All you need to know

Intro

Swaying palms, gentle breezes, sunny days and star-studded nights. Benguerra is an unspoilt island within a Marine National Park where Mozambican hosts will look after your every need and serve you fresh fish all day long - and it's a community lodge so the locals benefit too.

Highlights

This is the dream: soft white beaches shared only with the odd diligent crab, pelican or flamingo; silky waters the colour of tranquil blue mixed with an energetic yellow, criss-crossed by local dhows; helicopter transfers, mind-reading service and incomprehensibly delicious cuisine.

Need To Know

This luxury eco-boutique retreat is built entirely by hand in partnership with the local community. The 20 villas each have their own private pool stretching out to the Indian Ocean beyond, and are designed for the ultimate undiscovered getaway.

Safaris

• Benguerra is a sand island which has spectacular moving dunes and a diverse range of habitats for exotic and endemic wildlife.
• On the land there are fresh water lakes; home to crocodiles, fish and migrant wading birds, the beautiful ‘greater Flamingo’, remnant forests along the dunes and grasslands and swamps which house a variety of bird life and mammals.
• In the surrounding ocean there are near pristine offshore coral reefs; inshore sea grass beds, upon which the Dugong (the legendary mermaid) and turtles feed; good stocks of pelagic fishes and long stretches of sandy beaches ideal for swimming, walking or just relaxing.

Animal sightings

• Dugongs – year round, although very scarce
• Turtle season – year round
• Whales – humpback – mid June to mid October
• Dolphins – year round
• Whale sharks/Manta rays – December to March

Quick Facts

Region

Africa

Property Type

Safari Tented Camp ( less than 20 tents)

Average Stay

4 nights

Average Price

From US$695 per person per night sharing in the Beach Villas

Child Policy

CHILDREN
• Children are welcome at Azura, but guest privacy must be respected.
• Young children should dine in villa

Accommodation

The 20 luxury beachfront villas comprise of 3 Beach Villa, 3 Luxury Beach Villas, 10 Infinity Beach Villas, 2 Royal Beach Villas, 1 Villa Amizade and 1 Presidential Villa. All villas are very spacious with the Infinity and Luxury villas covering a total private area of 650m2.

The key difference between the Luxury Beach Villas and the Infinity Beach Villas is the prime positioning of the latter, a larger bathroom with freeform bath, and the size of the villa pool. The Luxury Beach Villas each have 3.5m plunge pools whereas the Infinity Beach Villas have a 5m long infinity pool. The Beach Villa is slightly smaller in all aspects but has an excellent location.

The villas are all nestled amidst the indigenous trees and bushes and have been painstakingly created to offer guest their own private sanctuary where they can feel at one with the environment.

Guests need only take a few steps to the pristine white beach or they may choose to just lounge around on plump cushions and have their host serve them tea and ice cold drinks. They can dine on the private deck, or sip a cocktail in the beachside Sala as the sun goes down. Lie in the large bath and gaze at the view, or shower beneath the stars.
The following amenities are found in the villa:
• Kingsize or twin beds with oversize mosquito net (note only 4 villas can be configured as twins and must be pre-booked)
• Double vanities
• Hairdryer
• Mosquito repellant and bug spray
• Multinational plug points
• Telephone
• Mini bar, stocked with complimentary soft drinks and beer – all other drinks are served by the Butler/Hosts, many of which are also complimentary.
• Soaps, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, ear buds, cotton wool and nail files all of which are eco-friendly natural products and free of Parabens, and are the same top quality products used in the spa.
• Books (fiction) are placed in the villa (as well as reference books in the library/lounge areas)
• Beach bag
• Laundry bag and laundry facilities (we aim for a 24 hour service but as laundry is air dried this is not always possible)
• Air conditioning and ceiling fan

Season

The island is warm and sunny year round, and is exceptionally dry. In some years there has been very little rain at all. Rain showers are generally restricted to the mainland, although some will occur over the island close to the rainy season. These usually fall as short sharp bursts, often at night. Breezes are usually light and the sea temperature varies with the seasons and currents between 24 °c and 30 °c.

Weather patterns globally are changing, and it is becoming harder to predict weather patterns with certainty. The below is based on observation over the past few years:
January: rain possible, still lots of sunshine, very hot and humid.
28 – 35°c. 82 – 100°F
February: rain possible, still lots of sunshine, very hot and humid.
28 – 38°c. 82 – 100°F.
March: hot and sunny, some lingering rain showers possible.
25 – 30°c. 77 – 86°F
April: hot, sunny and dry, less humidity, lovely beach weather.
25 – 30°c. 77 – 86°F May: lovely sunny weather, with little or no rainfall. 20 – 28°c. 68 – 82°F
June: lovely sunny weather with no rainfall.
18 – 27°c. 64 – 80°F
July/August: our winter months, days are still sunny and warm, no rain, will require something to keep off the chill in the evenings.
15 – 26°c. 59 – 78°F
September: spring, sunny warm weather, no rain.
18 – 28°c. 64 – 82°F
October: sunny and hot, rain unlikely.
23 – 30°c. 73 – 91°F
November: sunny and hot, with more humidity, possible short showers.
22 – 33°c. 73 – 91°F
December: sunny and hot, with higher humidity, possible short showers.
23 – 36°c. 73 – 97°F