Tag: Mozambique

Beach after Bush

Posted on by James

An authentic African safari is one of the most thrilling experiences you can ever have.

Those whom the bug has bitten find themselves returning time and time again to revisit that sense of excitement, the tranquility of an Okavango sunrise, the thrill of a lion stalk or the sheer rawness of nature as ten thousand wildebeest come pouring over the Mara River in their desperate need to reach the other shore.
Safari can also simply be about getting in touch with yourself and family once more. No receiving message on drive, no police sirens in the distance, just you and the peace of the bush; birdsong, the soft trilling of cicadas and the whisper of the wind in the golden grass.

Yet in order to take full advantage of the environment and prime viewing conditions, early wake-ups are the norm, with a pre-dawn coffee on deck the order of the day as you wipe the sleep from your eyes and prepare to head out into the gloom, just before the sun peeks over the horizon.
A good few days of these early mornings, combined with some late nights around the fire and some excellent bottles of South Africa’s finest red wine, and you may well find yourself needing a holiday after your holiday. And that is where the beach comes in.

There are literally thousands of kilometres of pristine coastline from Cape Town up to Kenya, with golden sands, whales breaching, turtles laying eggs, and often miles and miles of emptiness stretching before you, with only the warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean lapping against your feet.

If its genuine relaxation you are after on your holiday, look no further. The resorts and beach lodges we love will have you wanting for nothing. Pina coladas on call, boat excursions to remote sand bars, and snorkelling in the clearest water imaginable as the warm sun gently tans you.
An Indian Ocean getaway is – at least for us – the perfect ay to wind down after a safari. You won’t have anyone waking you up before it’s light, you make your own schedule, and you can be as indulgent as you like.

Our Top 3 choices for beach destinations would be:

Plettenberg Bay

It’s a no-brainer for us, with “Plett’” as South Africans call it, just having been nominated for World’s Leading Beach Destination.
The shores of this wonderful seaside town can get quite busy during the Christmas period when a lot of SA residents move into their summer homes, but for 90% of the year it is a wonderfully quiet town, with so much to do within such a short distance.
Explore the Robberg Peninsula or go hiking in the Knysna Forest. Take a canoe up the Keurbooms River in search of Knysna Turacos (even leopards have been sighted here) or look for pansy shells on some of the more remote beaches in the area.

Plett has it all, and with a convenient airport nearby (a major one at George or a local one practically in town), access is very easy.

Vilanculos & Surrounds

A short flight from Johannesburg will have you on the beach in Mozambique’s Vilanculos sipping a strawberry daquiri before lunchtime.
Flying in over the extensive sandbars, gazing down through the azure waters, is a landing you won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

Vilanculos is essentially the gateway to a multitude of incredible lodges – some on the mainland and some out on the islands – like Sussurro, Azura and Kisawa. All will leave you speechless at their simple charm and opulence, and all will have you immediately wanting to extend your stay.

The lodges around Vilnaculos are as close to paradise as you can find…

Maputaland, South Africa

One of South Africa’s last great stretches of untouched coastline, made up almost entirely of pristine beaches, and home to a vast array of land based and marine wildlife, Maputaland is the far northern section of South Africa, just south of the Mozambican border.

With a wonderful array of destinations like Black Rock Bay, Tonga Beach Lodge and Mabibi to choose from, as well as being in close proximity to wonderful game viewing areas like Phinda and iSiMangaliso Wetland Reserve, Maputaland is a region packed full of exciting options

If you want to tag on a relaxing beach option to your safari, get hold of us through info@iconciafrica.com com, and let’s see what stretch of coastline tickles your fancy the most…

Azura Benguerra: White Sand Paradise

Posted on by James

The exceptional Azura resort rests on the idyllic shoreline of Benguerra Island. Built entirely by hand by the local community, Azura offers 18 splendid villas set amidst indigenous gardens only steps away from the beach. Each villa features a beautiful ensuite bathroom with an alfresco shower, a dressing area, a huge comfy bed, a private plunge pool, a beachside sala, a sundeck and day beds.

