Catchy title, eh ?

Benguerra Lodge is running 2 great deals for the whole of 2011.

You can stay for 4 nights and only pay for 3 if time is short, or if you want longer relaxing on the white beaches, why not stay 8 nights and only pay for 6.

Benguerra Lodge is small and intimate and has a rich East African / Arabic feel – both in the decor, and the unique and delectable food, comprised largely of freshly caught seafood. The lodge is situated on Benguerra Island, in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the most beautiful places on the African continent, complete with azure waters, sandy beaches, palm trees, and pristine coral reefs with tropical fish. Declared a National Park in 1971, the archipelago boasts among its wildlife 180 species of birds, endemic butterflies, Suni antelope and freshwater crocodile. The protected reefs and beaches support dolphin, dugong, game fish, giant lobster and several species of marine turtle.

Vamizi Island Lodge has a great pre and post Christmas special to tempt you away from the cold to the sunny Mozambique beaches.

Not only can you stay for 4 nights and receive 2 complimentary nights, but you will also be able to enjoy 1 complimentary introductory dive (normally worth U$75 per person) as well as 1 complimentary spa treatment of your choice (normally worth U$60 per person).

This offer is only valid between 1 – 15 December 2010 and 15 – 31 January 2011, as the lodge is already fully booked over Christmas and New Year itself.

A slender coral island just off Mozambique’s remote northern coast, Vamizi Island is part of the Quirimbas Archipelago, sometimes called the new Maldives. The island’s near perfect white coral beaches and breathtakingly beautiful shallows are just the tip of the tropical iceberg. Beneath the surface of the Vamizi seas is an outstanding reefscape – mountains, valleys, plateaux and cliffs, teeming with a bewildering amount of sea life – from whales, dolphins, turtles and reef sharks to Gregorian corals and giant clams. Some of the dives here are said to be the best in the world.

Azura is Mozambique’s first luxury ‘eco’ boutique retreat. Built entirely by hand by the local community and operated in partnership with them, it has just 14 villas, each with their own infinity pool and designed for both pampering and barefoot escapism. There is also a spa, with 2 double treatment rooms located right on the beach and open to the breezes.

Guests here recently have been lucky enough to enjoy the company of some special visitors … .3 humpback whales are currently residing in the ocean just a short way from the island. Snorkelling and diving trips have meant guests get really close up to these gentle giants of ocean.

Other exciting ocean sightings include the elusive dugongs, baby manta rays, eagle rays and sharks.

Despite being a natural honeymoon destination, Azura is also very popular with families, and they have a new specific kiddies programme to keep the youngsters happy while their parents relax and enjoy the pure white sand and sparkling turquoise seas that Azura is famed for. Click on the link below to read more about what is on offer for families :

Children’s Programme

Finally, as already mentioned, Azura are very active within the local community, and they have just opened the island’s only school which they have built, helped by many guests who have generously contributed to Azura’s Rainbow Fund. Not only do the children have a brand new school building but they will soon be smartly kitted out in school uniform donated by one of the guests.

Stay for 4 nights and only pay for 3 at Pestana Inhaca Lodge, just 40 km off the coast of Mozambique.

The lodge is situated on Inhaca Island, a small inhabited island lying just 40 km off the Mozambican capital of Maputo and positioned at the entrance to Delagoa Bay, and easily accessible by boat, ferry or small plane from Maputo.

The island is a great destination for anyone who wants to enjoy the relaxed rhythms of a small, semitropical, Indian Ocean island.

The Pestana Inhaca Lodge is situated on the beach front, amongst coconut palm groves and luxuriant tropical vegetation. There are a total of 40 en-suite rooms situated amidst exotic gardens. All the rooms have air-conditioning and ceiling fans.

Activities that can be enjoyed during a stay at the hotel include water skiing, wind surfing, snorkelling, sailing boat trips, walking trails, excursions to the lighthouse and the Museum of Marine Biology, as well as visits by boat to Portuguese Island, Santa Maria Island and Turtle Island, fishing and whale watching. The outdoor salt water swimming pool is ideal for relaxing around, or for the more energetic there is a fitness room and a tennis court.

For families, the Kids Club provides entertainment for younger guests, and there is also a games room complete with table tennis, pool table, darts and table games, and a TV room.

A new single entry visa is being piloted, in preparation for visitors coming over to South Africa for the World Cup.

This will mean that people wanting to travel to not just South Africa, but the neighbouring countries too (Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland) will only need one visa to cover all countries.

Mozambique is the first country who intend introducing the single visa, known as Univisa. The visa is primarily aimed at tourists from Europe and the United States.

Stay for 6 nights for the price of 5 at Vamizi Island Lodge in Quirimbas Archipelago. All meals, soft drinks, local beers and spririts, guided activities, one scuba dive per day and boat transfers are included.

A slender coral island just off Mozambique’s remote northern coast, Vamizi Island’s near perfect white coral beaches and breathtakingly beautiful shallows are just the tip of the tropical iceberg.

Beneath the surface of the Vamizi seas is an outstanding reefscape – mountains, valleys, plateaux and cliffs, teeming with a bewildering amount of sea life – from whales, dolphins, turtles and reef sharks to Gregorian corals and giant clams.

Some of the dives here are said to be the best in the world, and the deep sea fishing better than the whole East African coast. Other water activities include snorkelling trips, castaway picnics, whale watching expeditions, and trips out in kayaks and traditional dhows.

Valid for travel between 1 February 2010 and 31 December 2010. Some exclusion dates apply.

Stay for 5 nights at Dugong Beach Lodge in Vilanculos and enjoy the following all included within your rate :

All meals; FREE Return boat transfer; FREE return flights (including airport taxes) from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport; All non-motorised water sport PLUS one of the following activities :

Dhow Cruise OR Sundowner Cruise OR 2 hour Guided Trail OR Nature Drive including Worlds View and fishing village OR Complimentary 30 minute massage or beauty treatment of your choice.

Valid for travel between 1 February 2010 and 31 October 2010.

Dugong is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline of Mozambique, within one of the most unique marine and wildlife sanctuaries – ‘The Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary’. A typical day begins with a lovely breakfast savoured amidst the tranquil surroundings of nature. Water sport enthusiasts can look forward to an array of activities, including salt water fly fishing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, pedal boats and kayaks. Shallow and deepwater reefs reveal beautiful creatures such as great and leatherback turtles, sailfish and manta ray, to name a few.

We are pleased to announce that our Mozambique travel guide is now available online and features details, photos, and prices for a number of fantastic beach lodges in Bazaruto and a few other locations around the country.

Mozambique’s palm-fringed tropical beaches are an ideal extra stop for honeymooners visiting one of the safari lodges in the Kruger National Park as there are direct flights  from Nelspruit to Vilancoulos where you can be transferred by boat on small plane to the lodge of your choice. 

There are also direct flights back to Johannesburg from Vilancoulos , making this both a romantic and convenient way to end your holiday or honeymoon.