5 DAY MARLIN LODGE - MOZAMBIQUE
Benguerua Island - Bazaruto Archipelago

Benguerua Island
The Bazaruto Archipelago is known as the 'Crown Jewels of the Western Indian Ocean'. Benguerua is a glittering gem in this chain of islands and Marlin Lodge is the perfect spot for a magical escape.

The island is set amid translucent waters flecked with dhow sails and rich in marine life - an unspoilt paradise for those seeking a haven of peace, something extraordinary.

The approach is flagrantly romantic. Your boat glides over a turquoise sea alive with dolphins, the shallows spangled with starfish like an underwater sky. You cleave towards the white sands and swaying palms of a quintessential island straight from the pages of fiction, silhouetted on the horizon.

It beckons as if to say: "Come and cast yourself away..."

At Marlin you can't escape the age-old rhythms of Africa, the heady sense of history. There's the legacy of Portuguese carracks, trading dhows bearing slaves and ivory to the East and whispered legends of the Queen of Sheba's Ophir pearls.

Each day you'll be reminded of the archipelago's colourful past as fishermen pole their beautiful dhows - a sight unaltered in centuries - out to catch the wind. The locals continue to live a laid-back island lifestyle - harvesting their crops, cashew trees and the ocean's bounty. And late at night you may hear the pulse of distant drums...

Cuisine
Meals range from semi-formal affairs in the dining room to casual beach buffets. Dinners are sumptuous occasions, each night a surprise ... like tables laid on the beach at the end of an avenue of palm fronds and flame torches.

How to resist crayfish bigger than your plate, succulent prawns, calamari just off the dhow or delicious peri-peri chicken grilled over an open fire and fragrant with delicate island spices.

A visit to Marlin is a culinary delight ... where the flavours of Africa and Asia meet.

Activities - What we offer
Scale the highest dunes during a round-the-island tour, or grab a sun umbrella and picnic basket for a day on a desert isle. The glassy shallows in front of the Lodge are ideal for motorised water sports like water-skiing or para-sailing.

Or delve the deep ... Two Mile Reef is a favourite among divers. Here you'll find a protected pool known as the Aquarium, one of southern Africa's finest snorkelling spots. The archipelago's world-class dive sites offer the chance to see Mozambique's gentle giants: whale sharks and manta rays.

Try your luck saltwater fly-fishing from the beach or ski boat. Hook a kingfish or barracuda in Kingfish Alley or head out into deep Indian blue on an 11-metre T-craft to hunt for the Lodge's namesake. When the trade winds start to lick the palms it's time to harness canvas to air.

Slip across translucent shallows on a sailboard or fly a hull on one of Marlin's catamarans. When the sky turns salmon, watch the sun sink over the mainland while ghosting along on a dhow sundowner cruise. The sibilant splash of the bow wave ... creak of rigging ... flutter of canvas as the sail catches the last of the day's breath.

SCUBA AND SNORKELLING
The warm tropical waters surrounding the archipelago support a stunning variety of fish, coral, marine mammals and plants. Dive House reef, two mile reef, Aquarium, five mile reef, Magaruque Island, deep hole, Magaruque Express, Cabo San Sebastaio, Bazaruto north point, Light House and Turtle reef .

ANGLING
Deep-sea fishing, gamefishing (marlin and sailfish), surfcasting, saltwater fly-fishing .

EXCURSIONS
Includes sunset cruises, Pansy Island sports, Aquarium adventure, island drives, Dhow sailing, visits to Vilanculos and day trips around the island. .

WATER SPORTS
Activities include wind-surfing, catamaran sailing, kite-flying, ocean ski-paddling, water-skiing, para-sailing, knee-boarding and water-snaking.

Price Guide
Safari starts and ends at Vilanculos, Mozambique.
4 nights accommodation in a Classic Chalet, three meals per day,
teas and coffees, return transfers
from Vilanculos airport and jetty as well as the following
water sport: windsurfing, ocean ski paddling & catamaran sailing.
The 4 night stay also includes a dhow cruise and an island drive

Price Per Person Sharing
from £495.00
(Excluding all flights to, from and within Africa.)

Longer and shorter stays are available, please contact us for prices.

Marlin Lodge accepts children of all ages, children's rates available upon request.

Excluded; Flights to and from Vilanculos, visa costs, departure tax ex Vilanculos
and the National Park surcharge.

Additional Nights are available from £118.00 per person sharing per night in a Classic Chalet..

Flights from Johannesburg to Vilanculos (return) costs from £285.00 per person
Daily flights available, please see the flight time table below.

Scuba Diving Excursions and Sea Fishing Rates available upon request.

Safaris subject to availability and prices can change without prior notice.

Accommodation available at Marlin Lodge consists of

Classic Chalets, Luxury Chalets, Luxury Suite and Executive Suite.
Please e-mail us for details of the diferent types of accommodation.

To check availability for this safari, please contact us on
UK - 08707 662 993 International - 44 8707 662 993
Priority is given to people who call us, due to the number of e-mails we receive.
holidays@safari-africa.co.uk

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To make a booking please contact us with the depature date you would like. We will then check availablility for you.

Flights to, from and many within Africa are not included in the cost of the safari, you can check flight prices On-Line by going to our Flights page or by contacting your local travel agent or flight specialist.

If you need any assistance please contact us by
phone or e-mail.