Mozambique: Africa’s Most Underrated Beach Destination?

If you're flying all the way to Africa for safari and want to end on a beach, most people default to Seychelles, sometimes Mauritius. Both easy, both beautiful. But I would argue that Mozambique, for the right traveler, can be an extraordinary alternative, especially if your safari is in South Africa. The connections from Johannesburg into Vilanculos are simple, and from there you're a short helicopter hop or boat transfer into whichever property you choose.

I recently had the opportunity to visit three very different properties: Sussurro on the mainland, andBeyond Benguerra Island, and Kisawa Sanctuary. Three completely different interpretations of what a Mozambique beach ending can look like.

Here's how I'd think about each.

Sussurro

For honeymooners or couples who simply want to relax

Sussurro sits on the mainland outside Vilanculos. It’s about a two-hour drive from the airport, and here’s a pro tip: try to arrive around midday when it’s low tide. If you do, you can actually drive along the beach, which is such a cool way to arrive. If the tide is high, you have to go through the backroads which I hear takes longer and can be pretty bumpy.

The property itself is very small, very intimate and calm. It feels less like a hotel and more like a beautifully designed private home with an open kitchen, understated common spaces, and even two resident sausage dogs running around.

The food was a standout. Mozambican cuisine is one of Africa’s most underrated. Fresh crayfish, kingklip, whatever local fishermen bring in that morning. 

There isn’t an endless activity list. You can do day trips to Paradise Island, dhow sails, but this is really for people who want to grab a book, sit by the pool or the beach, eat well, drink well, and slow down.

One practical note: flights from Johannesburg are short, but the planes are small. Always travel with extra clothes in your carry-on. Mozambique runs on its own clock and luggage occasionally follows that rhythm.

andBeyond Benguerra Island

For clients who want amenities and activities

Then I went to andBeyond on Benguerra Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, accessible through a short helicopter flight from Vilanculos to the island. The aerial views alone justify the transfer.

andBeyond sits in a privileged part of the island, on a protected lagoon sheltered from the wind. The sea in front is calm and swimmable which, in this part of the world, matters.

Accommodation is thatched and spacious. You have huge beachfront cabanas and casinhas, all with private timber decks, rim-flow pools, sun loungers, and private salas with hanging daybeds. Everything has AC. You have butlers. Full five-star infrastructure. There’s also Casa Familia, which is great for families or small groups, with three bedrooms and its own private pool.

Design-wise, it opened in the early 2000s and hasn’t had a major refresh.  It feels a bit like a safari lodge on the beach. Darker wood, not super beachy or contemporary. But it’s very comfortable. 

And there is a lot to do.

It’s home to one of the last viable populations of rare dugongs in the region which is remarkable. The scuba diving is excellent, with a fully equipped PADI dive centre offering everything from beginner dives to more advanced expeditions. Food and beverages are all inclusive, and several activities like snorkeling and dhow cruises are included as well. So while it’s barefoot in spirit, this is a much more active, experience-driven beach add-on.

If you want Mozambique but aren’t willing to give up comfort or amenities, and want plenty to do, andBeyond is the most straightforward option.

Kisawa Sanctuary

For privacy, design and ultra-exlusivity

Kisawa is in a completely different category. ISet across more than 700 acres with only a handful of residences, you genuinely do not see other guests unless you choose to. Each residence has its own stretch of beach, infinity pool, open-air deck, and an electric buggy because the property is vast. You can stay in your residence the entire time and never cross paths with anyone. Or you can visit one of the three restaurants.  But you never have to.

The owner is Nina Flohr, a Swiss heiress, daughter of the founder of VistaJet. This is very much her vision. She decorated everything. It’s incredibly curated. Most of the furniture is 3D printed on site, which is wild. The design is to die for.

They fund a marine research observatory, the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies, and guests can actually dive with marine scientists to observe marine life.

The spa is also on another level and has an Ayurvedic concept, and they even have an in-house private instructor from India.

There’s a strong sustainability angle.

It’s very exclusive. Very spacious. Very elevated. And for those with the means, I'd argue it's worth every penny of what is admittedly a significant nightly rate.

So, is Mozambique Africa’s most underrated beach ending?

For the right traveler, yes. It’s not as polished as Seychelles, it's not as turnkey as Mauritius. But for the right traveler, it can be heavenly.  The key is matching the property to the person and that's exactly where we come in. 

Do you want barefoot romance? Sussurro.

Activity with infrastructure? andBeyond.

Total privacy and cutting-edge design? Kisawa.