House Marape
Mozambique
Surrender to the rhythm that is House Marape, for a reimagined safari, where nature dictates the pace and time dissolves into whispering tides at the southern gateway to the wild Bazaruto Archipelago.

A Safari Written by the Sea
To arrive at House Marape, is to unlock the rare luxury of simply being, to surrender fully. Here, the wilderness doesn’t roar, it breathes. It whispers quietly from dune to mangrove, from tidal channel to open ocean, enfolding you in its patient, unhurried rhythm that is unique to the southern shores of Vilankulos.
Set within the protected Vilankulos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary, House Marape redefines safari. This is not a journey across plains but rather a coastal safari that embodies the best of what Africa has to offer, from horizons that shimmer in the shades of turquoise to tides that dictate the day. A marine safari where dhows replace safari vehicles and coral reefs become living viewing decks that reveal dolphins, dugongs and a kaleidoscope of reef life.
Five private villas, crafted for your exclusive use, are linked only by wooden walkways that wind gently through the coastal vegetation. Designed to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, each villa reflects an unassuming yet sophisticated design, carefully curated with input and artistry from the local villagers – simple, grounded and deeply connected to this place.
In this sacred meeting of land and sea where the ocean guides your every experience, there are no fixed schedules or formalities. Simply a freedom to shape your own rhythm with ocean safaris, island explorations, fishing expeditions or moments of stillness beneath vast African skies.
At House Marape, safari is reimagined – quieter, wilder and more elemental. A safari written by the sea.
Location
At the southern gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, the coastline of Vilankulos, Mozambique gives way to a wilder rhythm, beckoning travellers into the spirit of a coastal safari shaped by both land and sea.
Mangrove channels slip quietly into the open ocean, while coral reefs glow beneath clear turquoise water, and the call of flamingos carries across tidal flats at dusk.
House Marape rests within the protected Vilankulos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary, on the remote edge of the San Sebastian Peninsula. Here, one of Mozambique’s last populations of dugongs drift freely through sheltered waters while traditional fishing villages punctuate the stillness of the night air.
Reaching House Marape is part of the journey – a short 10-minute road transfer from Vilankulos airport with a 45-minute boat transfer from the harbour, or a short helicopter flight across the archipelago’s shimmering channels, where arrival marks the beginning of an ocean safari reimagined by the sea.
Accommodation AT HOUSE MARAPE
At House Marape, privacy unfolds naturally across five secluded villas and a central lodge – a private, exclusive-use retreat shaped by the surrounding landscape.
Wooden walkways wind gently through coastal vegetation, connecting the five villas to the heart of the house where dining, conversation and quiet moments unfold beneath open skies.
Mornings awaken gently with coffee or tea and freshly baked rusks delivered to your villa, or lingering beside the pool as the horizon brightens. Evenings follow a similar rhythm, settling into candlelit dinners as dusk softens over the sea.
Architecture here is intentionally understated, crafted from local materials by skilled Vilankulos artisans; simple, thoughtful spaces where the luxury lies not in excess, but in the calm cadence of a safari reimagined in a life by the ocean.
Environment
House Marape is situated within one of Mozambique’s most remarkable coastal ecosystems, a meeting place of sand dunes, mangrove forests and vibrant marine life.
Along the shorelines of the San Sebastian Peninsula, dolphins trace the tides, turtles nest 0n undisturbed beaches and rare dugongs move through protected waters. Bird-life flourishes here too, with flamingos, pelicans and hundreds of other species finding refuge within this extraordinary landscape.
Life at Marape honours this fragile environment. Entirely solar powered and built from locally sourced materials, the lodge works with natural airflow rather than against it. Reclaimed timber, natural stone and artisanal craftsmanship allow it to blend gently into the surrounding vegetation.
Here, conservation is not an idea – it is simply the way moments linger within this marine safari landscape.
Room Types
Suites
Private decks open to tranquil views, some stretching towards glimpses of the ocean, while outdoor showers invite moments beneath star-filled African skies. Inside, king-size beds dressed in crisp white linen and draped with mosquito nets promise restful sleep, cooled by gentle ceiling fans and the soft movement of sea air.
Interiors embrace a gentle simplicity; stone-toned floors, natural woods, handcrafted furniture and subtle Mozambican artistry create a sense of place. Spacious bathrooms feature double basins, deep baths and natural textures that echo the landscape beyond the walls.
Nothing here competes with the beauty outside – each villa a space to pause, breathe and simply be.
Local Attractions
At House Marape, each day unfolds at its own pace – shaped not by schedules, but by the tides.
This is a coastal safari, where traditional dhows replace safari vehicles and the ocean becomes the landscape of exploration. Guests may snorkel vibrant coral reefs, set out on fishing expeditions, canoe through quiet channels or venture into the Bazaruto Archipelago on guided ocean safaris.
Some days drift into gentle adventure, diving or snorkelling through clear, sunlit waters where turtles glide and shoals of fish move through kaleidoscopic coral reefs. Others settle into stillness with unhurried beach walks, on a sanctuary safari or kayaking through mangroves, where flamingos gather in the shallows and pelicans, kingfishers and other coastal species explore this rich coastal sanctuary.
