AZURA BENGUERRA AND &BEYOND BENGUERRA:
I always have the best intentions to blog about our trips and then we always end up having too much fun and then when we get back to Cape Town life seems to happen.
Now I find myself in our 9th week of a National Lockdown and all these memories keep showing on my media feeds and I realise how important it is to document your experiences in order for your clients to get a feel for a place and for your own memories.
At the last minute mid December 2019 we decided to visit Benguerra island in Mozambique with our 2 children to see what the activities and experience would be like compared to when we were there 9 years prior without children.
We decided to split our time between the 2 lodges on the island so we could experience both.
It’s an easy under 2 hour flight from Johannesburg to Vilanculos and then a quick 10 minute helicopter flight to the island. Both lodges offer free flights if staying a certain amount of nights etc.
We stayed 4 nights at Azura Benguerra. They have All Inclusive rates and they offer SA resident rates.
The rooms are beautiful with gorgeous views and your own plunge pools. We are big nature lovers so enjoyed the birds, monitor lizards and squirrels around the lodge.
The food was great and the staff are so friendly and attentive.
You are assigned your own Butler on arrival and its great how they get to know your food preferences and go the extra mile. We were assigned 2 butlers and we really enjoyed getting to know them, we especially enjoyed going to watch a Sunday soccer game and they were playing and came to greet us.
It’s a great way to get a feel for how the locals live on the Island.
We took it easy for our 4 nights at Azura as the activities are all an extra expense and we didn’t want to spend the extra money.
We then ended the trip with 3 nights at AndBeyond Benguerra.
It was a quick 20 minute drive between the 2 lodges and we were greeted to a fabulous welcome at AndBeyond Benguerra.
You are also assigned your own butler who caters to all your food needs, it can be very beneficial especially with fussy kids as they quickly recognize what they like etc.
The rooms are really gorgeous also with your own plunge pool but its set a bit further back from the beach so not a complete beach view. We enjoyed the bird life especially watching them take a dip in the pool.
Everything at AndBeyond Benguerra is fabulous, all staff are always happy to advise or help with any queries, the rooms and main areas are immaculate with so many perfect extras like speakers in the rooms, kids toys etc.
We really loved that almost all activities are included in the rates. My kids absolutely loved the horse riding on the beach and in the sea, the private picnics in remote places on the island and then our main reason for going was to see the Dugong and go snorkelling.
They went out of their way to look for a Dugong and we were very lucky to see one and then the snorkelling was great, my youngest was 6 at the time and hadn’t snorkelled from a boat before and they went in the water with her and held her hand and showed her great things.
It’s those extra things that make all the difference.
The beach bar is perfect for sunset drinks and playing cards and board games with the kids or just enjoying the time with your significant other.
The sea is very tidal so it’s good to take note of high tide and low tide so you know when it will be best to swim and when to do the other activities.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Benguerra Island and cannot wait to return, for now we have our memories to get us through these crazy times.
