Benguerra Island Lodge Bazaruto Island Mozambique

A tropical paradise tucked into a lush indigenous forest and looking out onto a picturesque crescent of sandy beach, Benguerra Island Lodge is undergoing an extensive refurbishment to become the quintessential luxury island retreat. Boasting a fresh island feel, the lodge’s welcoming guest areas offer views of the lush tropical garden and the ocean beyond.

email: bazaruto@go.mozbookings.com

Be among the first to enjoy the brand new Benguerra Island Lodge experience when the lodge reopens on 1 June 2015 after an extensive rebuild and refurbishment. The lodge’s elegant new interior design, which reflects both the island’s African and Portuguese heritage, will add to its exceptional location alongside a permanent deep water channel.

Situated on the second largest island in the sunny Bazaruto Archipelago off the coast of Mozambique, the lodge is set in a protected marine conservation area and offers pristine beaches and unspoiled coral reefs teeming with marine life. Looking out onto a sandy beach and set on a deep lagoon unaffected by the tides, this exclusive beach getaway is ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

Surrounded by premier diving sites, the lodge is the gateway to an underwater wonderland for divers, with a rich variety of tropical fish species complemented by Africa’s only population of the rare dugong. Benguerra Island offers some of the world’s best catch-and-release deep sea fishing and fly fishing opportunities.

Accommodation

Gaze out onto endless ocean views from a cool and spacious casinha or cabana set on the edge of a golden crescent of beach.

Set among a lush island forest, ten casinhas and two cabanas admit cooling sea breezes through wooden shutters and glazed windows and doors that fold back to frame the magnificent views.

A light and airy colour scheme combines tropical chic with a distinct African feel and reminders of the area’s Portuguese heritage. Set under thatch, both casinhas and cabanas boast elegant four-poster beds with white linen canopies and comfortable day beds. Spacious bathrooms feature generous bathtubs big enough for two, while outdoor showers decorated with hand-painted tiles offer an opportunity to enjoy your ablutions while listening to the nearby whisper of the waves.

Vast wooden verandas flow from outdoor dining areas ideal for starlit dinners to cool plunge pools that mimic the glimmer of the sea. A few short steps down a sandy path, shaded sun loungers on the open beach invite you to while the hours away.

Ideal for families or groups, the Casa Familia boasts three bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, as well as private swimming pool set on the sheltered wooden veranda

Benguerra
The second largest island of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Benguerra offers exceptional opportunities to explore some of the very best of Mozambique’s magnificent marine life and experience an abundance of island adventures. Characterised by its towering sand dunes, inland lakes and idyllic beaches, Benguerra was declared a National Park in 1971. It is home to over 140 bird species and the waters surrounding the archipelago are home to Africa’s last remaining population of the rare dugong. With one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world just offshore, the island waters boast a staggering variety of colourful and exotic tropical fish, while keen fishermen can target a full range of game fish, from sailfish to giant trevally, bonito and marlin (catch-and-release).

While the island is fringed with golden, sandy beaches, its interior is a lush patchwork of forests, wetlands and fresh water lakes. Horse riding trips and island expeditions explore both the coastline and the interior of the island, uncovering traditional culture at the local village and climbing soaring sand dunes.

Why Visit?
· Diving and snorkelling some of the most pristine reefs in the world
· Thrilling deep sea and fly fishing opportunities
· Horse riding on the beach or among the soaring sand suns and freshwater lakes of the interior
· Traditional dhow cruises, island expeditions, catamaran cruises and romantic castaway picnics
Africa’s only population of the rare and endangered dugong

What Sets Us Apart?
• Barefoot luxury
• Direct beach access
• Situated on a permanent lagoon, so access to water is not affected by tides
• PADI dive centre
• Ideal for swimming and snorkelling
• Beautiful beach walks
• Horse riding
• Outstanding marine life
• Situated in a national park
• Home to the rare dugong
• Swimming and boat access directly off the beach even at low tide
• Diverse birdlife
• Exceptional game fishing and fly fishing destination (catch-and-release)

Activities

Included (one per day)
• Dhow cruise
• Scheduled snorkelling trip
• Birdwatching
• Sea kayaking

Included (one per stay)
• Castaway picnic
• Island expedition
• Local community tour

At an additional charge
• Scuba diving
• Deep sea fishing or saltwater
fly fishing (catch-and-release)
• Catamaran cruises
• Horse riding safari
• Scenic helicopter tour