MOZAMBIQUE: Benguerra Island

Mozambique's Benguerra Island is the largest island in the famed Bazaruto Archipelago, which was once part of the African Continent. Throughout the centuries, the low lying coastal areas were gradually swallowed up by the rising ocean until only the islands of the archipelago remained. Over the millenia Benguerra has become an island paradise. It is the perfect place for a post safari beach getaway, a romantic honeymoon, or the ultimate dive vacation.

As a renowned snorkeling and dive location, Benguerra offers visitors wonderful underwater adventures. Visitors come world wide to see the phenomenal Two-Mile Reef. The most striking of the coral reefs around Benguerra, Two-Mile reef has a sheer unspoilt beauty that hosts an astounding variety of marine life. Marine mammals thrive in the warm, nutrient rich waters that surround the archipelago. The endangered Dugong, or manatee as it is often called, survives here and draws the attention of world conservation groups and organizations, as well as researchers and specialists.

While the island is known for being a marine paradise, on land it is an exotic and tropical paradise. There are mangroves, swamp forests, vegetated sand dunes, and evergreen forest savannahs. The grasslands give way to freshwater lakes which are a testament to the island's history as being part of the mainland. Visitors are delighted by the birdlife on the island, and a lucky few spot the resident freshwater crocodiles that wallow just below the surface of the beautiful lakes.

THE BEST MONTH TO VISIT BENGUERRA ISLAND is November when the oceans are warming with the onset of summer and the prevailing winds bring a pleasant breeze to the island.

THE HIDDEN GEM of the island is the Benguerra Island Lodge, "where peace and contentment penetrate the soul." The lodge takes pride in being eco-friendly, and policy decisions are made with the marine eco-system and local populations as a priority. It is surrounded by silver beaches, coral reefs and turquoise water, and relaxation is on the top of the daily to-do list.