Benguerra Lodge

Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2012!

2011-12-23T02:35:00.000-08:00

This has been another year full of excitement and memorable experiences, from the sub-arctic fur seal who visited us, to turtles nesting on the beach and numerous other very special moments.

Thank you to all our guests with whom we could share these special moments.

We would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a very prosperous 2012

1st Marlin on Fly!

2011-11-07T01:48:00.000-08:00

The request was simple... Duncan and Hayley Carson, just wanted a short fishing trip in Benguerra bay.

However the experience they received far surpassed their wildest expectations, when they caught 3 small Marlin in one morning with Graham Pollard our fishing guide!

Duncan got the first Marlin on fly, which was a first for Benguerra Lodge, and Hayley landed the other 2 on light tackle.

Congratulations guys, this is really an amazing accomplishment!

She swam 2400 km to visit us!

2011-10-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

In June this year, a seal was spotted on Benguerra Island, which was very exciting for all of us, as never before has anyone spotted a seal in the Archipelago.

We were all curious as to where the seal might have come from and contacted the conservation program 50/50 for some advice. They in turn put us in touch with Greg Hofmeyer a Marine Mammal Biologist from Bayworld in Port Elizabeth.

Now the story gets even more exciting! Greg confirmed that our seal was in fact not a Cape Fur seal as we originally thought, but a Subantartic fur seal, which makes it even more special, as they are protected seals in South Africa. These seals are identified by their unique colouring (pale chest and face with a dark back), from the picture he was also able to establish that it was an adult female in very good condition.

Subantartic fur seals come from several islands in the Southern Oceans and the most likely home island for our seal is the Price Edward Group of Islands, which includes Marion Island. This is about 2400km away.

Of all the seal species, the Subantartic fur seals are the most likely to wander far afield, and some have been spotted as far north as Zanzibar. There has been very few reported sightings in Mozambique, but our sighting is the second one this year.

Even more amazing is the fact that our seal is an adult female, as it is usually the immature animals or the young males who wander far off.

The seal was only on Benguerra Island for one day. We feel privileged that she chose our island for a stop over. We wish her well on her endurance swim, who knows, she might have reached Zanzibar by now.

1st Close-up whale encounter on a dive

2011-09-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

Guests Alfredo and Ornella, both keen divers who visited us last week, received the adventure treat of a lifetime, when after a spectacular dive, just as they were getting back into the diving boat, they noticed a Humpback whale and her calf swimming in the water underneath them. Luckily Ornella had her camera ready to capture this once in a lifetime moment and share it with us.

During their visit, they enjoyed a couple of special experiences, including a Manta Ray sighting on Fossil Reef, and one afternoon, while sea kayaking in the bay, a pod of dolphins started playfully swimming around them.

Congratulations Lucy on your 3rd Sailfish!

2011-08-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

In Lucy Campbell Jones, our resident riding guide's own words: "We had an incredible day targeting Yellow Fin Tuna that were feeding on the surface. Towards the end of the morning whilst Graham was fighting yet another tuna I got the command to 'Wind, wind, wind!'. For a moment I was frozen watching the sailfish jump next to the boat in an incredible flash of silver. Then Graham's instructions snapped me back to reality and after a decent tussle I got my third sailie."

Fishing in the Archipelago is exhilarating at the best of times and definately not reserved exclusively for the boys. Accompanied by Graham Pollard our resident fishing guide, on his aptly named fishing boat – Fish Therapy you are taken to the best spots in the area and depending on the species you are targeting, it is always an exciting experience and sometimes chance smiles broadly on the prepared fisherman.

Whales and dolphins

2011-08-22T03:53:00.000-07:00

Despite some windy days in August, the whales have arrived in their numbers in the Bazaruto Archipelago and on recent trips guests have been treated to some very special sightings of a whale and her calf. They were also treated to pods of dolphins playfully swimming along with the boats. Meg, our dive instructor, had her camera ready to snap this amazing picture of a dolphin jumping the surf.

Have a look at our Benguerra Facebook page for more of Meg's amazing pictures of the recent whale sightings.

Welcome to Benguerra Meg!

