Benguerra is a unique, African island paradise-washed
by the turquoise waters of the warm Mozambique Channel. This is
barefoot luxury at its very best. Benguerra Island was originally named “Santa
Antonio” by Portuguese explorers and was later named Benguerra
after a local Tribal chief. The Island is the second biggest island in
the chain and is approximately 11km in length and 5,5km wide.
The island sustains a varied array of fauna and flora including natural
forest, savannah, dunes and wetland eco-systems. The unique freshwater
lakes on the island are indeed a reminder of ancient times when the island
was part of the mainland and still hosts a population of freshwater crocodiles.
Cashew nut trees are indigenous and grow on the seaward side of the island.
Sisal plants are plentiful and are used in a manufactured form by the
locals to repair their fishing nets. Mlala palms are in abundance and
the leaves are used for the weaving of mats, baskets and hats, which
are then sold. On the southern point of the island you will find Casuarina
trees planted by convicts from Penal colonies in the area during Portuguese
rule. The trees are not indigenous and were planted to prevent erosion
on the island. |
|
How to get there? LAM - Return flights from Johannesburg on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Pelican Air – Daily return flight from Johannesburg.

| Accommodation |
| Benguerra Lodge |
The luxury thatched Benguerra Lodge offers exclusivity in a tranquil and remote setting. Merged into a natural milkwood forest bordering Benguerra Bay and encircled by silver beaches, coral reefs and turquoise seas. Inspired by the island’s natural beauty, local builders and craftsmen constructed the lodge with inherent materials - the roofs are made of thatch and reeds whilst palm fronds were used for the walls. There are three different kinds of accommodation at Benguerra – each with their unique characteristics and attractions. The Cabanas are built right on the edge of the beach. Romantic and elegant, the suites offer guests the chance to experience the ultimate island getaway. The Cabanas are complete with: King-sized bed / Large bathroom with bath, shower and outdoor shower / Mosquito net and overhead fan / Private deck with Jacuzzi/plunge pool and sun loungers / Mini-bar / Tea & coffee making facilities The Casitas are home away from home, where the eco conscious traveler can relax and enjoy the spacious and luxurious comforts to be found in this African Island Paradise. The Casita embraces Benguerra’s unique blend of safari chic and Arabic style. Each Casita has a Queen size bed with mosquito net, a tastefully appointed lounge area, 100m2 of private timber deck with plunge pool and an outdoor dining gazebo for starlit dinners. The Villa is the epitome of exclusivity. The luxury furnishings and private facilities make it an ideal place for those wanting unsurpassed comfort and privacy, honeymooners and families. A personal chef prepares all meals at the Villa, although the main lodge's dining facilities are also available to Villa guests, if desired. The Villa is complete with: Two double bedrooms / Mosquito nets and overhead fans / En-suite bathrooms with bath and shower / Intimate lounge and dining area, fitted with hand carved mahogany furniture / Personal chef / Private wooden deck with a swimming pool / Private garden and beach access. Meals are fresh from the sea, with delicacies such as crayfish, crab and calamari tantalisingly prepared or exotic Portuguese dishes. Lunches are relaxed affairs served in different settings and always with unsurpassed personal attention. There is also a swimming pool for those wanting a less salty swim. Facilities: Gift shop / Lounge and Bar / Swimming pool / Small Spa
|


 |
|
| |
| Azura |
