Azura Benguerra
Azura Benguerrra is Mozambique's first luxury 'eco' retreat. Built entirely by hand by the local community who are major stakeholders, this boutique hotel has just 20 stylish villas, each with their own infinity pool and designed for both pampering and barefoot escapism.
One of the few resorts where the community are major stakeholders, Azura Benguerra holds the local community and surrounding ocean at the centre of all they do.
This boutique hotel exudes a “Mozambican Chic” style, with just 20 thatched villas set slightly back in the bush ensuring privacy but with views directly onto the beach, over the villas private pool and tsala. Accommodation options comprises a combination of one, two and three bedroom villas and are attended by a personal host who caters to guests every need. The Beach Villa is set at the far end of the beach and is a great option for those who are more budget-conscious, whilst the Presidential 3-bedroom Villa is your Mozambican home from home with it’s own chef as well as butler and a generous 16m pool.
The main areas of Azura Benguerra encapsulates the warm Mozambican hospitality, with an open sided restaurant, beautiful star bar and well stocked library. The Padi accredited Dive Centre is suited to all levels of divers and bubblemakers for children. Diving is a particular love of the owners and the location of Azura Benguerra is well suited for accessing some of the best reefs in the area.
Many of the activities at Azura Benguerra on offer are focused around the sea and reefs of Benguerra Island. Guests can snorkel, dive or fish the waters which are abundant with marine life. There are many magnificent reefs which provide a home to the turtles that nest on the island’s outer shores. Watch the sunset whilst sailing on a traditional dhow, or cruise to deserted beaches to look for pansy shells. Gaze at the dolphins, who are regular visitors to the beach, or track down humpback whales on their migration past the island’s shores (seasonal). On land, towering sand dunes give way to indigenous bush abundant with local flora and fauna, an interesting variety of birdlife, as well as the odd crocodile or two at the lakes. The island’s local people make for fascinating cultural encounters, and the starry night sky is quite magnificent to behold.
Guests tend to gather each evening in the funky Star Bar before the evening meal is served either in the open-fronted dining room or on the beach.