Voted "The Most Friendly Beach Hideaway" in the Harpers & Queen Travel Awards 2002."
Along the historical Mozambique Channel lies tropical Ilha de Benguerra, part of the Bazaruto National Park - an island paradise situated within the renowned Bazaruto Archipelago - and perfect for the ultimate Mozambique beach holiday.
Here too is beautiful Benguerra Lodge, where peace and contentment penetrate the soul. Merged into a natural acacia forest bordering Benguerra Bay and encircled by silver beaches, coral reefs and turquoise seas, this up-market Lodge offers exclusivity in a tranquil setting.
At Benguerra Lodge, where lodge policies are intricately inter-related with the marine eco-system and the local population, relaxation within an African island reserve is the name of the game. While you may simply choose to recline within the shade of a beach umbrella, there are many wonderful activities to enjoy.
Benguerra Lodge offers:
• Snorkeling
• Scuba diving
• Deep sea fishing
• Saltwater fly fishing
• Bird watching
• Dhow cruising
• Island walks and cultural tours to the local village
• Visits to unique freshwater lakes
Benguerra Lodge exudes an East-African-cum-Arabic decor in line with the ancient tradition of the Archipelago, once the playground of the Queen of Sheba and the trading route of old Arabia. While it is an island lodge, care has been taken to maintain the feeling that one is nevertheless embarking upon an African marine safari.
At night one may experience the wonderful whisper of a gentle sea breeze brushing the cheek or the squeak of clean sand as one walks along the half-moon beach of Benguerra Bay on a full-moon night.
Accommodation:
The main lodge building comprising of Reception Area & Gift Shop, Lounge & Bar, Dining Room, Library and large deck area, is flanked by eleven comfortable thatched chalets and 2 new Honeymoon Suites. On the large deck area, guests can enjoy a cocktail and sit back after the day's events.
The chalets merge within the surrounding indigenous Acacia and Natal Mahogany forest. However, each chalet is no more than 20 meters from the beach and each has sea view.
All chalets are double rooms (7 double bedded rooms and 4 twin bed rooms) with en-suite bathroom and shower.
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.
The Honeymoon Suites
The 2 new Honeymoon Suites are built right on the edge of the beach and offer the ultimate in romance, elegance and seduction.
Each suite has it's own private deck with jacuzzi/plunge pool, hammocks and sun loungers; a mini-bar; tea & coffee making facilities; a large bathroom with bath and shower and a gorgeous outdoor shower.
The Villa at Benguerra Lodge
Launched in mid-2003, this exclusive, private Villa is ideal for honeymoon couples and family special occasions. Set away from the rest of the complex, guests enjoy total privacy. A personal chef is available to prepare all meals. However guests may have any meal at the Lodge should they wish to.
The Villa is decorated in East African style and consists of two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, intimate lounge and dining area with hand carved mahogany table. Outside on the wooden deck is a Jacuzzi/plunge pool for relaxation.
The stay at The Villa includes 3 meals per day, all drinks, daily laundry, medical rescue insurance, 17% Mozambique tax, 1 snorkel trip, 1 Landrover trip with picnic lunch and 1 dhow sunset cruise.
Enviroment:
The Bazaruto Archipelago, was once part of the Mozambican mainland. Over the centuries the lower lying areas gradually fell prey to an encroaching ocean until just the islands of the archipelago remained - Bazaruto, Benguerra and Magaruque being the main ones.
Benguerra Island embraces a wide variety of ecosystems within its 55sq. km. extent. The Indian Ocean surrounding the island comprises pelagic waters and play host to a multitude of sought-after game fish while the coral reefs remain pristine and home to a wealth of living organisms. The marine eco-system is enhanced by tidal flats and marine grass meadows. This too is one of the last refuges of the dugong communities.
Inland, one will come across mangrove communities, freshwater lakes, swamp forests and vegetated sand dunes, which are in turn replaced by evergreen forest savannah and grasslands. The freshwater lakes, one of the surviving clues of the island's ancient mainland past, still play home to resident freshwater crocodiles.
It is one of the Lodge's objectives and that of the Bazaruto National Park, as well as all interested parties, that this diverse environment should be maintained for future as well as present generations to enjoy. The treasure chest of bird and fish life in particular is there to be respected and opened by all.
Activities:
There's much to discover on and around the Island. On foot or in open land rovers, the choice of how you explore Benguerra Island is entirely up to you.
The lodge takes great pride in ensuring that guests are made to feel welcome and to participate in whatever they wish. To this extent, each evening, staff circulate amongst guests and establish what their requirements for the following day are. Whether you wish to participate in some magnificent snorkeling or try your hand at some exciting saltwater fly-fishing from a boat, you will have an experienced guide with you, ensuring a wonderful day in the Archipelago is enjoyed to the fullest.
Getting There:
Flight from Johannesburg, Kruger International Airport & Durban Airport
Johannesburg – Vilanculos
Depart 10h15 : Arrive 12h30
and/or
Depart 12h00 : Arrive 14h15
Daily
Vilanculos – Johannesburg
Depart 13h45 : Arrive 16h00
and/or
Depart 15h15 : Arrive 17h30
Daily
KMIA (Nelspruit) – Vilanculos
Depart 11h00 : Arrive 12h45
Tues & Fri Vilanculos – KMIA (Nelspruit)
Depart 13h30 : Arrive 15h15
Tues & Fri
Durban – Vilanculos
Depart 06h45 : Arrive 10h00
Mon (Seasonal), Weds & Fri
Vilanculos – Durban
Depart 12h50 : Arrive 16h00
Mon (Seasonal), Weds, Fri
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BAGGAGE:
Maximum 20kg luggage per passenger. Any luggage exceeding the 20kg will be charged a fee of R 14.00 per kg. Please note that any excess luggage will only travel on space availability.
AIRPORT TAXES:
South African airport taxes and new US$ 2.50 arrival tax for Mozambique are included in the airfare. The US$ 10 departure tax in Mozambique is for clients’ own account.
TICKETS:
Will be issued to passengers at check-in counter on departure.
REFRESHMENTS:
All flights have light meals, soft drinks and magazines on board.
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