Guests are assigned a dedicated Mozambican host, who will attend to their every need for the duration of their stay. Dining is a delectable affair, with a superb seafood menu. Meals can be savoured in the restaurant, on the beach or at a picnic in a romantic and secluded spot. Azura houses a decadent and luxurious spa, as well as a water sports centre that offers adventures such as scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, big game fishing and kayaking. Island drives and cultural excursions can also be arranged.

Compact villas offer the perfect balance of stylish comfort and elegant simplicity. Comfortable indoor lounge and living spaces flow into an outdoor seating and dining area with secluded beachside frontage.

Submerge into your private plunge pool that mirrors the colours of the ocean, or enjoy some R&R on the large, undercover deck with a daybed. All beach villas have a separate sundeck, as well as a private beach sala for seaside relaxation.

Hop aboard a traditional dhow, a wooden vessel with a triangular sail, used for fishing by the island’s locals. A welcoming local skipper will collect you from your casita or cabana in the late afternoon, embarking on an unforgettable cruise around the azure bay. The sailing adventure presents the Island and its surrounding waters in a unique light and thus offers excellent photographic opportunities of the wide horizon, the calm waters and the glowing horizon.

Watch the sun set over the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago as you drift along the calm water, guided by ocean breezes. Witness the cerulean sky rapidly change colour, embracing hues of rose and violet spread over an amber canvas. Marvel at the illuminated water, dancing with gold shimmers, as it welcomes the sun’s descent beneath the distant horizon. The scene plays out beautifully and the ocean swallows the golden orb into its infinite depths. Travel back to the shore, accompanied by the quiet swoosh of the dhow’s sail, lost in the kaleidoscope of an African sunset.

Feel as though you have the island all to yourself as you indulge in a decadent picnic set in one of the most secluded sites on the Bazaruto Archipelago. Revel in magnificent sea views from the sand spit that daringly juts out into the ocean and lounge on the peak of soaring sand dunes, romantically set up for an idyllic picnic. Delight in fare that is sure to tantalise your taste buds with a vast assortment of hors d’oeuvres, appetisers and local delicacies.

Choose from South Point Bazaruto or North Point Benguerra, gently evoking feelings of being a castaway on a dreamy deserted island. Kick up your heels and lounge on satiny sands with 360 degree views of the ocean vista and the frolicking dolphins below. Relish a languid afternoon picnic in exquisite natural surroundings. South Point Bazaruto is an ideal spot to relax after thrilling dives or on a meandering sunset cruise. The North Point Benguerra Castaway Picnic will have you reclining on a sandy spit with unparalleled views of a wild, frothing ocean with short waves on one side and a calm bay with mirror-like waters on the other. Explore the clean coastline over miles, treasure hunt for rippled seashells, encounter the almost translucent ghost crab and marvel at the ebony and candy floss coloured wings of the elegant flamingo. Soak in the temperate, aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean, brilliantly illuminated by the warmth of the African sun.

Snorkelling at Two-Mile Reef will suit every guest, regardless of age and expertise. The boat ride out to the reef can be bumpy as the outgoing and incoming tides converge in the channel between Bazaruto and Benguerra Island. Two-Mile Reef is a flat-topped barrier reef renowned for its brilliant snorkelling. Highlights include a variety of hard and soft corals and many schools of reef and pelagic fish passing through. On the boat trip you may be lucky enough to spot playful dolphins and the elusive, endangered dugong.  Under the water you may encounter harmless reef sharks and slumberous turtles that effortlessly glide past with their wise eyes. Embrace the unspoilt beauty of the reef and the kaleidoscopic colours of the tropical fish that move in droves along the exposed coral. Two-Mile Reef is faultless in its beauty, guaranteeing an unforgettable outing, and is ideal for those who want to confidently explore the Indian Ocean’s shallower coral reefs. Your snorkelling excursion goes out at low tide, so is determined by the timing of the sea.