2011-08-15T04:33:00.000-07:00

Meg McDonald joined us this month as the new PADI dive instructor at Benguerra Lodge. Meg has been scuba diving for 13 years and loves sharing her passion for diving, the ocean and its surroundings with guests. It was thus not too difficult a decision for her to permanently exchange her city shoes for flippers and flip flops.

August thus far has delivered some superb snorkelling trips, especially for octopus sightings. The diving on Fossil reef has also been incredible, with plenty of juvenile fish, including a shoal of juvenile Yellowfin Tuna, blue spotted rays and Crocodile Fish. On one of the trips to Fossil Reef, the guests were spoiled by a bottlenose dolphin that jumped clear out of the water.

The Whales are also a regular sight now in the Archipelago and can be seen on some of the diving trips and snorkel excursions. Guests can also now book whale watching excursion from the lodge on a daily basis.

Where are you from little guy?

2011-06-23T03:49:00.000-07:00

This was the question on everyone's mind yesterday afternoon, when our diving guests returning from an amazing dive, spotted a Cape Fur Seal casually sitting on the beach at Benguerra North Point. We have never spotted any seals in the Bazaruto Archipelago so it is definitely a first.

Have any of you heard of seals in Mozambique, please let us know, we would certainly be interested to try and figure out where he could have come from?

This has certainly been an incredible week for seeing interesting things on Benguerra Island.

The Whales have arrived!

2011-06-22T00:36:00.000-07:00

It was with great excitement that we spotted the first whales of the season yesterday. They arrived just in time for the start of our peak season in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Guess who came for sundowners at the dhowbar?

2011-06-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

An unexpected visitor made it's appearance in the bay in front of the lodge yesterday afternoon, to the great surprise and delight of our guests and staff, enjoying their sundowners at the Dhow Bar. The guests were watching some dolphins frolicking in the bay at high tide, when all of a sudden a dugong popped it's nose out of the water. The dugong continued to swim along the shoreline in front of the Casitas and were seen several times more before disappearing back into the bay. Dugongs are highly endangered mammals and sightings of them are rare and very special.

Total Eclipse of the Moon

2011-06-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night guests staying at Benguerra Lodge had a front row seat to one of nature's wonders, the longest Lunar eclipse of the centuary. Dinner was set up on the beach, by candelight so guests could enjoy their meal while the wonder unfolded, in the perfectly clear sky. The eclipse lasted 100 minutes, Graham Pollard, our fishing guide beautifully captured the eclipse on a series of pictures (see link below), demonstrating that fly-fishing is only one of his many talents.

Article in the Travel section of the Guardian Newspaper

2011-06-13T02:21:00.000-07:00

Kate Kellaway who visited the Bazaruto Archilpelgo in March this year wrote an amazing article about Pat and Mandy Retzlaff from Mozambique Horsesafaris and her time spend riding on the islands.

Follow the link to read her article, which appeared in Saturday's travel section of the Guardian Newspaper and share her experience:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/jun/11/horse-riding-mozambique-beach-safari

Visa fees increase to USD 95,- pp

2011-02-08T00:57:00.000-08:00

The Visa fees at the Vilanculos Airport has increased to USD 95,- pp with immediate effect.

Guests are advised to obtain their visas prior to arrival to avoid delays at the airport.
If not possible, please ensure to travel with the correct amount in cash to obtain the Visa at the airport.

Helicopter transfer fee

2011-02-07T02:05:00.000-08:00

Please note from 01 March 2011 the helicopter transfer cost is USD 350,- pp return. This fee now includes the airport tax and security levy.

Life just could not get better!

2011-01-27T07:08:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from a wonderful visit to Benguerra Lodge, with Kerry our reservations manager. It was Kerry’s first visit to Benguerra Island since she joined us in November and a good opportunity to experience everything the island has to offer.

Chris, our diving instructor, took us for an amazing 2 tank dive on 5 Mile reef. It was my first visit to 5 Mile, as I have only ever dived and snorkelled on 2 Mile reef. The water was warm, the visibility was good and the coral on this dive site was beautiful. We saw spotted rays, lion fish, a variety of colourful nudi-branches, a large crayfish hiding under a rock and for me the most amazing - a school of barracuda hovering in the blue.

