Benguerra Lodge
Benguerra Island,
Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
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BENGUERRA LODGE
- BENGUERRA ISLAND, BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO, MOZAMBIQUE
Once part of the mainland,
the Bazaruto Archipelago broke away 25,000 years
ago to form a chain of five islands. These
islands, jewels in a turquoise sea, are made
up of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque
and Santa Carolina. They lie opposite the
coastal town of Vilanculos, which is the staging
point for visitors departing to the islands for
their vacations.
Benguerra
Island is the second
biggest island in the chain and is approximately
55 square kilometres in extent. This ensures
that guests enjoy ample privacy within an idyllic
unspoiled island paradise surrounded by magnificent
beaches and, further out, pristine coral reefs. The
island, in the Bazaruto National Park, sustains a
varied array of fauna and flora including natural
forest, savannah, dunes and wetland eco-systems.
The unique freshwater lakes on the island are
indeed a reminder of ancient times when the island
was part of the mainland and still hosts a population
of freshwater crocodiles.
Benguerra is a unique, African island paradise – washed by the turquoise waters of the
warm Moçambique channel. Here we offer an individual experience, infused with personal style and the standards and service levels of a bygone safari era. The Lodge is small and intimate and has a rich East African/Arabic feel – evinced in both the décor, and the unique and delectable food, comprised largely of freshly caught seafood.
All Honeymooners receive a small gift and sparkling
wine on arrival, and a private dinner for 2 on the
beach one evening.
The Lodge is small
and intimate and has a rich East African/Arabic
feel – evinced in both the décor,
and the unique and delectable food, comprised largely
of freshly caught seafood. The 2 new
Cabana Suites (each with it’s own private deck and
dip pool/jacuzzi) and the 10 private en-suite chalets
merge naturally into the surrounding indigenous forest
and are only a moment’s walk from the gorgeous
white half-moon beach of Benguerra Bay.
The lodge staff offer
genuine hospitality, personalized service and an
intimate knowledge of the natural environment. They
are passionate about conservation and dedicated to
the involvement of the local community in sharing
and conserving the spirit of Africa.
Benguerra Lodge is
a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. The lodge has a fully equipped
dive centre and access to some of the most pristine
reefs in the world. There is also excellent
saltwater fly and deep sea fishing to be had.
Indulge yourself in countless hours of relaxation
under coconut palms, delight in the diversity of
birdlife (more than 150 species), visit the historic
freshwater lakes (and their crocodiles), sail in
a traditional Dhow and search the seas for the legendary
dugongs...
You can choose to do as much, or as little, as you
like.
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Benguerra
Lodge provides a true African beach holiday in
a remote wilderness area of Africa, reflecting
individuality, personal style, standards and service
of a bygone era – without
sacrificing modern comforts and conveniences.
The main lodge
area was completely rebuilt in
2005 and Benguerra now offers an incomparable
experience. There is a stylish Lounge, Dining
Room and Library – all
with large, sunny decks dedicated to comfort. There
are also a new Reception area and Gift Shop.
The Lodge nestles
within Benguerra Bay on the protected north-west
side of the island. The thatched main building
and the chalets that flank it merge naturally into
indigenous milkwood and acacia trees.
For those
wanting unsurpassed luxury and privacy – we
have an exclusive Villa, set apart from the rest
of the Lodge, with 2 double bedrooms and its own
private lounge/dining area with personal chef, and
its own private swimming pool.
The Lodge consists of 2 Cabanasare intimate, romantic and elegant and entice guests to indulge in island style luxury, each with its own private deck and dip pool. 10 Casitas, each with its own 100m² private wooden deck, comfortable lounge area, plunge pool and outdoor dining area for romantic starlit dinners. All the rooms are only a step away from the gorgeous white half-moon beach of Benguerra Bay.
