Bazaruto & Benguerra Islands, Mozambique

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The Benguerra Archipelago, of which Bazaruto and Benguerra are the largest islands, lies just off the Mozambique coast near Vilanculos. Here you will find empty white sandy beaches, lush vegetation and an azure blue sea for swimming amongst the rich coral life. These idyllic island retreats are laid-back, romantic and peaceful. Most of the focus is on enjoying the unspoilt marine environment.

Choose Bazaruto or Benguerra island if you are looking for a Mozambique beach holiday or honeymoon with an other-worldly ambience. The small resort lodges complement the personalised experience of a luxury safari camp. Even the busier mainland resorts offer a glimpse into a slower, less commercially pressured way of life, where time is measured by the moon and tides and happiness is a good catch!

The protected reefs surrounding the Benguerra islands of Mozambique support dolphin, the rare dugong, game fish and giant lobster. The shallow, crystal-clear waters offer spectacular safe snorkelling and diving protected by the dazzling soft coral reefs. Thrill-seekers can experience the exhilaration of big game fishing, fighting marlin (between October and March) as well as barracuda, kingfish, tuna and sailfish amongst others.

On the Benguerra islands themselves a mosaic of forest, savanna and saltwater lakes sustains a diversity of flora and fauna. Birders will not be disappointed with over 125 species recorded including the rare crab plover, olive bee-eater, green coucal, narina trogan and Paradise flycatchers.

Overall there are no shops, no real roads and very few vehicles. If you want a cosmopolitan bustling resort experience, then the Benguerra islands of Mozambique are not for you!

Bazaruto or Benguerra Island versus the Quirimbas?

Choose the Bazaruto and Benguerra Islands if you:
• Are looking for a beach resort to combine easily with your Kruger Safari as there are direct flights from Kruger Airport.
• Don’t have so much time and so need to get to your beach lodge with relative ease
• Want to combine diving with other activities such as island visits, dhow cruises, deep sea fishing

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