Azura Benguerra is truly the perfect way to wind down at the end of your African sojourn.

Safaris are incredible, but a few days of the early wake-ups for morning drives and some late evenings around the fire sipping delicious red wine can leave one in need of some proper down time, and that’s where the tropical paradise of the Mozambican islands comes in…

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out about rates and availability at Azura Benguerra or others like it…

Sussurro: Indian Ocean Whispers

Posted on by James

Few places in the world can offer a true sense of peace.

Yet at Sussuro – Portugese for “whisper” – does just that, with the gentle lap of tiny lagoon ripples on its shoreline, birdsong in the trees around, and the soft creaking of ropes from the dhows moored just offshore all combining into a lovely susurration that fills one with a sense of calm.

The tropical breeze that ensures warm weather pretty much year round means this ocean paradise is a place of swimming costumes and bare feet, with the ever=present option of having a margharita in hand…

Sussurro’s private bungalows provide over a thousand square feet of personal space. Each suite includes indoor and outdoor bathing facilities and generous water front verandahs. Looking out over th lagoon sheltered by the Nhambue peninsula, it is not uncommon to see a school of dolphins moving by close inshore, and one feels completely immersed in nature.

Mozambican architecture weaves a natural canopy above billowing mosquito nets. Large apertures allow the colours of an ever changing landscape to permeate the space.

Rooms are dressed with furniture created and carved onsite and thoughtfully collected artisanal pieces from sub-saharan Africa.

As well as being a place of complete relaxation, where lounging sleepily with a book is the perfect way to pass the time before your next delicious seafood meal, Sussurro is also a place of activities.

Optional dhow trips into the bay or up the Govurha waterways can end in a snorkelling experience on a reef, or a cold Laurentina beer in an isolated cove.
A day trip to Santa Carolina Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago is also a wonderful cutural experience; as well as the thrill of the boat ride, and the natural beauty of the reef systems, one has the opportunity to wander into the Santa Carolina hotel ruin; a throwback to the days of the Portugese colonialists.

Beach picnics under a shaded tent, Stand-up paddleboards, simply lounging by the pool… Sussurro is a place where “urgency” is not part of the vernacular…

Whereas some resorts operate around set mealtimes, time tables and an idea of what they think should happen to make your stay that much better, Sussurro puts the decisions firmly in your hands.
They welcome you in, let you know what’s on offer, and leave it to you to how you want your tropical ocean resort experience play out…

Get hold of us if an idyllic warm-water ocean getaway is what you’re after (inder tip: it’s an amazing way to cap off an African safari…), then get hold of us on info@iconicafrica.com…

 

Iconic Africa’s Favourite Escapes #2

Posted on by James

As a continuation of the Bucket List series we began last month, Iconic Africa Sales Consultant Danni Mcfarlane gives us a list of some of her top destinations for a trip to Africa, as well as a few little extra gems that rank highly in her books…

La Petite Ferme

As someone who appreciates good wine and food, I can wholeheartedly say that La Petite Ferme holds a special place in my heart. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warm, smiling faces. The food overall was stunning, the cake of the day was to die for, and the wine was superb.

The estate is set on a vineyard with stunning views, offering an authentic experience of Franschhoek. They also harvest a variety of grapes, which produce a great selection of wines.

This is the perfect place to unwind after a long flight to South Africa snd before commencing your safari, or to finish up your trip after the early morning game drive wake-ups have you requiring some proper down-time…

Cape Grace

I believe that Cape Grace has one of the best locations in the Waterfront. It also offers a range of accommodation options to accommodate most budgets, and all their rooms are luxurious. The hotel also has a boutique feel which I love.

