Benguerra Island Travel Guide

During your stay on Benguerra Island you’ll enjoy meals in the comfort of your luxury island lodge, feasting on local seafood and a menu of cuisine inspired by both local produce and the rich culinary heritage of Mozambique. 

While your chosen lodge or resort may only offer one or two restaurants, there’s a wonderful diversity of experiences on offer, from romantic in-room dining and beach dinners, to unforgettable ‘castaway’ picnics on remote sandbanks. 

Island chefs are always happy to cater for specific dietary requirements, but advance notice (on reservation) is strongly advised.

With most activities centred on the ocean, top of your packing list should be a swimsuit, sun hat and plenty of sun lotion. Aqua-shoes can be useful for snorkelling, exploring the shoreline, and to protect your feet during boat activities. Keen divers may want to bring their own mask, but your hotel or lodge will provide all equipment required for ocean activities.

There’s no dress code at the beachfront hotels and lodges, so aim for casual comfort in the warm tropical weather. Loose-fitting cotton clothing is ideal. 

Remember to pack your camera, spare memory cards and charging cables. Most hotels offer an on-site boutique stocking personal toiletry items, branded clothing and souvenirs. Due to the remote location, ensure you have sufficient prescription medication before departure.

There’s rarely a bad time to visit Benguerra Island, with sunshine throughout the year. Winter is often seen as the secret season, with mild temperatures and little rainfall to break up the bright blue skies. Summer is the rainy season, with intermittent showers to cool off the searing temperatures. Tropical cyclones can affect the region in January and February.

Although malaria is found throughout Mozambique, and prophylactics are advisable for all travel, the risk of contracting malaria on these remote islands is far less than on the mainland. Consult your travel doctor three weeks before departure for further advice and prophylactics.

Lying eight miles off the mainland, Benguerra Island is one of just three inhabited islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago. Discover this unique marine park with our useful travel maps…

Benguerra Island may feel a world apart, but it’s surprisingly easy to reach. Daily scheduled services (1h30m) connect OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, with Vilankulo Airport on the mainland. From here, boat (1hr) and scenic helicopter (15m) transfers whisk travellers to Benguerra Island. 

For added convenience and comfort, private charter flights to Vilankulo Airport are available from both Johannesburg and regional safari destinations such as the Kruger National Park.