- 2 Cabanas
- 2 x Doubles
- Luxury room built on stilts with beautiful sea views, private wooden deck and plunge pool
- Overhead fan and mosquito net
- En-suite bathroom with bath and shower
- Outdoor shower with beautiful mosaic inlays
- Mini bar with tea & coffee facilities
- Direct beach access from the deck
- 10 Casitas
- 6 Doubles, 4 Twins (Twin beds may be converted into
doubles)
- Spacious, luxurious and very private, with beautiful sea views (80m² under thatch)
- Comfortable lounge area, tastefully appointed to relax in
- 100 m² of private timber deck, with plunge pool and outdoor Gazebo for starlit dinners or private lunches
- Plantation shutter windows and doors
- Fans and mosquito net
- En-suite bathroom with exquisite copper bath
- Outdoor shower with beautiful mosaic art work
- Mini bar with tea & coffee facilities
- Direct beach access from the deck
- 1 Villa Chibuene
- Very exclusive, private Villa
- 2 bedrooms (twin or double, dependant on requirements)
- En-suite bathrooms with outdoor shower & bath
- Private kitchen/ dining area/lounge with personal chef
- Private pool and sun deck with private garden area
- 10 meters from beach
Facilities:
The
main lodge consists of a large reception area
and gift Shop, an expansive lounge and bar,
a dining room and library – all with
large wooden decks and indoor and outdoor seating
areas. There is also a swimming pool and a small spa.
The lodge has a
gorgeous, big beach and is sheltered from
bad weather. There is also a deep channel
running out to sea, so there is always
ocean access.
Dining
Meals at Benguerra are comprised largely of freshly caught seafood – with delicacies such as prawns, crab and crayfish. Traditional Moçambican cuisine, Portuguese flavours and a variety of delicious dishes make up the daily menus. Breakfast and lunch are buffet affairs, while dinner is a set menu. Guests with special dietary requirements can be individually catered for.
The island and the lodge provide a variety of settings for lunches and dinners which contribute to the magic and romance of the island experience. Guests
can enjoy sundowners in the lounge prior to dining
and there they can plan with lodge staff their
activities for the following day.
Activities
The
term "barefoot luxury" is not without
good meaning at Benguerra. Relaxation, whether
under the shade of the beach palm trees or a sunrise
walk along a receding tide-line, is the name of
the game.
Diving
To
encourage visitors to enjoy pristine reefs where
no coral bleaching has taken place, a fully equipped
dive school with Dive Instructor has been set up.
There are numerous dive sites available, including
the well-known Two-Mile Reef, where ample opportunities
exist to see many species of game and reef fish – and
to view untouched corals. After the dive a trip to
Pansy Island to collect a few rarely seen pansy shells
or to visit the South Point of Bazaruto to climb
the dune and view Two-Mile Reef from another angle.
A discussion of the day’s dive rounds off an
unforgettable experience. For the more adventurous,
there‘s the thrill of a night or wreck dive!
One of the most striking
aspects of diving the reefs off Benguerra Island
is the sheer unspoilt beauty and the variety and
abundance of marine life. While
kitting up on the boat, before you even begin your
dive, you could see batfish surfacing, a turtle rising
to take a breath before diving again, a curious whale
shark turning towards the boat (inspiring you to
momentarily abandon your dive gear to snorkel with
the biggest fish in the ocean).
Once under water
exotic reef fish abound – schooling
bannerfish, moorish idols, butterfly fish, blue striped
snappers, oriental and barred sweetlips, boxfish,
goldies, trigger fish and numerous others provide
movement among the diverse beautifully coloured corals
and sponges. Your dive buddy could be obscured
for a few moments by hundreds of fusiliers shoaling
through the coral crevices. Or it might take
a while for you to recognise a giant moray, due to
sheer size. Ribbontail rays try to hide on
the sandy bottom; Devil rays glide effortlessly along,
swooping down occasionally to rub their undersides
on the sand. Schools of kingfish are attracted
to the reef's food supply and circle divers bubbles
before moving off on their hunt. Turtles can
be seen sleeping under a ledge or feeding on a sponge,
ignoring divers in favour of indulging in a tasty
meal. White-tip, black-tip, gray reef or giant
sleeping sharks may be seen in a cave or patrolling
the perimeter of the reef. Hearing a whip like
crack indicates that a grouper has seen the divers
and has made a hasty retreat through the wall of
slender sweepers surrounding its hideout. At
the safety stop, you may have a batfish keeping you
company.