Imagine a resort situated on an unspoilt island with deserted beaches of pure white sand, sparkling turquoise seas, swaying palms, sunny days and star studded nights…and you have Azura Mozambique. Azura is the country’s first luxury eco-boutique retreat. It has just 15 villas, each with their own infinity pool and designed for the ultimate in pampering and privacy. The 3 Luxury Beach Villas (with more than 100m2 under roof and 650m2 private area) are furnished in contemporary style and just steps from the beach. The violas are situated on the beachfront with beautiful sea views and with a private plunge pool. Each villa has the following facilities: Air-conditioning and fans / King size bed with oversize mosquito net / Indoor-outdoor his and hers showers / Large bathroom with panoramic bath and separate toilet / Butler service / Mini bar / Tea/coffee making facilities / Sundeck / Beachside sala Azura has 11 Infinity Beach Villas ( with 110m2 under roof, 650m2 private area) also situated on the beachfront with a private 5 metre infinity pool. They are furnished in contemporary style and look out over a stunning infinity pool towards the beach and sea beyond. Each has the following facilities: Air-conditioning and fans / King size bed with oversize mosquito net / Indoor-outdoor his and hers showers / large bathroom with panoramic bath and separate toilet / Butler service / Mini bar / Tea/coffee making facilities / Sundeck / Daybeds / Beachside sala The Presidential Villa (with 275m2 under roof, 1075m2 private area) at Azura is the epitomy of style and luxury, with its own unique décor. It has two en suite bedrooms, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, a sitting room with fireplace, dining area, huge pool and Jacuzzi. It is located just footsteps from the beach at the end of our property to ensure maximum privacy, and has uninterrupted panoramic views to Bazaruto Island and the Indian Ocean. The Presidential Villa has the following facilities: Air-conditioning and fans / King size bed with oversize mosquito net, twin beds in second bedroom (can be converted to king size) / Indoor-outdoor his and hers showers / Extra -large bathroom with panoramic bath and separate toilet in main bedroom / Butler service / Mini bar / Tea/coffee making facilities / Extensive sundeck / Daybeds / Beachside sala The villas blend modern chic with all that is traditional in Mozambique. The creature comforts you would expect from a luxury boutique resort are there, set off by beautifully carved beams and traditional artwork beneath a local thatched jekka roof. Each is just footsteps from the beach, yet designed with seclusion in mind. Nestled amidst the indigenous trees and bush. Tan in private beneath the swaying palms of your villa or cool off in your plunge pool. Dine on your deck, or sip a cocktail in your beachside Sala as the sun goes down. Lie in your bath and gaze at the view, or shower beneath the stars. All this from your private villa!!! The public areas are open to the beach and sea with amazing vistas across calm blue waters to the Indian Ocean beyond. Furnished with cool contemporary cottons and the textures of Africa, they are open to the breezes, in harmony with nature. Sip a cocktail at the beach bar with your feet in the sand, or snack on fresh sushi in the Star Bar. The mod cons are there too if you need them, with TV and Internet discreetly tucked away in the library. The chef’s dishes will not disappoint, and nor will the extensive wine cellar, which includes fine wines from France. The main restaurant has magnificent uninterrupted views. The Gecko Deck offers informal dining with your feet in the sand. Or picnic at a secluded spot on your own. And nothing beats dining by candlelight on the beach beneath the stars. Activities include snorkel or dive; fly fish or big game fish. Go out with the Dugong protection team and search for the shy endangered mammal. Or you can help protect and release the turtles from their nests on the shores. Sail on a dhow, or cruise to deserted beaches to look for pansy shells. Swim with the dolphins, or track down humpback whales on their migration past the shores. The Africa spa is like no other. Nestled into the dunes, at one with the environment. The treatments are based on local ingredients and traditions. Be rubbed down with ground coconut shells and natural spices, covered head to toe with tamarind and aloe, and gently massaged with warm marula oil. The treatment list includes: Rubs / Wraps / Massages
|



|
|
| |
| Marlin Beach Lodge |
|
