Mozambique has for many years enjoyed popularity among South Africans as the perfect tropical holiday retreat for those wishing to escape from hectic, modern life. In the past such visits tended to be more from those 'roughing it' — backpacking, biking or staying in basic, simple accommodation.

Today, however, Mozambique is attracting the well-heeled at the upper end of the economic scale — those who share the desire to get away to an idyllic, unspoilt environment, but who also want to revel in ultimate luxury.

One of the most beautiful villas in the world

"Recently we're seeing heightened interest in Mozambique not only among South Africans but also the international market with a prime located, beachfront leisure home increasingly becoming a sought after acquisition among the moneyed set," says Tara Whiting, an agent for Pam Golding Properties' Signature Collection.

"PGP has just been awarded a mandate to market what is arguably the planet's ultimate tropical beach accommodation — 'Pambele', which is rated by Harpers Bazaar April 2008 as 'one of the most beautiful villas in the world' and the UK Sunday Times June 2008 as 'the most beautiful holiday home in the area, if not the country'. These accolades are hard to beat as this is rustic refinement at its very best," she says.

Located along the Indian Ocean coast on the northern tip of the San Sebastion Peninsula, Pambele is situated in a prime yet private position within the privately owned Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent to the Bazaruto Marine National Park.

Overlooking a magnificent natural beach, this residential property comprises 8426m² with buildings of 1350m² which comprise four luxurious thatched villas and a central building where bar, dining and living areas overlook a spectacular infinity pool. Raised wooden walkways, paths of broken seashells, beautiful gardens and abundant use of natural materials — including a dhow which serves as a bar — create a uniquely warm African ambience. There is outstanding attention to detail — stylish bedding, sumptuous furniture and sunken baths create the epitome of style in a truly unspoilt setting.

The villas can comfortably accommodate 10 adults and four children (or more) while the property includes a manager's house and staff village with a total staff complement of 17 as well as a boat house with a 40-foot motorised catamaran, 30-foot launch and 15-foot rib included.

The lodge is equipped with Toyota Hiluxes for airport transfers, bush drives and supplies, a 6x6 game viewer and a 4x4.

For GBP2.3-million the buyer also acquires co-ownership of the 30 000 hectare sanctuary

Says Whiting: "For the asking price of GBP2.3-million, the new owner of Pambele also acquires co-ownership of the 30 000 hectare sanctuary which is ranked among the top biodiversity hotspots in Africa and encompasses pristine bush, wetlands, mangrove swamps, coral reefs, small islands, freshwater lakes, estuarine lagoons, coastal dunes and saltpans. It has over 275 species of bird including large numbers of flamingos in season as well as pelicans, cormorants and herons. Surrounding marine life includes dolphins, turtles, the endangered dugong and humpback whales between July and November, while wildlife includes steenbok, duiker, baboons and vervet monkeys.

A programme of game reintroduction began with 20 zebra while giraffe, wildebeest and warthog will arrive later this year. An eco project which brings together foreign investors, pristine wilderness land and local community resources, the Sanctuary's objective is to preserve and protect an exceptional piece of coastal property by allowing only strictly controlled, light touch development as well as facilitating community upliftment through employment, business creation opportunities, health education and instruction in sustainable farming and fishing practices. Within the Sanctuary are just 54 sites in three locations where homeowners — who can best be described as a who's who list — can build private houses. However, many of the sites have been merged — Pambele itself comprises two sites — so the number of houses eventually built is likely to be closer to 30. To date eight have been constructed with six more expected to be completed in this year and next."

Whiting says Pambele is ideal either for an individual purchaser who acquires it for him or herself or an individual who then syndicates or fractionalises the ownership either among friends or professionally, or for purchase by a destination club which then uses the lodge among its members. "Essentially this is a private residential property, not a commercial property and while it can be rented out it has to be in its entirety, not per villa to different groups of people at the same time. While offering the ultimate in a luxury beach getaway, Pambele provides an opportunity for capital gain as nearby Vilanculos is expanding rapidly and capital values will increase.

Vilanculos is just 45 minutes by boat and lies at the gateway of the Bazaruto Archipelago — Mozambique's only underwater National Park. It's experiencing increasing tourism being just 90 minutes' flying time from Johannesburg and well placed to link into bush and beach travel itineraries. Vilanculos is also redeveloping its airport to accommodate 737 airliners.

Mozambique enjoys continued economic growth of between seven and 10 percent

"Mozambique has enjoyed continued economic growth of between seven and 10 percent in recent years and is now one of Africa's more stable nations, ranked as the world's 35th largest country. Tourism has become a multimillion dollar industry, increasing by 21 percent in 2007. In July 2006 the World Bank cancelled a large proportion of Mozambique's national debt allowing the government to concentrate more resources on developing this increasingly popular industry. And Mozambique plans to take full advantage of its budding tourism industry and proximity to South Africa during the forthcoming 2010 World Cup and host many of the fans attending this event," says Whiting.

Joop Demes, MD of Pam Golding Hospitality adds: "There is no doubt that Mozambique is rapidly closing the gap with the famous Indian Ocean destinations such as the Seychelles, the Maldives and Mauritius. Substantial investments are being made by large global players such as Dubai World and high net worth individuals such as Prince Alexander from the Netherlands. Vilanculos — together with its famous and nearby islands such as Benguerra and Bazaruto — rank in terms of beauty, popularity and access as a key and upcoming destination in South East Africa and the Indian Ocean. We are engaged with several projects in this area and the timing for investment could not be better."