andBeyond Benguerra Island
MozambiqueBenguerra Island is the second largest island in the gorgeous Bazaruto archipelago – floating in the shimmering blue of the balmy Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. &Beyond has recently rebuilt and recreated the perfect mix of island informality in the lap of ultimate luxury and surrounded by superb African hospitality. The lodge's design combines the magic of African heritage infused with the traditions of the east African Portuguese – all in the midst of a pristine marine reserve where the abundance of the ocean is a constant source of amazement.
In shade of a 1000 palms
The entire lodge is set on a magnificent and secluded crescent of golden beach where the ocean massages the sand in the timeless and normally gentle way it has for millennia before we arrived. The main areas of Benguerra Island all look out over the glory of the ocean while luxuriating in the coolth of the shade of the palms. If you’d like a fresh water swim, the lodge’s rim-flow pool is an inviting respite shaded by rustling fronds. After a cooling dip you might like to lie back on a lounger and sip on an island cocktail while the gentle breeze over the ocean beyond lulls you into a pleasant doze.
Casinhas and cabanas
There are ten casinhas and two cabanas nestling in the shade of the lush island forest. The shutters and wooden concertina doors allow your living space to be completely open to the ocean breezes or, when the weather closes in briefly, sheltered from rare but spectacular Indian Ocean storms. The outdoor sitting area, under a drape of cooling thatch, is a perfect space for relaxation. Private al fresco dining under the Indian Ocean sky on the sprawling veranda beyond is sublime next to you private plunge pool.
Inside, there is a light and airy feel of afro-chic with a taste of Portuguese-Mozambique tradition. An enormous four poster bed is the centre-piece of perfect repose while your spacious bathroom, complete with views and bathtub for two, is an excellent place to unwind after a day of island fun and adventure.
For families the three bedroom (all en suite) Casa de Familia with its large private pool and beach sala is an excellent option. The &Beyond staff are ready to welcome and entertain children of all ages.
As much or as little as you like
You can do as much or as little as you want to at Benguerra. Start your day with a sunrise boat ride to one of the excellent dive sites off the island where the teaming life beneath the waves will leave you amazed and delighted. Alternatively toss a line off a deep-sea fishing boat where some of the best catch and release game fishing the world over is waiting for avid anglers. Maybe, however, you’d prefer a gentle stroll down the beach as the sea turns from inky to impossible sapphire in the rising sun.
After a leisurely breakfast of fresh fruits or a hearty but elegant fry-up, you might take to the interior of the island to explore the forests and freshwater lake shores for the plethora of bird-life that abounds on the island. A visit to a local village to experience the lives of the local islanders is an excellent way to finish the morning.
After a delicious private picnic on an isolated dune, relax on the beach or on your veranda. Perhaps a rejuvenating spa treatment would be more to your taste before forty winks.
In the late afternoon, you could paddle out into the ocean on a kayak and look for the rare dugong perhaps accompanied by a pod of confiding dolphin. Otherwise you could blaze down the beach on horseback, the sun setting over Africa to the west. If you fancy something less active, a sunset dhow cruise with your favorite snifter is a glorious way to welcome the stars.
Dinner on the beach, your toes in the sand, a perfectly chilled wine in your hand and an exquisite seafood meal in front of you is the perfect way to end the day before slipping into a deep sleep lulled by the sound of the Indian Ocean.