I wanted to include a Cape Town experience in my itinerary, and the Cape Grace was my top choice for the area. It is right in the beating heart of South Africa’s Mother City, and is the perfect place from which to launch adventures of the greater area…

Saseka Tented Camp

This is a camp I have visited on numerous occasions, and a place I will visit at the drop of a hat again.

Not only have I experienced some of my best sightings at Saseka, but the rooms are unique and absolutely stunning, and the cuisine is out of this world.

Without questions, this is my best property in the Greater Kruger…

Azura Benguerra Island

Last but not lease, Azura.

I have so many beautiful memories of Mozambique from my childhood. We spent most of our Christmas holidays in Mozambique, soaking up the sun and eating some of the best seafood I have ever tasted.

A holiday to Southern Africa is not complete without a few days of relaxation on the beaches of Mozambique. Warm water, white sand and sea life everywhere… this is true tropical island paradise…

To add, the three additional properties that I would like to include are available below:

Lion Sands Tinga Lodge

I chose this lodge for one of the most epic sightings I have ever experienced in the Kruger. This is where I witnessed one massive crocodile take down a ‘dagga boy’ (an old buffalo bull). This memory will stay with me for a long time to come, and the deciding factor for adding this to my top three destinations…

Wilderness Jao

I have included Wilderness Jao as this camp is on my bucket list for Botswana! Stunning lodge design meets superb game viewing in the heart of the Okavango Delta…

Dulini Leadwood

I love the boutique feel of Dulini, especially Leadwood. I have chosen this camp for its beautiful and intimate setting, the design of the camp, and attention to detail in every aspect of what they do. Plus it sits in leopard heaven…!

White Pearl: an Idyllic Mozambique Beach Getaway

Posted on by James

While it’s the more famous Indian Ocean islands like the Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius that have traditionally stolen the limelight, it is the white sand beaches along Mozambique’s southern coast that are shooting to prominence in the international travel space.
Long revered by South African vacationers as the perfect beach getaway, Mozambique has caught the attention of the overseas market, and offers a bit of something for everyone craving a getaway by the sea.
Whether it’s surfing, scuba diving or simply lounging on the white sand that you’re after, there is something for you, and White Pearl at Ponta Mamoli offers the perfect space in which to immerse yourself into the best of what this magical country has to offer.

Built in 2011, White Pearl is best described as laid-back beachside chic.
Set on stilts and nestled in the lush vegetation of the coastal dunes, the resort is tucked away in a sheltered bay, mere metres from the warm, azure waters of the Indian Ocean.
The beaches here are untouched, and the waters offshore abound with life. Coral reefs play host to a stunning array of tropical marine life, and dolphins are regularly viewed from the deck of the lodge. During the Humpback whale migration from July to November, it is almost impossible to look seawards without seeing at least one of these behemoths of the deep breaching in a spectacular display.

The resort itself features 22 luxurious suites which have been sensitively designed to take advantage of their beautiful natural setting. Subtly blending into their bush surroundings, the chalets all feature magnificent views of the ocean, whose lapping waves serve as a constant background accompaniment.
Your very own plunge cool provides a wonderful place to cool off and rinse the salt of the ocean away before heading down to a sumptuous dinner, much of it delicious seafood, sustainably sourced of course.
Your personal butler will take care of your every need, and if you need to feel even more relaxed than you are pretty much guaranteed to be at White Pearl, massage therapists are standing by to offer massages as well as a variety of other spa treatments.

For those looking for an eco-adventure, the Maputo Special Reserve is only a short distance away, and morning excursions to this magnificent park will give one a broader exposure to and understanding of the unique bush-beach habitat merging to be found in the area. The elephants that populate the park may also put in an appearance, as experienced rangers know the spots they frequent at different times of the year.

Mozambique offers a superb beach holiday option, particularly for those who want to add it to the tail end of a safari. With major safari destinations being so close in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, the beach-bush combo is the perfect getaway for a family, and more particularly a honeymoon couple.

