Rio Azul Lodge Mozambique

Absolute Disgrace - Stay Away!

Absolute horrific experience and never to be recommended. Lodge is run like a family private lodge with John's Family taking preference at all times over guests. Returning guests and buddies of Mark (GM) and John ***ner) also gets preferential treatment in the form of boat cruises, island visits. Absolutely no consistency in the manner how guests are treated. Some guest's kids are provided snacks during the day yet ours not and never offered. Some other guests kids get offered a tube ride behind the boat, when asking Mark about this, he states he does not charge a fee, as long as the owner is not on site. Where is the integrity? Lodge advertises a small estuary boat for each unit and all-inclusive other than premium international spirts. Total lies and **** advertising! After discovering that there are not enough of these estuary boats, we booked the use of these boats with a clear agreement with the General Manager Mark made the night before. With fishing rods, cooler box all prepared the night before and with my son excited and up and ready at 5:00am, 1st disappointment strikes us, as no boat was available, as the owner's son & other family member decided to take our boat, with the fishing rods and cooler also nowhere to be found. John's niece then tries rectifying the matter with all sorts of lies and stories - trying to convince us that they will get another boat ready not realizing that I have already personally spoken to the boathouse staff - with all of them not recommending the use of another motor, stating its unsafe for use. (What cheek to try and send me and my family out to sea on an unsafe motor). Following the above, Mark the GM makes a very poor, lazy yet arrogant gesture & statement to myself ordering me out of the pool to offer his apology - stating to me "Come and see me in my office" as if I am a scholar summoned to the principal's office. John the owner later then acknowledges that they dont have enough motors in good safe working condition - blaming the arrival of parts being delayed by most recent protest actions. Did they not know the lodge will be having higher occupancy over December? John the owner offers a trip to one of the islands at no costs as a gesture to make up for their mess, with another staff member (Stuart - the skipper) having also offered to take us out for a fishing experience. Following up on this the next day - Mark the GM states to me the trip to the Island will have to be paid for. How if John the owner has committed to such? Second set back Dinner (simple crayfish BBQ) meant for 19h00, is served only at 21h00, with crayfish on the BBQ for over an hour. Mark the GM providing the excuse that a new braai was used for the first time. (Only to be repeated again 5 nights later for a second time - with kids left hungry and some of the other guests left to return to the rooms). Mark then tries to send food to rooms. Owner John however had a problem with my son opting for something off the menu which was kindly offered by his staff every day with the waiters initiating this conversation with us daily. Owner John however arrogantly requests from me to only address our requests to the management of the lodge - but when and where as they are never present!? Mark the GM sits on the bench outside of his office all day. Menu is very limited with fish and chicken served most of the time following a buffet style serving (and for good reason as the fish being caught by guests are then offered at night for dinner - nice way to save on the expenses). Third set back Throughout our first few days, the lodge experienced electricity issues with electricity tripping - this when no aircons are provided in the units so cheap flea market standing fans which is all you have becomes essential for use in the heat. Standing fans extension cords are joint with insulation tape, some working, others mounted on the wall of units are not even working. Our privacy was rudely interrupted by John the owner as he simply bashes into our unit as part of their search for the electrical fault. No decency whatsoever. Staff of lodge carries the GM as he is hardly to be seen or present and carries himself with a very poor attitude, same for John the owner. The GM never really came to check up on us throughout our stay. Offers his returning guests sunset cruises, booze cruises etc. Had to hear from other guests staying at the same time, that they were taken out by boat to one of the islands on their arrival. Asking Mark the GM about this, various promises were made - "but just wait until John the owner is gone". Such trip was never delivered as this was only offered while Johns family was on the lodge. Family of the owner lies around all over the lodge and in particular on the couches with slip slops, clothing items etc lying everywhere on and around dirty lounge sets carrying revolting smell of sweat! Probably never cleaned in years. Single TV at the main lodge is then also used for John's family netflix movies - with no attention given to what age group is in and around the lounge. Lodge does not have WIFI,or working WIFI! Not one day could we have connection with Mark the owner making remarks to returning guests that its probably someone streaming adult content. Two small pocket routers available but worth nothing. On one of the other days, having again booked one of the estuary boats (as a roster was now introduced :-) another gentleman Charles, introduces as Mark the GM's help, bluntly turns to the boathouse staff and orders the worker (Andries) to not offer me and my family one of these boats again! Listening to the manner in which Mark the GM then addresses his staff, a very evident discriminating & racial tone is present. I feel terribly sorry for the staff at this lodge. Mario (barman), Jeremai & Carlos (waiters) excellent, same for the head chef (James) and other staff of the lodge. Deciding that we are to leave the lodge (4 days earlier than original booking), and making contact with John the owner, he at first bluntly refuses to consider compensation for our financial loss, arrogantly telling me that I can forget it. On second occasion, he then is prepared to offer credit, very aggresively yelling at me "Be my guest!" A day later on the advice from Mark (GM) to consider leaving Mozambique due to political protest unrest actions intensifying; Mark and I discuss the flight times and come to an agreement that a transfer can be arranged for us to depart, with the commitment offered that a pickup/transfer will be available for us at 10h00 on the morning of 24th December. Having packed and sitting ready awaiting our transfer at 9h40am, such transfer never materialized and such service was never rendered at 11h00. With one of the lodge vehicle present and which can be used to get us to the airport, I asked the question to Mark the GM, can this vehicle not take us as clearly the transfer is not happening, Marks answer to me was that the vehicle exhaust is lose and it has a mechanical problem. Thus the above resulting in myself canceling the plan to fly out of Mozambique for the set day, as there was no way we would make the flight in time, so we as family agreed to stay one further night, but guess what - No more housekeeping for our room was offered. Having made the next agreement with Mark (GM) to depart the next morning (Christmas Day) getting into the vehicle at 6h00am to depart, here comes the big surprize and absolute worst. Mark the GM has a instruction from the owner that our bill needs to be settled in full. What bill I ask myself?? We then have credit?? Turns out we have to pay for all our beverages / drinks consumed during our stay - , the transfer of the previous day which never materialized, as well as for the fuel used for our boat trips - "OTHERWISE THE CAR WONT START!" in the words of Mark. The credit will only cover a next stays accomodation. We DONT WANT TO EVER VISIT AGAIN! Despite having only consumed local drinks and soft drinks, with two special ****tails ordered one of the days. Despite the transfer never delivered the day before and this service never delivered? Despite the unpleasant atmosphere tolerated? So what has now happened with the all-inclusive? When Mario the barman has categorically confirmed this to us on several occasions. This was us being held totally ransom by John the owner after he himself decided to get his family out of the area - by means of Helicopter off course. Having made contact with him to adress this, he chooses to block me on whatsapp saying he will deal with me in the new year, to date, writing this review I have not heard a single word from him. Last bit; on the way to the airport, driving with Bruno (a great guy and driver) I ask the question, whats wrong with the other vehicle standing at the lodge, can it not drive - Bruno answers "there is nothing wrong with it, it can reach the airport easily, just the problem of Mr. Mark" Being stopped on the road by locals protesting, Bruno did a great job to get us to the airport, asking Bruno about paying of the bribes, and whether the monies he has used is provided by the lodge, Bruno answers, no its his personal money. Suggesting that he claims the monies back from the lodge management or owner, Bruno answers" Eish, thats another story" Very little integrity present from the owner and management, clearly totally overrated and never to be recommended. Still waiting on the breakdown of our bill which I requested - will probably never see this! But we had to settle it as we could not risk staying in the country or at the lodge feeling unsafe, uncertain and unwelcomed. So much more to add, just never fall for this places advertising!