Azura Lodge

Azura Lodge is Mozambiques first carbon neutral “eco” retreat situated within a National Park on the unspoilt Benguerra Island in Bazaruto’s Archipelago.

The retreat has been built by the local community (with locally sourced, sustainable materials) and is run in partnership with them. With calm turquoise seas and miles of pure white sandy beaches, it is the perfect beach break and a great place to be pampered and relax after a safari.

Each of the 15 villas, with private decks and plunge pools, stand in indigenous bush only footsteps away from the beach. The interiors are modern and spacious, with African textures that are balanced with cool contemporary cottons. All the villas are air conditioned and have double outdoor showers, large baths and a butler in attendance. The Presidential Villa has the added benefit of a sitting and dining area, a large pool and Jacuzzi.

The resort also has a luxurious spa which offers treatments based on local traditions using ingredients such as tamarind, aloe and marula oil.

Mozambique is synonymous with fresh seafood and this is reflected in the contemporary menu at Azures fine dining restaurant which overlooks the calm Indian Ocean waters, where chefs prepare mouth watering crab, prawn and crayfish dishes accompanied with locally sourced vegetables and salads. There is also a more casual dining area where guests can enjoy light lunches. For those who prefer a more private setting, a candlelit dinner or picnic can be arranged on the beach or in your villa.

Benguerra Island comprises of forest, savannah, fresh water lakes and wetland eco-systems that sustain a diverse population of fauna and flora including 140 bird species. It is a paradise for scuba divers with magnificent reefs; alive with a kaleidoscope of colours, hosting over 2000 species of fish, whales, dolphin and numerous types of coral. This is also home to the warm Indian Oceans five types of turtle that use the vast, unspoilt beaches as breeding grounds. It is also one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered Dugong (or Sea Cow), a large marine animal that was almost hunted to extinction in the 18th Century. It was often mistaken as an aquatic human and is fabled to have made bygone sea farers believe in mermaids.

Other activities include fly fishing for mackerel, deep sea fishing, sea kayaking, yacht day trips, horse riding and of course, stargazing.

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