Kisawa Sanctuary

The photos can’t do Kisawa justice. Its beaches and coves, vegetation, views, snorkeling, and wildlife are all extraordinary, and the peaceful atmosphere makes it easy to fully relax. The wellness treatments are top notch, the food is among the best I’ve ever tasted, and the staff are some of the nicest people you could hope to meet. Privacy is unrivalled, and no request seems unreasonable. The rooms are fantastic and huge, finished with exquisitely sourced materials and impeccable taste. I’ve been lucky enough to stay at some of the world’s best hotels, yet they all look relatively shabby beside Kisawa. It may cost more than properties people might mistakenly think are comparable, but I consider it good value because nowhere comes close. If you can afford it, go. You’d have a hard time regretting it. It’s so romantic and feels so much like paradise that I started wondering whether I was dreaming, or had somehow died without realizing it and gone to heaven.

Activities include PADI diving, snorkeling with turtles, whale watching (best early in the season), and wellness treatments rooted in Ayurvedic traditions. The retreat has 300 hectares on Benguerra Island, Mozambique, and combines luxury with strong eco credentials. Each private villa occupies at least an acre, with uninterrupted ocean views and plenty of seclusion. Service is generally top notch. Butlers Rute and Luvia get shout-outs for anticipating guests’ needs, although some guests mention occasional language hiccups at the main restaurants and laundry stains. The food is healthy, locally sourced, home style cooking. It’s delicious, though not always at fine dining level, and not every restaurant is open each night. The price is steep, starting around $5,500 per night for an all inclusive one bedroom stay. Many feel the experience justifies it, especially with meals and complimentary laundry included. There can be minor quirks with dining consistency and staff visibility.

For four nights my wife and I barely saw another guest, and the privacy was remarkable. Service was over the top. JP, the chef, joined us personally for every meal, and we never ate in the same spot twice: there were several beach locations, three restaurants, the garden where they grow fresh food, our villa by the pool, and even the pizza tuk tuk. The food comes from top places around the world, so the quality is beyond what you might expect on a remote island. The bartender was fun, made creative fresh cocktails, and was always there. We snorkeled at an incredible reef and went up to the tops of the sand dunes. The spa was beautiful and the treatments were as good as it gets. They even came to our villa each morning for yoga. At low tide, the water receded enough for us to walk a Kilometer across white sand dotted with sand dollars and unique shells. It was spectacular and unlike anything else. We knew the cost was very high, so our expectations were sky high. The stay exceeded them.

That 5’ scenic Helicoptere ride from vilankulos airport to the resort is the ultimate treat. The retreat itself was absolutely fabulous, with immaculate taste and attention to detail. Special kudos to chef JP and his brigade for creating a fully bespoke culinary experience.