andBeyond Benguerra Island

Overview

andBeyond Benguerra Island is set on Benguerra, the second-largest island in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, a protected marine reserve scattered along the country’s southern coast. The lodge is reached from Vilanculos by helicopter or catamaran, with the journey itself offering an introduction to the archipelago’s extraordinary landscape of clear turquoise water, shifting sandbanks and uninhabited islands. Hidden beneath indigenous forest and coconut palms, the lodge is deliberately understated, allowing the natural character of Benguerra to take centre stage rather than competing with it.

The lodge comprises ten casinhas, two cabanas and Casa Familia, a three-bedroom private villa designed for families or groups travelling together. Each accommodation has its own timber deck and private rim-flow pool, as well as a sala with a hanging daybed that invites long, unhurried afternoons. Interiors combine polished timber, natural textures and warm East African influences, with open-plan layouts that make the most of the tropical setting. Casa Familia offers a heightened level of privacy, with its own lounge and dining spaces and a private chef, making it possible to enjoy the island almost entirely on your own terms while still having access to the facilities and experiences of the main lodge.

The waters surrounding Benguerra are where the destination truly comes into its own. As part of a protected marine conservation area, the archipelago supports an impressive range of species, from dolphins and sea turtles to humpback whales that migrate through the region between June and October. Whale sharks are more commonly seen between December and March, while the waters are also home to one of the last remaining populations of dugongs, the shy and increasingly rare marine mammals that have become closely associated with the Bazaruto Archipelago. Through its Oceans Without Borders initiative, andBeyond supports conservation programmes designed to protect these waters and the wildlife that depends on them.

There are numerous ways to experience the marine environment. Guided snorkelling excursions reveal colourful reef life close to shore, while the lodge’s dive centre opens access to deeper reefs and underwater habitats. The island itself is equally rewarding to explore, with indigenous forest giving way to open savannah, freshwater lakes and wetlands. Together, these varied habitats support approximately 140 recorded bird species, adding another dimension to the island’s wildlife experience.

Time at andBeyond Benguerra follows a distinctly slower rhythm. A sunset dhow cruise offers one of the most atmospheric ways to experience the archipelago, aboard the traditional sailing boats that have been used by local fishermen for generations. Guests can also kayak across calm stretches of water, head out for a castaway picnic on a secluded sandbank or simply spend an afternoon moving between the beach and pool without anywhere else to be.

Horseback riding along the shoreline is another signature experience, with guided coastal rides offering an intimate way to explore Benguerra’s beaches and dunes. For a deeper connection with island life, a village visit and island expedition are included once during each stay, offering insight into the communities that live here and the traditional farming and fishing practices that remain part of everyday life.

What makes andBeyond Benguerra Island distinctive is the balance between exceptional natural surroundings and an uncomplicated approach to luxury. The experience is less about filling each day with activities and more about being present in a remarkable marine environment. From the possibility of seeing a dugong or whale shark offshore to walking barefoot along an empty beach at sunset, Benguerra offers a rare combination of wilderness, privacy and the simple pleasure of island life.