Azura Benguerra Island
Bazaruto Archipelago

The epitome of African eco-chic, Azura Benguerra is set within Bazaruto National Park on the squeaky white beaches and turquoise waters of Bazaruto island, reached via speedboat or an exhilarating 15-minute helicopter flight from Vilanculos. With regular flights to Vilanculos from Johannesburg and Kruger in South Africa, it is a perfect post-safari beach resort.

Built by hand by the local community, Azura Benguerra has 20 spacious thatched villas, each with its own plunge pool and sun deck just steps from the beach. A blend of understated modern cool and traditional Mozambique accents, villas come with handcrafted king size beds, bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, air-conditioning and their own personal Mozambican host to cater to all your needs.

There are 3 Beach Villas (perfect for honeymooners in a secluded spot close to the spa), 3 Luxury Beach Villas, 10 Infinity Beach Villas (which have the best beachfront location), 2 Royal Beach Villas (the largest and most lavish of the villas), the 2-bedroom Villa Amizade (the perfect family villa) and the  Presidential Villa, a splendid 3- bedroom complex with a split-level master suite, a 16-metre infinity pool and a sun deck with a lounge in a treehouse!

With the Indian Ocean as your playground, you can explore magnificent reefs snorkelling and scuba diving (there is a 5 Star Padi dive centre) and see turtles that nest on the island’s outer shores. Humpback whales are often seen in season (May-Oct) and, if you are lucky, the highly endangered dugong may make an appearance. Guests can also go big game fishing and salt water fly fishing, try paddle boarding, sail a dhow boat, enjoy private beach picnics, or explore the island on a Land Rover. For extra pampering head to the spa for soothing treatments using traditional African ingredients.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson