Like all great stories, it began with a dream, a flash of inspiration, and an almost impossible idea. The history of Colina Verde is the result of many hands and minds working together.
All materials were carefully transported by sail dhow from Maputo, and many artisans and other professionals left their mark on this beautiful home. Across continents and languages, it’s a triumph of teamwork and determination.
Its proud owners built a home in the remote coastal forest that could be shared by many and that would benefit the community of Machangulo.
Colina Verde is a large beachfront retreat on the Machangulo Peninsula in southern Mozambique, designed for friends and families to reconnect and relax, while enjoying a personalized African beach vacation experience immersed in a pristine natural environment.
Nestled in the ancient sand dunes of the Indian Ocean coast, this exceptionally designed 7-bedroom home is available for exclusive rental for groups of up to 18 guests.
Designed by restorative architects with careful consideration of the heritage forest environment, this sprawling 2,118 square meter property is unique in that it cleverly combines all rooms under a sloping roof.
Each room is different and individually decorated with soft textures and color palettes intertwined with a subtle African aesthetic. The rooms surround their 16-meter oval heated pool, overlooking the ocean. Each room at Colina Verde has a unique design:
Dolphin Room: Inspired by the ocean, it offers a Queen Size bed, indoor shower and wicker chairs on the terrace. (23.92 m²)
Elephant Room: The largest, with sunrise and sunset views, a Super King bed surrounded by white curtains, and a bathroom with a sunken stone tub and outdoor shower. (40.21 m²)
Mono Room: View of the valley of the southern dunes, with a King Size bed, copper bathtub, double shower and a bunk bed for children in the mezzanine. (38.23 m²)
Turtle Room: View of the dune forest, with a king size mangrove bed and an outdoor shower. (30.62 m²)
Inhaca Room: Located in the forest, it offers a four-poster Super King bed, walk-in closet, fireplace, and safari-style copper bathtub. (62.49 m²)
Whale Room: Ocean view, King Size bed, bathtub with view and outdoor shower. (62.71 m²)
Hippopotamus Room: Children’s dormitory-type bedroom with four double beds distributed on two levels, bathroom with free-standing bathtub and shower. (62.71 m²)
The villa has spacious interior areas, including a living room with fireplace, dining room, study and games room. There are also cosy corners to read a book or contemplate the sea. The outdoor terraces allow guests to relax with a drink, sunbathe, and listen to the sound of the waves.
To complement the adventurous design, Colina Verde offers a full range of in-house experiences to showcase the environmentally protected location in harmony with local conservation and community development. From lazy strolls along empty beaches to the adrenaline rush of catching your own fish for dinner, guests are personally greeted and guided throughout their stay with meticulous attention dedicated to creating tailor-made experiences for each and every group.
Fat bike rides on the beach, dhow sailing in the afternoon, whale watching, day trips to the neighboring Maputo Special Reserve (one of the only places in the world where guests have the possibility to see elephants and whales in the same day) and Inhaca Island, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, Tennis and kayaking are just a few of the adventures on offer, as well as deeply relaxing spa treatments or rejuvenating yoga overlooking the rolling waves and humpback whales that surface.
Machangulo Beach is an important nesting area for leatherback and hawksbill turtles. The Maputo Special Reserve is also home to up to 400 elephants and introduced species such as cheetahs, buffalo, and antelope and the spectacular humpback whales that can be seen from July to November during their annual migration.
Deep-sea fishing is a specialty of Colina Verde. The house has its own 27 foot fishing boat and an in-house expert guide. With a wide variety of fish species to fish for year-round, including the prized giant jack mackerel, enthusiastic anglers and curious beginners alike can have a thrilling experience on a short boat trip from the house. Colina Verde is actively involved in local marine conservation and guests can contribute by tagging the fish they catch as part of an ORI migration study or participating in the top predator acoustic tagging program.
Colina Verde is an ideal place to celebrate important birthdays or family gatherings. Indulgent lunches in picturesque locations at home or on the beach and intimate dinners by the light of lanterns are always wonderfully memorable. Our style of cuisine is relaxed with an emphasis on delicious, locally sourced dishes that nourish the body and soul, complemented by a wine list curated from South Africa’s finest vineyards. As a family-friendly destination, children are catered for with special menus and flexible meal times and are invited to help the chefs with pastries in the kitchen if they are inspired by the endless and delicious selection of pastries.
A place where memories are made and hearts are filled, Colina Verde welcomes guests all year round.