Azura Benguerra

a genuinely cool beach retreat

Azura Benguerra Island is located on Benguerra Island in the Bazaruto area of southeast Mozambique.

The lodge is centred on a pair of stylish buildings under shaggy thatch.

Guest accommodation is in a total of twenty Villas in six specifications, all with air-conditioning.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Azura Benguerra is in a total of 20 rooms, all of which are rather chic, are on the beachfront, have private plunge pools, butler service and air-conditioning. There are six different specifications …

Beach Villas : x3 : The entry level rooms are slightly smaller, but really are very pleasant indeed.

Luxury Beach Villas : x3 : A little bit larger with 100 square metres under the roof and 450 square metres private area.

Infinity Beach Villas : x10 : Slightly larger again, with 110 square metres under the roof and 650 square metres private area

Royal Beach Villas : x2 : These rooms are substantially larger at 172 square metres under the roof, a ten metre private swimming pool and a large separate lounge area with sofas that can be converted into beds for two children. There is also a private dining area, so the guests can enjoy complete privacy if they wish. The rooms are at the north end of the lodge and are therefore quite remote and secluded, with large private gardens and 30 metres of beachfront.

Villa Amizade : x1 : This suite has all the facilities listed above, but has two separate bedrooms and is suitable for groups of up to five guests.

Presidential Villa : x1 : One of the finest private beach facilities in the region, this self-contained annex with three bedrooms suitable for up to six guests. It comes with a private host and chef, a lounge bar and a large swimming pool and raised sundowner deck. It has 425 square metres under the roof and 1075 square metres of private area.

Activities

Azura Benguerra provides access to the following activities, not all of which are usually included in the room rate …

• Diving (not included)
• Snorkelling
• Kayaking
• Paddle-boarding
• Whale watching
• Sailing
• Island walks
• Bird-watching
• Horse-riding
• Trips to Benguerra Island

Bazaruto is one of the best beach areas in southern Africa and can work well in combination with safari in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Malawi.

The usual stay duration is 4-10 nights, with longer trips typically being split across two lodges in the area.

Seasonality

The Bazaruto area is at its best during the May-Nov dry season, but there are good reasons to visit during other months.

Getting there

Access to this whole Bazaruto area is via the airport at Vilanculos, a good sized town in the midst of these beaches.

The primary flight access is via Johannesburg. If you are coming in from safari in countries other than South Africa, there is a good chance that you will need to overnight at one of the airport hotels on the way through.

From the airport at Vilanculos, it is a motorboat ride of around 30 minutes or a helicopter ride of around 10 minutes out to the island and the lodge.

fabulous safari and beach combinations