Picnics on remote sandbanks and sunset drinks at the far edge of the peninsula complete days influenced only by nature’s quiet rhythm.
THE MARAPE EXPERIENCE
Life at House Marape moves to the quiet rhythm of the coast — shaped by tides, light and the gentle rituals of each day. There are no fixed itineraries and no formal schedules. Instead, guests settle into a slower cadence where each moment unfolds naturally, guided by the ocean and the freedom to simply be.
At the heart of this experience is the warmth of the Marape team. Drawn from nearby villages, they bring with them a deep understanding of the land and sea that surrounds the sanctuary. Their hospitality is instinctive and sincere – less about service and more about shared belonging, where stories, laughter and local knowledge flow as easily as the tides beyond the dunes.
Dining at House Marape reflects this same spirit of ease and authenticity. Meals are relaxed, often shared, and inspired by the flavours of Mozambique’s coast, gently infused with Portuguese influences. Fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients take centre stage, with the daily catch and locally sourced produce guiding a menu that evolves from day to day.
There are no fixed menus; instead, simple, generous dishes are thoughtfully prepared by the chef in response to what is best in the moment and to guest preferences.
Served family-style around a communal table or beneath open skies, each meal becomes a sociable, unhurried experience where conversation lingers long into the evening.
Guests are encouraged to feel entirely at home – the space is yours to settle into as you wish. The bar is open and unassuming, inviting you to pour a drink as the sun sets, just as you would in your own home. There is a quiet trust and ease in this experience of helping yourself at whim, shaping a sense of freedom that carries through each day.
It is this quiet intimacy; the meeting of place, people and ocean that defines the Marape experience. A private retreat where luxury reveals itself not through excess, but through the rare freedom to live fully in the moment.
5 Villa Suites
Occupancy
1 – 4 Guests
5 – 10 Guests per person
– Children 10 – 11 yrs
Levy
5 Villa Suites – Exclusive Use
Rate
US$ 1,900 Base rate per Night
US$ 475 Per Night Sharing
US$ 356 Per Child Per Night (1 additional bed per Villa)
US$ 25 Per Person Per Night
House Marape is sold on an exclusive use basis, with a minimum base rate applicable, regardless of number of guest’s booked. Minimum of 4 night stay.
Includes:
• Transfer from Airport to Harbour
• Boat Transfer from Harbour pick-up point to House Marape
• All meals and snacks
• Selected local wines, beers & spirits
• Weather-dependent activities: Sanctuary Safari, dhow sunset sail, picnic & snorkelling at 2 Mile and kayaking
All rates Exclude:
• Imported/top-shelf drinks, wines, and bubbly.
• Optional activities (availability & pricing on request): Deep-sea fishing, Helicopter flips, Town trips with guide & curio shopping, Scuba diving
Payment Terms:
- A 30% deposit required to confirm your reservation, a secure payment link will be sent along with the Reservation Confirmation.
- Balance of payment is required 45 days prior to arrival.
- Full payment is required for all bookings made within 45 days of arrival.
- Payment to be made in USD
- Guests passport details and information is required 30 days prior to arrival.
Dietary Notice:
- Due to kitchen limitations, the property cannot safely accommodate
- Celiac / gluten-intolerant guests requiring sterilized environments
- Strict kosher requirements
- Severe nut allergies
Children’s Policy:
- Children 10 years and over welcome.
- 1 Child sharing with 2 adults per Villa, accommodated on a roll-away bed (10 – 13 yrs)
LODGE & Room RATES
1 NOVEMBER 2025 – 31 DECEMBER 2026
House Marape is sold on an exclusive use basis, with a minimum base rate applicable, regardless of number of guest’s booked. Minimum of 4 night stay.
Includes:
• Transfer from Airport to Harbour
• Boat Transfer from Harbour pick-up point to House Marape
• All meals and snacks
• Selected local wines, beers & spirits
• Weather-dependent activities: Game drives, dhow sunset sail, picnic & snorkelling at 2 Mile, kayaking
All rates Exclude:
• Imported/top-shelf drinks, wines, and bubbly.
• Optional activities (availability & pricing on request): Deep-sea Fishing. Helicopter Flips. Town Trips, with a guide & curio shopping. Scuba Diving
Payment Terms:
- A 30% deposit required to confirm your reservation, a secure payment link will be sent along with the Reservation Confirmation.
- Balance of payment is required 45 days prior to arrival.
- Full payment is required for all bookings made within 45 days of arrival.
- Payment to be made in USD
- Guests passport details and information is required 30 days prior to arrival.
Dietary Notice:
- Due to kitchen limitations, the property cannot safely accommodate
- Celiac / gluten-intolerant guests requiring sterilized environments
- Strict kosher requirements
- Severe nut allergies
Children’s Policy:
- Children 10 years and over welcome.
- 1 Child sharing with 2 adults per Villa, accommodated on a roll-away bed (10 – 13 yrs)