Retzlaff Family.

Pat Retzlaff proudly traces his ancestry back to the Von Munchausen family and his grandfathers riding stable ‘ Uncle Toms Cabin’ in Berlin which produced several top Olympic horses. Due to political instability and Hitler’s rise to power the Retzlaff family left Pankow, Berlin for German East Africa in 1932. They bought a farm on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro called “Sauti Ya Simba”( Voice of the Lion).

Patrick Retzlaff spent his early years on the family farm learning to ride. When Tanzania gained independence the family moved to Rhodesia where Pat grew up and married Amanda Jane Whitefield. They raised three kids in Mashonaland where they farmed for over 25 years. The Retzlaff’s were forced to flee the country by Robert Mugabe and the political turmoil he was causing in Zimbabwe.

Vilanculos has an international airport with daily flights to and from Johannesburg, and regular flights from Durban, Maputo and Inhambane. There are also flights from other destinations such as Nelspruit, Beira, and Chimoio.

Guests will stay at this multi-chalet property with ocean views. There is a central area with a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Each chalet is well appointed with its own sea view and sleeps 4-8 people. They are extremely spacious at approx 180sq meters in floor size and constructed out of timber on a raised hardwood deck under thatched roof. It comprises: 2 main bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (shower, toilet and basin), and two beds on the mezzanine floor. The kitchen / lounge is open plan with a veranda that runs around the outside in the front of the chalet.

If you have any special dietary concerns please let me know well in advance

Medical: No vaccinations are required. You should bring along the following personal medication: insect and mosquito repellents, suntan and block out creams, Imodium, malaria tablets and antihistamine creams. If you have special medical conditions please let us know and make sure that you bring your own personal medication as it will be extremely difficult to find in Mozambique.
Malaria: The Bazaruto Archipelago is a malaria area. It is advisable to wear protective clothing such as long sleeve tops and long trousers in the evening, use mosquito repellent. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist about a suitable malaria prophylactic.
Visa: All visitors require visas, which can be obtained from the various consulates or on arrival in Mozambique. You will be liable for passenger tax, immigration tax and airport tax.

Our guests will be transferred from Vilanculos airport to Archipelago Sun in time for lunch. Pat & Mandy Retzlaff will settle you in and give you a brief introduction to Mozambique, Vilanculos and activities that can be done. You will enjoy an introductory ride that afternoon along the beach giving you a chance to become familiar with the horses and tack.

Early evening drinks will be served at the lodge followed by a fresh seafood dinner hosted by Patrick and Amanda.

We will take you over to the stables, mount up and set off on an exhilarating ride along deserted beaches and over high cliffs with panoramic scenes of the Bazaruto Archipelago. A picnic lunch will be served on the red cliffs with magnificent views of the bay, you will be fascinated by the changing colours of the water and there is always a chance of seeing dolphins. After a long day in the saddle a well deserved dinner will await you at the lodge.

Today we will set off on a long ride along the coast towards the Vilanculos Wildlife Sanctuary on the San Sebastian Peninsular. The area is covered with scattered lakes and wetlands interspersed with native woodland and mangrove forests. The local area is home to thousands of greater flamingos and has in the past served as a nesting ground for the rarer Lesser Flamingo. In the late afternoon we will catch the boat back to Vilanculos and leaves the horses to stay overnight with the grooms. In the evening we'll enjoy drinks around the bar and dinner at a lovely restaurant where they serve the famous Mozambican "Peri-Peri chicken"

We will jump onto the boat and head back towards the Vilanculos Wildlife Sanctuary. We need to leave early in the morning as we have many miles of sandy beach to cover before we reach our destination. Be prepared for long canters and dramatic scenery as the region boasts some of the richest biodiversity in Africa. The Vilanculos Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses a mosaic of wetlands, mangrove swamps, miombo woodland, salt marshes and freshwater lakes. The birdlife is astounding and we will encounter a variety of native birds.

Today you will experience the wonder of a traditional sailing dhow gliding through the Bazaruto Archipelago. The island of Benguerra is complete with azure waters, sandy beaches, palm trees and pristine coral reefs. The snorkelling is superb and will help you work up an appetite for a delicious picnic lunch on the beach. You are likely to spot whales, dolphins, turtles and the only viable dugong population remaining in this part of the world.

Today the riders can relax and unwind either choosing to spend the day sunbathing and swimming on the beach or for those who are looking for something a little more active, try scuba diving in the waters around the Bazaruto Archipelago. The archipelago's coral reefs and clear waters offer some of the best diving in the world, dive sites are uncrowded and marine life is varied and abundant.

The Vilanculos coastline possesses some of the most delightful landscapes in Mozambique. Today we will experience countless inland lakes, rugged cliffs, uninhabited bush and incredible beaches. Riding on horseback provides an exhilarating and a marvellous way of experiencing this fantastic scenery. We will visit the Coconut Palms and go for swims with the horses in several of the lakes.
Lunch will be served under the trees and after untacking the horses, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the lake. We will make our way home along the coastline with spectacular views from the cliff tops and white beaches.

A short early morning ride up the coast, inland up streams, following interesting spoor and quietly looking for elusive species of bird and wildlife amongst the hills and tall golden grass. Descend to the beach for a final brisk gallop before heading home to check out of Archipelago Sun at noon.