VAMIZI ISLAND: A FAR-FLUNG ISLAND IN UNIQUE MOZAMBIQUE

Miles away from almost everything, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Vamizi Island beckons those who seek the barefoot luxury and adventure that only an African Island can bring.  Even though it is one of the largest islands in the Quirimbas Archipelago, Vamizi is just seven and a half miles long and about half a mile wide.  Thirteen timber-villas of one or two bedrooms are strung along pure white sand beaches, 230 feet apart, to provide real privacy.  It is the only Lodge on the island, enhancing its remoteness.  A pristine coral reef, a phenomenon almost unheard of in today’s world, keeps the surrounding waters of the island crystal clear. 

As a partner of the prestigious WWF, Vamizi Island is a conservation project funded through carefully considered low impact, high-end tourism.  Each villa was constructed of local building materials and by the local community to blend into the landscape.  Vamizi has one of the longest turtle conservation operations in East Africa and fishing is sustainable.  The integration of local knowledge and traditions with world-class scientific understanding benefits everyone:  the community, wildlife and visitors.

Opened in 2005, the Lodge is already known for its diversified dives, especially Neptune’s Arm, voted one of the world’s top ten dive sites.  A short boat ride from the Lodge, this underwater island envelops a canyon with steep, deep cliffs, filled with colorful sea life - a “must” for serious divers everywhere.  Other activities include exceptional blue water game fishing, humpback whale sightings in season, snorkeling, sailing, lagoon kayaking, nature walks with the resident WWF guide to learn about the conservation program, face and body treatments and yoga.  Or one can simply do nothing but drink in views of the sky, sea and beach.

In the spacious villas, billowing white muslins drape enormous beds.  Deep sofas, colonial style chairs and day beds accented with cushions provide a homey feel.  Each villa is set 98 feet from the beach with a vast deck overlooking the beach and a gazebo on the edge of the beach.  Air conditioning is not needed so gentle sea breezes whisper through latticed windows.  It’s the ultimate Robinson Crusoe house with more comfort.

Vamizi Island Lodge also features three private villas of five bedrooms each, ideal for friends traveling together or families looking for a true barefoot experience.  These villas, named for local birds, are even more secluded than the Lodge.  Designed by a well-known South African architect, they are stylish and inviting with the smartest of African motif, though still very laid-back.  Bliss here is instant beach access, plunge pools and a dedicated hospitality team to tend to every need.

Cuisine at Vamizi Island is deliciously created from Mozambique-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs and surf-fresh seafood, highlighted with premium wines from South Africa.  Dinners are lantern lit in the main thatched-roof open dining room or sumptuous grills on the beach.  For lunch, guests have a choice of the main dining room or a relaxed buffet in the ‘castaway’ restaurant on the south side of the island.  Guests may also opt for a ‘shipwrecked’ picnic on a remote, secluded beach.

The whole island of Vamizi could be called a spa, nurturing both above and below the water. Beauty therapies are uniquely Vamizi, using natural recipes from the local ladies as well as a few oceanic inventions - minerals ground from Vamizi roots, local seaweed masks and sea salt scrubs. A full range of massage therapies include bespoke yoga massage, reflexology and heated herbal stone massage as well as Indian head massage, deep tissue, Swedish and aromatherapy massages. Vamizi retreats are held regularly, encompassing professional yoga instruction and sublime food. The next retreats will be November 11 - 17, 2012, and January 20 - 26, 2013.

For an enchanting combination of simplicity and indulgence, the Tusitiri dhow, based at Vamizi can accommodate up to 10 people and is available for overnight safaris. (Dhows are traditional wooden vessels originally used for carrying textile and spices in the Indian Ocean.) Nights are spent under the stars on comfy bedrolls laid out on the deck and delectable meals are taken al fresco. Half and full day excursions are also available. Meticulously restored Tusitiri is one of the finest examples of dhows in East Africa today.

Rates at Vamizi Island Lodge start at $590 per person sharing per night in the Lodge low season and $490 per person sharing per night in the Private Villas low season, based on eight persons sharing for six nights.  Guests going to Vamizi may fly Vamizi’s scheduled plane roundtrip Dar Es Salaam or Pemba, starting at $525 roundtrip from Pemba and $750 roundtrip from Dar Es Salaam. Private charters are also available.

For additional information, visit www.vamizi.com.