Azura Benguerra Lodge

Azura Benguerra was built entirely by hand by the local community and is operated in partnership with them. It has just 20 villas each with a Private Mozambican host service for the duration of the guests stay. The handbuilt villas blend modern chic with all that is traditional in Mozambique. They offer discerning guests every comfort of a luxury beach getaway in an un-spoilt paradise. A kaleidoscope of colour greets guests above and below the ocean. Magnificent reefs for diving and snorkelling, home to the turtles that nest on the island’s outer shores. Migrating humpback whales, dolphins, and the elusive and protected dugong ply these waters, along with marlin, sailfish and tuna to tempt the sports fishermen. The local people make for fascinating cultural encounters, and the starry night sky is quite magnificent to behold. This is truly a place to get away from all the hassle of modern life.

Accommodation
Azura Benguerra Lodge offers luxurious accommodation on Benguerra Island in handcrafted villas which blend modern chic with all that is traditional in Mozambique.

Standard Villas
Each of the 20 villas is just footsteps from the beach, yet designed with seclusion in mind. Nestled amidst indigenous gardens, they form a private sanctuary, with a personal infinity swimming pool and spectacular beach-side view. The villas feature handcrafted king-size beds, bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, air-conditioning, daybeds, lounging decks and salas right on the beach. They were designed for the ultimate getaway in this magnificent beach paradise.

Royal Beach Villa
Azura has 2 Royal Beach Villas, they feature infinity edge pools and magnificent sea views. They are 172 square metres, making them the largest and most lavish of all the villas, with 30 metres of picturesque beach frontage on a large beautifully landscaped plot. They are located at the northern end of the property, ensuring the utmost privacy and uninterrupted views. They offer the next level of comfort with even more outdoor space for the discerning Azura guest to enjoy. The main bedroom and bathroom area is similar to the existing Infinity Beach Villas but has a lounge area connected via a walkway with glass sliding doors, and is surrounded by indigenous gardens. The lounge comprises comfortable sofas around a flat-screen television and has its bathroom, as well as a tea/coffee area with a minibar and Nespresso. Outdoor areas are astounding, offering a 10m rim-flow pool with a Jacuzzi on the one end, and a poolside sitting pavilion on the other, from which guests have access straight into the pool. The villa also has a double daybed under a latte roof, as well as a single daybed on the deck, dining area, and beachside sala, all of which are perfect for relaxing and enjoying your own private space.

Villa Amizade
Villa Amizade means friendship in the native Portuguese. This 2 bedroom en-suite villa is located at the western end of the property, with fantastic views out to sea and towards the setting sun. It is perfect for families or couples requiring more space and facilities. It offers a sitting area with a flat-screen TV, DVD, Bose Sound Dock and a selection of games, opening onto extensive decking, dining and relaxation areas, including a ‘wine bar’. You can opt for private chef service, available at a supplement. All the normal Azura design touches and finishes. Maximum occupancy 5 people including children.

Presidential Villa
The Presidential Villa at Azura Benguerra has been described as one of the best villas anywhere in the Indian Ocean. It has a very secluded private location, some 150m down the beach from the main Azura, and comes with its Butler-host and private chef. The epitome of style and luxury, with unique décor, there are 3 en-suite bedrooms, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, a media room, a sitting/dining area with a ‘wine bar’, and a huge infinity pool spanning the front of the villa. It is located just footsteps from the beach at the end of our property to ensure maximum privacy, with a fantastic treehouse to catch the afternoon breezes and panoramic views to Bazaruto Island and the Indian Ocean beyond.

Activities
Azura Benguerra offers a myriad of ways to enjoy this beautiful island and the world beneath the waves while enjoying a fabulous luxury Mozambique holiday.

Diving
The reefs in the Bazaruto Archipelago are abundant with a variety of fish and corals and offer a range of depths and reef topography to suit beginner and experienced divers and snorkellers alike. Azura is positioned closest to the reefs and hence access is quick and easy. Marine life and corals are often cited as the best off the East Coast of Africa. Azura has a PADI 5 Star Dive Centre with new top of the range Scubapro equipment. The training pool is perfect for refreshing diving skills or even trying out snorkelling before heading off to the reefs, and for training, they offer a full range of courses and have a PADI Instructor.

Guided Island Hopping
This is a fantastic day out and Azura’s signature activity! Snorkelling at Two Mile Reef, where there are hundreds of species of tropical fish, rays, invertebrates, the possibility of sea turtle, and dolphin, humpback whale in season and possibly a dugong…

After snorkelling, arrive at Pansy Island for a tantalising picnic lunch. This Pansy Island is an isolated sandbar nestled between Bazaruto Island and the Mozambique Channel. Enjoy Pansy Island at leisure, bask in the sun, laze around on cushions and beanbags, and swim in the cool clear deep waters. From here it’s a short hop to Bazaruto Island, where we hike up Bazaruto Dune. An easy climb to the top offers unsurpassed 360-degree panoramic views of the Bazaruto Archipelago reef system. For photography enthusiasts, this location is a must!

Fishing
The Bazaruto Archipelago has some of the best big game, reef and bill fishing in the Indian Ocean. Species include Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna/Bonito, King/Queen Mackerel, Prodigal Son, Wahoo, Dorado, and Barracuda. Giant Trevally (GT’s), the local speciality, often top the scales above 25kg. Azura caters for beginner and experienced fishermen/women alike and operates a strict tag and release policy on protected species.

Dhow Cruise
A sunset dhow cruise is a beautiful ending to a day on the water, with views over the archipelago and a chance to experience the local mode of water transport.