The next day we went fishing with Graham, in search of a GT (Giant Trevelli). It is always exciting to fish with a guide, as experienced as Graham, he knows the seas around the island like his own back yard, and knew exactly where to go looking. There were plenty of fish around the spot we went to, and very soon a giant fish, splashed and snatched our lure from the water!

Benguerra Lodge is the ultimate safari lodge by the sea.... just as we thought all our excitement was over while we waiting for our transfer to the airfield, a big monitor lizard strode across the deck and casually climbed up the tree.

Life just could not get better than this!

Rather late than never ... Happy New Year!

2011-01-14T03:34:00.000-08:00

Benguerra Lodge enjoyed a very busy and fun festive season with guests from all over the world. We were so pleased that those who were delayed with the snow storms in Europe managed to spend some time on our sunny and very warm beaches. Besides many guests from Europe, we also had guests from Australia, Japan, Brazil, Russia and the various Scandinavian countries. Christmas dinner was served in the garden and Old Year’s Eve was celebrated on the Beach.

Some of our guests went swimming in the sea after New Year’s eve dinner and discovered Phosphorescence – producing a myriad of sparkles nearly as good as our skies at night.

At the end of the rainbow

2010-12-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

We had our first storm yesterday afternoon which ended with a magnificent rainbow stretching across the skies going down on to the point of Benguerra Island.

Several staff members were seen running down the beach with their spades to go look for the pot of gold.

Magical Christmas at Benguerra

2010-12-20T07:19:00.000-08:00

Preparations for Christmas are well underway. Tradition tree decorations usually break long before it reaches our beautiful island's shores so Sally had to get very creative this year to ensure that the lodge is decorated. The result was a magical collection of silver and gold tree snail shells. They are so pretty, we have already received several applications from hermit crabs who would like to move into them after Christmas.

Guests have also marvelled at the presence of little glow worms who magically light up their mozi nets at night just like twinkling little stars. Sally claims she did not organize that one, it is purely the magic of Benguerra Island.

Preparing for the holidays!

2010-12-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

Thysti and his team preparing for the festive season in true African Island style! Visiting guests are advised to pack less to accommodate for the the excess weight (gained) whilst visiting Benguerra for the holidays!

Island kids love horses

2010-11-18T07:07:00.000-08:00

Since the horses arrived in 2008 they've been a great source of wonder for the island children who often cheer us on and take any opportunity to climb aboard.

A sunset cruise to remember

2010-11-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Purely for quality control purposes of course..... our management staff went on a Stiletto Sunset Cruise last night – what a treat it was. Thys and Zela provided sumptous snacks. We stopped off at the Point on Benguerra and went for a walk watching the crabs scurrying over the beach. Then as we walked back a pod of dolphin appeared around the boat, so everyone dived into the water, hoping to attract them closer to us – not quite touching point, but close enough.

Sailfish on fly

2010-11-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

Two guests who recently fished with Graham were both treated to their first Sailfish on fly. Well done guys!

The perfect place to relax.

2010-11-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

The main swimming pool at the lodge is the perfect place for guests to relax, with a cold drink in hand. The recent addition of the bedouine tent to provide guests with additional shade, has created a very special atmosphere and made the swimming pool even more inviting.

Early morning ride in the dunes

2010-11-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

We were rewarded with wonderful sightings of the flamingos and pelicans as a couple of happy first time riders and I braved a particularly windy morning to ride to the freshwater lakes. We felt like explorers as we trotted along the deserted indian ocean beach with the waves crashing at out feet.

If you are in London on the 6th of November and love horses, visit the 'The Riding Holiday Show' at Strand Palace Hotel, London. Kate from Mozambique Horse Safaris will also be there.

The Dive is on!

2010-11-02T03:56:00.000-07:00

Our relief dive instructor's Ciden Manual's last couple of dives with us were magical, in his own words: "When you snorkel with a Dugong, see 5 sharks and a few turtles all-in-one

We say here: “The Dive is On”

Chris our resident dive instructor also had a busy first day back from his holiday. The lodge was full of divers, 10 in the morning plus a rescue course, 3 advanced open waters and a night dive for later.

Benguerra Lodge is now a certified PADI Dive resort, which enables us to offer regular specials on diving courses. If interested please contact us for more information.