Azura Benguerra epitomises ‘summertime and the living is easy’. And it’s this way throughout the year, doused in warm, tropical sunshine. But this is a special place for many other reasons. Azura Benguerra is 100% solar powered – the first Tesla-powered property in Mozambique, and the island lodge is also entirely community based. It was built by their hands and is now run in partnership with them. Just by visiting Azura Benguerra, guests are supporting the local community. Lodge staff are Mozambican, all fresh seafood is sourced from local fishermen and fresh produce is also locally supplied. It’s a beautiful story of authenticity, and with it an enchanting lodge to enjoy too.

In the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Azura Benguerra lies just 14km off the Mozambique mainland. The 20 villas, all with pulled thatch roofs, are on the western side of Benguerra island, which is sheltered and calm. There are six different villa sizes and levels of luxury, but all are seafront and you can step directly onto the white sand beach. Each villa has its own private deck with an outdoor sofa and sun loungers alongside a private pool, and huge, round daybeds under salas right on the beach. Here, days are about relaxing, recharging and unwinding in your own space.

That’s taken to another level with the butler host service. Each villa has a Mozambican butler who will be your personal assistant to help with anything needed for the duration of your stay. But the exceptional service goes even beyond that. A private What’s App group is created with every guest, and includes the general manager, butler host, and managers of various activities. This means you can contact any of them for any information or assistance at any time … from the comfort of your suite. This is service on a whole new level.

It’s tempting to never leave your suite, but it’s well worth it when you do. Cuisine is excellent, fresh and prepared with renowned Mozambican flair. It’s served in the quirky Jellyfish Restaurant with light fittings to match its name. The Star Bar with little star lights is another favourite gathering place, for sundowners or midday coolers. All these public spaces are open to the beach and the warm turquoise ocean, where most of the action happens.

You can break a sweat fishing for sailfish, dorado or tuna, or chill out and island hop by speed boat. There’s a PADI centre to learn to scuba dive, or maybe go horse riding or dune climbing. Visit the crocodile lakes in the middle of the island, take a beach drive and enjoy a picnic, or go on a sunset cruise to close the day. There’s as much or as little to do as you choose to. But chilling completely and thoroughly enjoying each day here is a given.

Reviewed by Keri Harvey

What we love

• crimson sunsets over the Africa mainland in the distance
• seeing the patterns created by changing tides
• the locally beaded jellyfish light fittings
• watching dhows waft past
• the calm Africa-inspired beach décor in villas

Need to know

• children of all ages are welcome
• all staff are vaccinated by choice
• there is a wheelchair-friendly villa
• Airlink and LAM fligh Johannesburg to Vilanculos, and LAM also connects Maputo and Vilanculos. Transfers from Vilanculos are by helicopter (5 minutes); boat transfers are available to South Africans