, or roaming data, reception.

Free WiFi is available in the lounges and dining areas.

The Monarch Villa Rates

2023 RatesRoom TypeRate
SINGLE RATE MAIN HOUSE : 3 en-suite rooms, sleeps 6US$2,400
PER ROOM SHARINGMAIN HOUSE : 3 en-suite rooms, sleeps 6US$2,400
SINGLE RATE MAIN HOUSE : King Suite (King) US$800
PER ROOM SHARINGMAIN HOUSE : King Suite (King) US$800
CHILD (0 -12)MAIN HOUSE : King Suite (King) US$200
SINGLE RATE MAIN HOUSE :Room 1 (King or Twin) US$800
PER ROOM SHARINGMAIN HOUSE :Room 1 (King or Twin) US$800
CHILD (0 -12)MAIN HOUSE :Room 1 (King or Twin) US$200
SINGLE RATE MAIN HOUSE :Room 2 (King or Twin) US$800
PER ROOM SHARINGMAIN HOUSE :Room 2 (King or Twin) US$800
CHILD (0 -12)MAIN HOUSE :Room 2 (King or Twin) US$200
SINGLE RATE FOREST SUITE - 1 x king, 1 x twin US$800
PER ROOM SHARINGFOREST SUITE - 1 x king, 1 x twin US$800
PER EXTRA PERSONFOREST SUITE - 1 x king, 1 x twin US$400
CHILD (0 -12)FOREST SUITE - 1 x king, 1 x twin US$200
SINGLE RATE POOL SUITE (King or Twin) US$800
PER ROOM SHARINGPOOL SUITE (King or Twin) US$800
CHILD (0 -12)POOL SUITE (King or Twin) US$200
SINGLE RATE ENTIRE VILLA - Sleeps 12 (6 rooms) US$5,600
PER ROOM SHARINGENTIRE VILLA - Sleeps 12 (6 rooms) US$5,600
2024 RatesRoom TypeRate
SINGLE RATE MAIN HOUSE : 3 en-suite rooms, sleeps 6US$2,640
PER ROOM SHARINGMAIN HOUSE : 3 en-suite rooms, sleeps 6US$2,640
SINGLE RATE MAIN HOUSE : King Suite (King) US$820
PER ROOM SHARINGMAIN HOUSE : King Suite (King) US$820
CHILD (0 -12)MAIN HOUSE : King Suite (King) US$820
SINGLE RATE MAIN HOUSE :Room 1 (King or Twin) US$880
PER ROOM SHARINGMAIN HOUSE :Room 1 (King or Twin) US$880
CHILD (0 -12)MAIN HOUSE :Room 1 (King or Twin) US$220
SINGLE RATE MAIN HOUSE :Room 2 (King or Twin) US$880
PER ROOM SHARINGMAIN HOUSE :Room 2 (King or Twin) US$880
CHILD (0 -12)MAIN HOUSE :Room 2 (King or Twin) US$220
SINGLE RATE FOREST SUITE - 1 x king, 1 x twin US$880
PER ROOM SHARINGFOREST SUITE - 1 x king, 1 x twin US$880
PER EXTRA PERSONFOREST SUITE - 1 x king, 1 x twin US$440
CHILD (0 -12)FOREST SUITE - 1 x king, 1 x twin US$220
SINGLE RATE POOL SUITE (King or Twin) US$880
PER ROOM SHARINGPOOL SUITE (King or Twin) US$880
CHILD (0 -12)POOL SUITE (King or Twin) US$220
SINGLE RATE ENTIRE VILLA - Sleeps 12 (6 rooms) US$6,160
PER ROOM SHARINGENTIRE VILLA - Sleeps 12 (6 rooms) US$6,160

Rates include:

  • Luxury en-suite accommodation
  • All meals
  • Local beers and soft drinks


Rates exclude:

  • Wines, spirits and premium drinks
  • Laundry
  • Tours and activities
  • Flights and/or transport and transfer bookings

 

Child Policy:

  • Children of all ages are welcome
  • Subject to rooms available at time of booking
  • Children under 2 years are accommodated in a cot free of charge
  • Children 2 – 11 years pay 50% of quoted rate

 

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