Kisawa Sanctuary

OVERVIEW:

Kisawa Sanctuary is one of the finest beach properties on the East African coast. Located on the idyllic shores of Benguerra Island, Kisawa is the ultimate private escape and the epitome of understated luxury and elegant design. Mozambique is a world-class beach destination, with its archipelagos offering untouched reefs, azure waters, and white sandy beaches. The marine life here is spectacular, with first-rate scuba and snorkelling, and the site is also a haven for humpback whales who come here to breed in the months of July to October. Watching these magnificent mammals rise from the water with their plumes is quite a display! There is a real emphasis on wellness at Kisawa Sanctuary – it’s a place of great calm with an amazing spa, yoga studio, fitness suite and array of treatments and rebalancing rituals .

The beautiful, air-conditioned suites are all spacious, with chic décor and private infinity pools opening out onto remote beaches and picture-perfect seas. This is the ultimate place to unwind, but for those who enjoy a few activities there’s also plenty to do. There are many watersports, cultural and culinary experiences (the food is first rate), and you even have an electric Mini Moke jeep included with your suite to explore the vast property! Kisawa Sanctuary is easily accessible from Jo’burg, making it a superb add-on to a Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe safari, and a fantastic honeymoon destination. It’s the perfect place to be refreshed and experience the beauty of your own idyllic Indian Ocean hideaway.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Benguerra Island is located approximately 14 kilometres off the coast of southern Mozambique. It forms part of the Bazaruto Archipelago, a stunning collection of islands, with the nearby National Marine Park home to some of the richest seas for biodiversity in the Indian Ocean. It’s one of the best diving spots in the world. Kisawa Sanctuary has a private setting in a 300 hectare area of beach, forest, and sand dunes on the southernmost point of Benguerra Island. It’s a magical place, there are very few people around, so you really do feel like you have the place to yourself!

The lodge is accessed by scheduled aircraft from Johannesburg into Vilanculos in Mozambique (1.5hrs) and then it’s a short helicopter flight onto the island. You can make this transfer by boat, but would need to chat to your consultant to arrange this.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT KISAWA SANCTUARY:

There are eight ‘residences’ at Kisawa, which include one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom suites (a total of 14 bedrooms). They are all super-exclusive and come with butler service and the option of in-room dining, so you can be as self-contained as you choose. Each suite is very spacious, astonishingly comfortable, and you can tell a lot of care has gone into their simple yet elegant design. All the suites have amazing ocean views that vary as the dunes naturally shift, plus a private infinity pool, and outdoor lounge and decking area. The room features cater for all possible comforts: pure cotton linen, climate control, smart TV, Wi-Fi, electronic safe, mini-bar. There’s a careful balance in design that combines contemporary style with Mozambican touches; in fact much of the artwork has been produced by islanders who have gone on to become staff members. Kisawa has a fantastically dedicated and friendly team of staff, which makes your stay all the more special.

The communal parts of the property are wonderfully designed to make the most of the stunning beach wilderness that surrounds you, whether that be the perfect spot to watch the waves crash onto the shore below you, or the sun slipping below the horizon from the top of a windblown dune. The food is first rate, served from four ‘outlets’ of varying style and cuisines, dotted around the property: think of them like your own restaurants, but there’s no bill at the end of the meal! The main swimming pool is large and looks out to sea, the spa and yoga facilities are the kind of spaces that relax you when you walk into them – everything here is designed to make you feel at peace. And with the warm breeze and the sound of the ocean too, it’s ideal for some serious pampering.

ACTIVITIES AT KISAWA SANCTUARY:

Despite everything being set up for a glorious time doing nothing, a host of activities is on offer at Kisawa! Please note that some activities come at extra cost, payable locally. Those included are: paddle boarding, sea kayaking, snorkelling, a dhow cruise, and sunset sailing. Below are some of the highlights, but when you arrive at Kisawa there are so many little extra things to do, which will be a lovely surprise (such as sleeping out beneath the stars!).

• Marine activities

  – Visit Flamingo Beach, where these graceful birds congregate on the flats. Kayak through mangroves, where all manner of wildlife can be found. There’s amazing snorkelling, and at Kisawa there are three ‘house reefs’ that are easily accessible, or you can go farther afield and visit one of the local islands. This is a real hotspot for diving, as it’s home to the ‘Big Ocean Five’, and there are multiple stunning locations available. Kisawa is closely linked with a marine research centre and guests can even get involved if interested. If you would like to know more about diving, please chat with your specialist and they can advise. With vast swathes of pristine beach, Kisawa is very cool for kite-surfing, and you can do courses from beginner level if you’re new to the sport.

• Whale watching

  – As part of their annual migration route, humpback whales congregate in this marine area, with the warm seas the perfect temperature for breeding. You can often see them with their calves. The best time for whale watching is July to October.

• Birding

  – An afternoon walk can also bring with it a little safari! There are over 150 species of bird native to Benguerra Island. So you can take a guided tour of the island and see some fascinating tropical species.

• Cultural trips

  – Head out to Vilanculos for a guided tour of this bustling coastal town. There are markets here, as well as a great culture of craft making. You can visit the Boa Gente gallery, or have something fitted by a local tailor! There are also some smaller local villages you can visit, meeting the people who call this beautiful island their home.

• Dhows and fishing

  – The dhow is a traditional wooden boat that is classic to East Africa. Have sundowners on board as the captain takes you on a sunset cruise! The deep sea fishing (and fly fishing) here is epic. Kisawa operates a catch-and-release policy, and there are plenty of areas where you are all but guaranteed to catch something on your line.

• Helicopter flights

  – This is a spectacular way of seeing the breadth of the archipelago from the sky. You can stop off at plenty of places for picnics. It’s an incredible thing to do during whale season. Flights come at extra cost and need to be pre-booked.