On the surface, a
pod of common or humpback dolphins may be seen
hunting mullet. The sight of a
humpback whale breaching in deeper waters is a sight
never forgotten. After the dive a trip to Pansy
Island to collect a few rarely seen pansy shells
and a discussion of the day’s dive rounds off
an unforgettable experience.
Dive
Facts
Visibility: 10m
to 30m
Water Temperature: Summer
approx. 28-30° C, Winter Lowest 22° C
Best
Diving Time: All year round
Boats: Dedicated
twin hull dive boat
Compressor: On
site
Scuba Hire: Included
in price
Dive Centre: Part
of the resort – only
guests may use facilities
Instructor: PADI
Master Scuba Diver Trainer with 14 Specialities;
NAUI Instructor; SAUU Instructor;
CMAS Instructor. No DM – Instructor takes all
dives.
Oxygen: Available
on the Island – Medical
use only – NO Nitrox
Dolphin/Whale
Encounters: Dolphin
seen regularly on dive/snorkel trips. Migrating Humpback
whales seen mainly September to November.
Dive
Equipment: 12 B.C; 12 Tanks;
12 Regulators; wetsuits; masks; fins; torches; etc.
Dive
sites: Approx
25 minutes by boat from the lodge – depth
is max 20 meters with deeper
dives 1 hour away – max 35 meters.
To
Be Seen: Abundant
reef fish, Turtle (Green, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley),
Moray, Reef shark (White
tip, Black tip, Grey Reef) Devil ray, Sting Rays
(Ribbon tail, Blue spotted) Bass
(Potato, Brindle)
Trip
to Pansy Island, Bazaruto South Point or Benguerra
North Point included in rates.
Snorkeling
Superb,
safe snorkeling can be indulged in, on the inside
of the reef, at a site aptly called "The
Aquarium". The wide variety of bejeweled fish
and extraordinarily shaped corals is breathtaking.
After snorkeling, clients are treated to a trip
to Pansy Island for shell collecting or to Bazaruto's
South Point for dune climbing. (For those of
you who don’t know how to snorkel – we
can teach you).
Dhow Cruises/Sea Kayaking
Sail
silently in a traditional Arab dhow along the coastline
in search of the island’s flamingos
or glide peacefully in the late afternoon with
sundowners in hand, to witness one of Africa's
marvels - the magnificent sunsets.
Deep Sea Fishing
The
Lodge owns four 22-foot Acecat boats ready to do
battle with a bounty of game fish and the monsters
of the deep - such as marlin and sailfish. They are
fully equipped with fighting chairs, outriggers,
safety equipment, radios, and 20-lb. fishing rods
for four fishermen. An experienced skipper and ghillie
who know the waters intimately host each boat. King-
queen- and spanish mackerel, kawakawa, many different
types of kingfish and queenfish can be caught.
A policy of "Catch and Release" is encouraged
and all boats have the necessary equipment on board
for tagging.
Saltwater Fly Fishing
The
waters around Benguerra boast some of the finest
saltwater fly fishing on the continent. Even newcomers
to fly fishing can enjoy a session out on the water
learning something new, while avid fly fishers will
revel in pursue all the above game species and sailfish.
At Benguerra Lodge,
specific attention is paid to the needs of the
angler, no matter whether he or she is experienced
or trying their hand for the first time – nor
whether the objective is shallow water flyfishing
or deep sea patrolling.
A variety of sought-after game species is available
throughout the year and flyfishers, in particular,
can enjoy fast action at times, battling it out with
a variety of Kingfish (trevally), King- and Queen
Mackerel, Kawakawa, Queenfish and Springer.
