Benguerra Island and the Bazaruto Archipelago
Shallow sandbars, turquoise waters and white sandy beaches is what comes to mind when you think of tropical islands and this is exactly what the Bazaruto Islands have to offer. Just off the coast of Vilanculos, the Bazaruto Archipelago are made up of 4 islands with Bazaruto and Benguerra being the only 2 that have villages and lodges on them.
Benguerra Island has several remote beach lodges to choose from, all of which are luxurious and offer the best in relaxation. Azura Benguerra is our pick of some of the best beach lodges in Africa. Set on a long stretch of white sandy beach of a quiet bay, Azura Benguerra has a few different beach bungalows to choose from. Each of them is only a couple of steps from the beach and ocean and each has a private plunge pool. The service and food at Azura Benguerra are first class with only the freshest seafood and vegetables.
From any of the lodges on the Bazaruto or Benguerra Islands, guests can explore the marine park and neighboring islands. Some of the best snorkeling happens at 2-mile reef or the aquarium. Colorful tropical fish, eels, turtles and occasionally reef sharks frequent the shallow reefs making this ideal for novice snorkelers. Off the islands are several world class diving spots perfect for novices and experts alike.
As the islands sit on a sandbank that quickly drops off into the big blue depths beyond, the Bazaruto Islands offer some of the best deep-sea fishing in Africa with fishermen regularly catching tuna, barracuda, sailfish and marlin. Between the months of July and October humpbacked whales migrate past the islands and throughout the year dolphins can be seen in the shallows between the islands and mainland. The sandbars and seagrasses that line them are the only place in Africa where you can dugongs in the wild.
Guests staying at any of the luxury beach lodges have a wide range of activities to keep them busy during their stay. Alternatively, guests can simply relax on the powder white beaches. For guests that want to explore, there is horse riding along the beach, sailing, kitesurfing, traditional dhow trips, island hoping trips, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, village visits and island picnics.
Within easy reach of Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park, the Bazaruto Islands are the perfect beach destination to add onto your safari to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia or Zambia. From Vilanculos, guests can access the islands, usually by helicopter or by boat transfer.
Benguerra Island has several remote beach lodges to choose from, all of which are luxurious and offer the best in relaxation. Azura Benguerra is our pick of some of the best beach lodges in Africa. Set on a long stretch of white sandy beach of a quiet bay, Azura Benguerra has a few different beach bungalows to choose from. Each of them is only a couple of steps from the beach and ocean and each has a private plunge pool. The service and food at Azura Benguerra are first class with only the freshest seafood and vegetables.
From any of the lodges on the Bazaruto or Benguerra Islands, guests can explore the marine park and neighboring islands. Some of the best snorkeling happens at 2-mile reef or the aquarium. Colorful tropical fish, eels, turtles and occasionally reef sharks frequent the shallow reefs making this ideal for novice snorkelers. Off the islands are several world class diving spots perfect for novices and experts alike.
As the islands sit on a sandbank that quickly drops off into the big blue depths beyond, the Bazaruto Islands offer some of the best deep-sea fishing in Africa with fishermen regularly catching tuna, barracuda, sailfish and marlin. Between the months of July and October humpbacked whales migrate past the islands and throughout the year dolphins can be seen in the shallows between the islands and mainland. The sandbars and seagrasses that line them are the only place in Africa where you can dugongs in the wild.
Guests staying at any of the luxury beach lodges have a wide range of activities to keep them busy during their stay. Alternatively, guests can simply relax on the powder white beaches. For guests that want to explore, there is horse riding along the beach, sailing, kitesurfing, traditional dhow trips, island hoping trips, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, village visits and island picnics.
Within easy reach of Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park, the Bazaruto Islands are the perfect beach destination to add onto your safari to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia or Zambia. From Vilanculos, guests can access the islands, usually by helicopter or by boat transfer.