Get in touch to find out more about White Pearl, or other amazing beach holiday getaways…

Tropical Paradise Rediscovered

Posted on by James

Mozambique is an oft-overlooked coastal holiday destination. Which in some ways is understandable given that it shares the same ocean with some of the world’s most well-known and romanticised island getaways like the Seychelles, the Maldives and Mauritius.

Yet the Mozambican coastline – and in particular some of its offshore islands – has come into its own over the last decade, offering world-class beach and island holidays with a uniquely African flavour.

Since many of the more prominent lodges and resorts are only a short flight away from the iconic safari destinations just over the border in South Africa, more and more people are tagging on a Mozambican excursion to their safari itinerary, as a way to put the feet up and wind down after a few days of intense wildlife viewing, or simply as a romantic escape and an opportunity to enjoy a crisp glass of wine whilst watching the sun set in the far distance over the African mainland, painting the ocean a thousand shades of red and orange.

Azura Benguerra

In terms of a checklist for picture-perfect beach destinations, Mozambique certainly ticks all the boxes; crystal clear waters, sea temperature around the mid-20s or even higher, white sand beaches with their accompanying overhanging palm trees…
For the fishermen out there most resorts offer deep-sea adventures where dorado and tuna are an easy catch and will likely end up on the barbecue for dinner, and for the lucky anglers a marlin is not out of the question.


The sea is simply brimming with life in this part of the world, and be it on scuba or simply snorkelling close to shore, one is guaranteed to be amazed by the colourful array of marine inhabitants that come in a myriad of shapes and sizes.
The Bazaruto archipelago is one of the last strongholds of the endangered dugong, a marine mammal that breeds in and amongst the mangrove shallows, and a dhow excursion around the azure blue bays might even have you catch a glimpse of one.

For far too long Mozambique has stood on the sidelines in the incredible beach-holiday game, but with the world opening up for travel once more, the southern islands in particular are poised to take their rightful place amongst the most idyllic coastal escapes the world has to offer.

Redefine what your previous idea of coastal luxury was and come and see for yourself.
With a number of spectacular lodges scattered around the Bazaruto archipelago and further north, there are more than enough options to choose from, so if you feel like an entire holiday filled with the salt air and falling asleep to the sound of the Indian Ocean lapping the shoreline, or if you simply want to tag on a few days to your safari adventure, get in touch…

 

White Pearl in Pictures

Posted on by Lexi Hall

If heaven on earth was adorned with fresh white, blue and light earth tone décor, it would be White Pearl, Ponta Mamoli. This private resort is set on two kilometres of uninterrupted shore on the southern coast of Mozambique. The seamless spectacle of crystal clear waters and sparkling white sand will leave you breathless. The natural beauty is unlike any other and the warmth guests feel can’t be conveyed with words. Here’s a short video of this  exquisite seaside gem.

This exclusive and intimate resort offers world class luxury seaside-living on a strip of pristine Mozambican beach that becomes one with the healing waters of the Indian Ocean. We can describe the delightful cuisine and distinctive hospitality, perhaps even the opulent accommodation that overlooks the cobalt waters… but only images can show you a place so beautiful that you find inner peace and tranquillity.

Imagine a beach paradise fit for Greek gods galloping across pearly-white sand, leaving hoof prints behind them. Except it’s you on horseback at the only resort in the area with a licence for horses. While your hair blows in the wind, the sea crashes besides you and you have to decide whether you want to explore the land that seems to rise seamlessly out of the earth or the marine life out ahead. White Pearl, Ponta Mamoli offers the ultimate luxury beach holiday, but for those of you having a hard time trying to picture this rare outpost, here are our handpicked images of this idyllic romantic retreat. Quench your wanderlust by scrolling down… until you can experience the purity of this paradise for yourself and see why this destination has earned the reputation for being a true ocean jewel.

Ocean Safaris Scuba Dive 2 Mozambique Zanzibar White Pearl