Built on elivated wooden stilts, the Lodge overlooks a tranquil Flamingo bay. Formed hundreds of thousands of years ago, the Bazaruto Archipelago is a result of mass sand deposits by the waters of the Limpopo River, and is now host to over 2000 fish species and over a hundred coral species. From sand dunes to freshwater lakes and acacia woodlands, Benguerua Island is a diverse ecological gem. While nature’s finest marine-life swim veiled below the surface of opaque waters, upward the skies are alighted by beautiful birdlife. Marlin Lodge is settled peacefully within its environment like an oasis in perfect harmony with its unscathed surroundings. The Luxury Chalets offer 14 unique Chalets. The Marlin Lodge Beach chalets, also before known as the Private Luxury chalets, are set just above the beach, sea facing, and only a few steps from the white sands of flamingo bay beach. Each of the Luxury beach chalets is 60sqm on the inside and 17sqm veranda. The verandah is also a perfect location for a private dinner for two. The inside of the chalets is constructed with sophisticated designed finishes, including slated flooring, plastered surfaces and soft lighting. Features: En-Suite bathroom, Shower, roof fan, air-conditioning, four-poster bed with mosquito netting, his and her basins, vanity area, inside & outside showers, open plan bathroom ( including shower facility), private lounge, private veranda with deck chairs, mini bar, 2 seating lounges, private walkway to the beach. The Executive Beach Suite sheer size is what makes them so breathtaking. Boasting with 80sqm floor space, and a veranda of 30sqm, this room is the perfect haven for the discerning traveler. Similar to the Luxury Beach Suites, the inside is constructed with more sophisticated finishes such as slated flooring, plastered surfaces and soft lighting. Total of three Suites available. Features: En-Suite bathroom, double basins , separate vanity area, shower, air-conditioning, king size four-poster bed with mosquito netting, open plan bathroom ( including shower), mini bar, coffee & tea making facilities, 2 seating lounges, private outside shower, private veranda with deck chairs & hammock, private walkway to the beach. Marlin Lodge offers exceptional cuisine by our first-class chefs, with sumptuous culinary flavours that will tempt you and delight you. The cookery is characteristic of seafood-plentiful Mozambique, infused with the Asian and Portuguese influence of its past.
|



|
|
What to see
Small herds of red duiker antelope still roam the islands,
carving out a precarious existence alongside freshwater
crocodiles and samango monkeys. The choppy reefs are fertile
breeding grounds for turtles, dolphins and dugongs. After
the dive a trip to Pansy Island to collect a few rarely
seen pansy shells or to visit the South Point of Bazaruto
to climb the dune and view Two-Mile Reef from another angle.
After snorkelling, clients are treated to a trip to Pansy
Island for shell collecting or to Bazaruto's South Point
for dune climbing.
What to do
Diving & Snorkelling
One of the most striking aspects of diving the reefs off
Benguerra Island is the sheer unspoilt beauty and the variety
and abundance of marine life. Once under water exotic
reef fish abound-schooling bannerfish, moorish idols,
butterfly fish, blue striped snappers, oriental and barred
sweetlips, boxfish, goldies, trigger fish and numerous others
provide movement among the diverse beautifully coloured
corals and sponges.
Dhow Cruises
Sail silently in a traditional Arab dhow along the coastline
in search of the island's flamingos or glide peacefully
in the late afternoon with sundowners in hand, to witness
one of Africa's marvels - the magnificent sunsets.
Deep Sea Fishing
King- queen- and Spanish mackerel, kawakawa, many different
types of kingfish and queenfish can be caught. A policy
of "Catch and Release" is encouraged and all boats
have the necessary equipment on board for tagging.
Saltwater Fly Fishing
The waters around Benguerra boast some of the finest saltwater
fly-fishing on the continent. Even newcomers to fly fishing
can enjoy a session out on the water learning something
new, while avid fly fishers will revel in pursue all the
above game species and sailfish.
Picnics
Have your own castaway picnic under the island's casuarinas,
the South Point of Bazaruto, on Pansy Island or Santa Carolina
- or perhaps even a secret rendezvous.
Bird watching
Because of the diversity of habitats-coastal dunes,
open grasslands, freshwater lakes, savannah and acacia woodlands
- over 125 species of birds, including all the sea birds,
visit Benguerra Island.
Island Drive
An informative and adventurous way to explore the exquisite
bird life and secret hideaways of Benguerra Island.
Experience a breathtaking view from a dune before a refreshing
swim in the ocean.
back to top |