There is also the possibility of the much sought-after
Bonefish, but they are elusive and to date have only
been hooked in deeper water. Another recent development
is the capture and release of sailfish on fly.
There are currently
two flyfishing boats, High Flyer” and “Ahab”,
with experienced guides as well as four 22 ft.
fully equipped Acecats for anglers in search of
marlin and sailfish.
Angling for Kingfish
is good throughout the year, though the Giant Kingfish
is more prevalent during September to April. The
King- and Queen mackerel appear in the cooler months
from March through to August. Kawakawa fishing
picks up in late Spring through Summer (November
to June) and for any would-be bonefishers, April
to July, presents the possibility to secure an
unusual yet celebrated bonus. The
same months also provide opportunities for flyfishers
to try for the almost-uncatchable milkfish (April – July).
Springer are present all year round.
From April onwards, sailfish become more numerous
and the hot months of October to December see an
increase in the number of marlin strikes. Catch-and-release
of all species is encouraged.
Visiting flyfishers are encouraged to bring their
own gear and outfits of 8/9 weight are recommended
for most species. When targeting the GT (Giant trevally)
and sailfish on fly, a 12-weight outfit, competent
reel with good drag and plenty of backing (300m)
is required.
Very fast sinking
lines or shooting heads are standard issue for
all species, but there are times when floaters
and intermediates are preferred. Favoured fly
patterns include Clouser Minnows and Lefty’s
Deceivers, especially in chartreuse.
Picnics
Have your
own castaway picnic under the island’s
casuarinas, the South Point of Bazaruto, on Pansy
Island or Santa Carolina - or perhaps even a
secret rendezvous. There you can explore or
simply comb the deserted beaches in solitude.
Bird
watching
Because
of the diversity of habitats – coastal
dunes, open grasslands, freshwater lakes, savannah
and acacia woodlands - over 125 species of birds,
including all the sea birds, visit Benguerra Island. On
a walk or land rover trip around the island see if
you can spy the elusive crab plover…
Non-Motorized Watersports
For
the energetic and adventurous, the lodge offers kayaking,
windsurfing and hobie cat sailing, at no extra cost.
Just Plain Relaxation
It
is not, of course, necessary to do anything if you
feel the need to catch up with the soul, except lie
under a beach umbrella, sipping at an exotic beverage.
Without doubt, peace, solitude and serenity are still
regarded by us as an integral part of our own island
getaway.
Climate
Information on Benguerra
Island weather
can be found on the Mozambique
Info page.
Conservation
To
maintain the ecology and social integrity of the
Bazaruto National Park, a long-term "Multiple
Resource Use" project for the Archipelago is
under way. Benguerra Lodge subscribes to the wise
and sustainable use of the resources and contributes
financially to the project.
The lodge staff work
very closely with WWF and EWT to ensure that the
National Marine Park that surrounds us is well
maintained and remains unspoiled. Many people
enjoy the sport of fishing and so they have introduced
a ‘Catch
and Release’ policy, whereby all fish caught
are released back into the ocean. Some specimens
are tagged for research purposes.
Community
Commitment
Benguerra Lodge recognizes their responsibility
to the local community and so have established Khani
Kwedo – which
is essentially a Trust Fund for the community. With
those funds the community has already built a School
and a Community Hall. A Clinic is next on the plans.
One of our major shareholders has just donated a
Dhow to the community – so that they can freely
transport themselves and their goods for barter to
and from the mainland.
Travel
to Benguerra Lodge
Regular
scheduled flights to Vilanculos are available
from Johannesburg International Airport, Kruger Mpumalanga
International and Durban. It
is also possible to drive to Vilanculos. Vehicles
are left in safekeeping in Vilanculos, and guests
are transferred to the island. The island
is a mere 8 minute flight from Vilanculos – transfers
operated by Pelican Air (weather dependent). The
Lodge is 20 minutes drive from the airstrip.
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