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Escape...
‘Paradise’ is an over-used word – but Azura
Benguerra is the definition
Words Trevor Crighton
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H
oliday breaks to Mozambique are
about getting away from it all –
unassuming beach dwellings on
obscure coastal stretches, fresh seafood
over coals from the local market, cold 2M’s
and blazing sunsets. They’re special – but
if you’re looking for ‘extra special’, then
look no further than Azura Benguerra.
You’ll sample all of the above, but
in a super-luxurious setting that allows
for total relaxation – and then some.
A short, 80-minute hop from Kruger
Mpumalanga International Airport to
Vilanculos on an Airlink flight and then a
stunning 10-minute Archipelago Charters
helicopter ride across the bay to tiny
Benguerra island makes reaching paradise
simple. The helicopter flight highlights the
azure waters and confirms the seclusion
of the island – and relaxation begins, the
second you land. Bags are dispatched to
your room, welcome drinks are on hand
after crunching down the shell-lined path
to the reception area, and enjoyed on the
deck, with uninterrupted rolling wave
views.
The team at Azura Benguerra are
attentive without being fussy and are
great at keeping tabs on favourite drinks
and dietary requirements and aren’t shy of
suggesting new things to try. Each group
is assigned a host who will cater for every
whim during your stay – looking after you
at meals, bringing the cocktail of the day
to your room for a private sundowner
session and even setting up the most
spectacular ‘wet sand dinners’ on the
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Azura Benguerra Beach Villa.
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beach, surrounded by palm fronds and
lanterns, with all the trappings of a starred
restaurant meal. The food is beautifully
presented and makes the best of local
seafood. Sneakily strong caipirinhas are
the order of the day, whether dining in the
Jellyfish Restaurant or lounging waterside.
The team at the bar will be only too
happy to show you how to play Txusha
– a strategic board game which sees you
move cleverly to capture your opponent’s
shells – though they won’t go easy on
you, either! Meals are inclusive, as are an
impressive array of drinks, from spirits to
wine and cocktails to champagne.
There are just 18 villas at Azura
Benguerra – each with a private pool,
indoor and outdoor showers, day beds,
double vanities… The list goes on and
on. They are also suitably ‘green’. Built by
hand by local builders who were specially
trained, a fleet of local dhows were
used to transport the materials. Natural
elements such as thatched jekka roofs
and sustainable wood were used in their
design. Inside, the showers are heated by
solar power and grey-water is used for
irrigation.
The Presidential Villa has its own
helipad and comes with a host and chef
– you and your five guests needn’t make
the 150m trek down the beach to the
restaurant and bar area to mingle with
the plebs if you don’t want to. And why
would you, when you could lounge in the
wine bar, loll in the massive infinity pool or
shoot the breeze in your own treehouse,
with panoramic views of the Indian
Ocean and adjacent Bazaruto Island?
The Infinity Beach Villas – close enough
to the reception area for a quick stroll to
dinner, but far enough away to ensure
privacy – offer a spectacular base for your
getaway. Sitting on the deck, sipping your
hand-delivered cocktail as the sun dips
below the horizons of first your private
plunge pool and then the Indian Ocean is
a great way to end any day and also a test
of willpower ahead of a return to the real
world.
As tempting as it is never to leave
From top to bottom: Inside a Luxury Beach Villa; a stylish
outdoor shower; a private beach sala
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your luxurious villa, there are plenty of
excursion opportunities – scuba diving,
snorkeling in the clearest of waters off
‘2 Mile Reef’, dune climbing on Bazaruto
for spectacular 360 degree views, a
sumptuous beach picnic on Benguerra’s
North Point Beach and even a visit to
the local school, which Azura supports
through their Rainbow Fund, which
currently supports the education of 400
children on the island. Manager Faizel has
made the Rainbow Fund his pet project
and speaks as passionately about helping
to build the local school and supporting
the local dance troupe which performs
for visitors on the beach on Saturday
evenings as he does when giving the
most comprehensive stargazing talk I’ve
ever experienced. Everyone on the team
at Azura Benguerra is passionate about
their work and accommodating, to a
fault. Even the ladies in the spa are superenthusiastic as they wage what appears
to be a personal vendetta against tense
muscles. You’ll leave Azura Benguerra
completely relaxed – the only thing you’ll
be thinking about is how you can make
more time to return.
INFO www.azura-retreats.com
FLYING TO AND FROM VILANCULOS:
Airlink – The regional feeder airline offers
a wide network of regional and domestic
flights within Southern Africa and operates
as a franchisee to SAA.
Route Specific Information: Direct
scheduled flights between Johannesburg
and Vilanculos as well as from Nelspruit to
Vilanculos, offering a same day bush and
beach experience.
Connectivity: Through an alliance with
SAA, travellers can conveniently connect
with SAA, their partner airlines and other
carriers throughout Southern Africa and the
world.
Frequent Flyer Programme: Airlink is a
member of South African Airways (SAA)
Loyalty programme – Voyager.
Flight Bookings: Online, booking agent or
SAA Central Reservations (011) 978 1111,
www.flyairlink.com
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The hotel’s Star Bar.
The private Presidential Villa looks like its own resort.