Fatima's Nest is a great place to base yourself to experience all that the area has to offer. Tofo Beach has long been the big draw for travelers in Mozambique with its wide, clean, sandy beach and a plethora of water activities, not to mention the chance to see whales, dolphins, and whale sharks.
The Location
Tofo is a thirty-minute minibus ride from Inhambane, itself, reached by a thirty-minute ferry from Maxixe, the nearest big town on the north-south Highway One. Situated along a stretch of sand dunes right by the beach, this place oozes rustic charm with its thatched wooden chalets, huts, and its lively bar. It's just five minutes’ walk from the center of the village, the market, bus stop, dive shops, and a ten-step walk down the wooden steps from the bar to the beach. Fatima's has long been established on the backpacker route, due in part to its sister lodge in Maputo.
Rooms and Bathrooms
This large, walled property has a multitude of huts and chalets from which to choose. In fact, it can feel a little claustrophobic -- there are so many! The backpacker option are the dorms, of which there are four (ranging from six to fourteen beds). Each room comes with mosquito nets and fans and it's all reasonably clean, though the foam mattresses are a little cheap. The bed linen, however, comes at the cost of quite a hefty deposit. There are plenty of lockers and cupboard space, and the communal toilets and hot water showers are all kept pretty clean.
Common Spaces
The centerpiece of Fatima's is the large wooden bar/restaurant with that great view across the beach to the ocean just meters away. It boasts an extensive menu with a cocktail list. The prices are ok. Plenty of tables and chairs are provided. Evening Wi-Fi is free and there is a pool table. There is a sprinkling of hammocks and deck chairs around the grounds with a couple of sun decks by the bar. The communal kitchen is useful for self-caterers, but you'll need to bring all your own pots, pans, and utensils, as there are virtually none here.
Summary
All in all, this is pretty good value, as it sits mid-range in pricing and facilities. There is a little hard sell on tours here, but that's easy to brush off and do your own thing. There are plenty of dive shops and operators in the village. Fatima's also run their own minibus to Maputo every morning at 4 a.m., which takes you to their sister lodge Fatima's Place. A little more attention to detail would make this place stand out, but you won't go too wrong here. It's all about the location.
