Built on stilts over a tidal estuary in the Imhambane area about an hour’s drive from the airport, the 20 water chalets of Flamingo Bay are unique along the East African coast - they’re huge too and make for the perfect honeymoon retreat! The chalets are quite simple but in a wonderfully stylish way, boasting lovely hardwood finishes and very welcome air-conditioning that will keep you comfortable in the heat. They are wonderful for honeymooners – especially given that no children under 12 are allowed at the resort! One thing you need to be aware of though is that when the tide goes out, the water disappears from below the villas – then you can take a stroll on the exposed sands and marvel at the thousands of tiny crabs scurrying about!

the water chalets are quite simple but in a wonderfully stylish way, boasting lovely hardwood finishes and very welcome air-conditioning that will keep you comfortable in the heat - they are wonderful for honeymooners!The water chalets are connected to the main public areas of the lodge by quite lengthy wooden walkways – in fact there are golf carts that are used to transport guests to and fro which are a real God-send! Once there you will find a gorgeous pool area where you can relax on a wooden lounger in the sun or head to the restaurant/bar area for a delicious meal or ice-cold beer or cocktail. And even better news is that because the lodge is located in the estuary and not on the beach, it looks west towards the setting sun – so you’re pretty much guaranteed some stunning and very romantic sunsets!

If your heart is simply set on relaxation and seclusion then there’s little reason to move a finger. However if the solitude gets too much for you, then you can head for the nearby sister lodge – Barra Lodge – where you can enjoy the lively bar and restaurant vibe there! (there are regular free transfers across from Flamingo Bay to Barra) Watersports are also a big feature here, especially the superb diving with some 14 dive spots on offer! Then there’s the excellent deep-sea fishing, catamaran trips, dhow cruises, boogie boarding in the waves of the bay, horse-riding along the beach and even quad biking through the coconut plantations!

After a busy day there’s nothing better than having a refreshing shower before making your way to the bar to enjoy a pre-dinner drink and a chat with fellow guests where you can compare notes about your days – note that Flamingo Bay is definitely Honeymoonville though, so if you’re not on a romantic break at the very least you might feel a bit out! The food at the lodge attracts near unanimous rave reviews from guests – dinners are usually a choice of starters and main courses, but make sure to spoil yourself at least once with the special seafood platter (the freshest fish, Mozambique’s famous prawns, calamari and lobster if you’re lucky!) In fact with all the delicious fare on offer you may just choose to skip the golf cart and instead walk back to your chalet every now and again just to keep your expanding waist-line in check!

The water chalets are hugely spacious and beautifully made from local hardwoods – and perfect for romantics and honeymooners!

Air-conditioning is a real plus, especially in the summer months when Mozambique can be fearsomely hot!

No children under 12 make it perfect for adults seeking peace, quiet and a atmosphere that oozes romance as opposed to rowdy kids

Plenty of activities on offer for the more active holidaymaker at the nearby sister resort, Barra Lodge

The dining experience at Flamingo Bay attracts consistent rave reviews – try the excellent seafood platter at least once!

This isn’t the Maldives so the chalets lie over a tidal estuary and not over the sea – so expect the sea to disappear from under your room at low tide

The lodge is not located on the beach itself (although there are regular free shuttles across to the main beach)

Could be too quiet for some people – especially if you don’t fancy being around loads of honeymooners staring lovingly into each other’s eyes!

The golf carts used to get around are welcome given the distances, but can be quite noisy on the wooden walkways