Visagie World Charters and The Island Lodge

Quirimbas Archipelago with its 32 islands The archipelago was mentioned in Arab writings in the 8th century. The Portuguese arrived in the Archipelago in the beginning of the l6th century. When the Portuguese lost the domination over the Northern East African coast and the sea route to India in the 17th century they were in search of new ports to sustain the trade on the Mozambican coast. The

Quirimba archipelago became one of them. The islands were at the height of importance in the beginning of the 18th century when the French were looking for slaves on the Mozambican coast. The islands then had annual commercial connection with the Mozambique island. Initially the Quirimba island was the capital of the archipelago, but due to attacks from the Arab sultanate of Zanzibar, the capital was moved to the Ibo island. Ibo gained Statua as small town (villa) in 1753.

The Quirimbas Archipelago consists of 32 islands, including historic Ibo Island, the most visited due to its fascinating history and beautiful old buildings. This is where Vasco da Gama rested in 1502. Ibo was a major trading centre for ivory and slaves in previous centuries when Arabs controlled Africa’s East Coast. Ibo's 200-year-old ghost town and 16th Century forts make for a fascinating journey to an era long forgotten. Ibo later became a Portuguese colony. Three forts, a cathedral, and numerous palatial homes once graced the town. The main fort, a magnificent example of Portuguese architecture in the 1800’s. It is constructed in the form of a pentagon and overlooks the entrance to the harbour and was built to protect Portuguese Mozambique from the French Comores to the East. Ancient cannons still grace the ramparts, though the fort is now inhabited by silversmiths who make jewellery using ancient Arab techniques and tools — blowpipes, charcoal, lemon juice, and tiny metal files. They melt down old nickel coins using very rudimentary methods to create delicate silver bracelets and pendants. This offer unique mementos of a very special place in Africa. Ibo itself remains a bustling local centre and worth visiting.

Quirimba Island, South of Ibo and the island Matemo to the North bears the most important historical testimony. Initially Quirimba island was the Capital of the Archipelago, but due to attacks from the Arab sultanate of Zanzibar, the capital was moved to Ibo island. On Quirimba Island the Gessner family have lived since 1936.

Joachim Gessner's father arrived in Africa from Germany in 1922 and discovered Quirimba soon after. The plantation has a private airfield, big enough for a King Air. At Low tide, Quirimba Island is linked to Ibo by a narrow sandpit. The family moved onto Quirimba to settle and created a coconut plantation which they continue to farm to this day.

This Island belongs to Martin Visagie and is our preferred Island. Sito Virgin Island is still under construction and will have 12 Chalets, a Big Bar and Restaurant area. Sito has got beautiful white beaches and the Chalets are very close to the beach, in fact a couple of meters away from high tide. This Island has it ALL: Privacy, very interesting walking trails with lots of bird life, small game and rainforest with huge Baobab trees for the nature lover. This is the place to be when the sun sets over the ocean. It is a site to appreciate with the background music of the Fish eagle and then you realize you are in Africa.