"My husband and I visited Kisawa Sanctuary August 20-27, 2023, to celebrate our joint 58th birthdays. The genuine kindness, warmth, and beauty of everyone we had the absolute joy of coming to know there was the best gift we could ever have hoped for. The sanctuary is unbelievably gorgeous; from the uniquely beautiful design of the resort to the awe-inspiring beauty of Benguerra Island and the Indian Ocean. But it is the people who shared their lives and island home with us during our stay that turned an incredible holiday celebration into an experience that has left us with a renewed sense of optimism and gratefulness.
On our first full day at Kisawa we were fortunate to witness the reopening of fishing for the island residents. We saw groups of people celebrating the ability to fish and share their catch with their villages after months of being unable to do so while allowing nature to replenish their waters with fish. Coming to understand the importance of living in a community in which resources and wealth are shared for the benefit of the entire village was a heartwarming reminder of the importance of interpersonal connection and caring for your loved ones. What we experienced that first day was only the beginning…
During our stay, we had the good fortune of luxuriating in Ocean Residence #10. With the expansive views of the ocean, the ever-present lull of the waves, and an incredible natural light that would change the colors and tone of the Residence throughout the day, we felt like we had been transported to another world. Every element of the Residence seemed to have been perfectly planned and, yet, it all felt so personal and effortless. The vastness and privacy of the setting, the comfort of the furnishings, the ease with which everything worked in harmony left us incredibly relaxed. We could fill our days with as much or as little as we desired. Some days were spent swimming, lounging, and reconnecting at the Residence. Other days were filled with travels to spot beautiful flamingos, snorkel, or marvel at migrating humpback whales. On the day of our actual birthdays, we were surprised by literally everyone, even those we had not met before, wishing us a happy birthday. We helicoptered to Santa Carolina Island for a private, champagne picnic on the beach and were later surprised by foot massages on the pool deck of our Residence while we watched the stars overhead and listened to the waves crashing below. The night was capped off by a private dinner at Ocean Mussassa with singing and a chocolate cake that we will never forget!
As memorable and special as that day-long birthday celebration was, the day that touched us the most was when Querino (“Q”) led us on a private tour of Benguerra Island. Q grew up on the island and took part in the construction of Kisawa Sanctuary. He drove us to where he had been spotting crocodiles since he was a kid and told us stories of his experiences with them. Q took us to the top of the Red Sand Dune and explained how the dune has been changing; pointing out the tops of trees that have been covered by the ever-growing dune and now appeared to be shrubs poking out of the sand. He drove us through the villages, introduced us to fisherman, and chatted with a group of women cooking vegetables they had harvested and would later serve to their communities. Q explained to us how the educational and medical systems worked on the island as he took us past the hospital and school. We watched children playing in their yards with vibrantly colored clothing drying on the lines. We are so grateful for those experiences. Thank you, Q!
The thoughtfulness, effort, and love that have gone into creating and running Kisawa Sanctuary are evident everywhere. The exquisite food prepared by Chef J.P. and his team is not only delicious, but beautifully presented. Each meal at every location was a piece of scrumptious artwork. The unique and creative cocktails poured by Elton, Dubes, and Lorenzo were visually striking, potent, and second to none. On our first night having sundowners at Baracca, Elton asked me what my favorite drink was. He then proceeded to mix up the most delicious Sidecar I have ever tasted. Subsequent nights were filled with bespoke creations; including a tobacco-infused stunner by Dubes that I still think about! The genuine connectedness we felt with everyone was touching: Alberto, who served us each morning at breakfast and told us stories of his life on the island and dreams of becoming a teacher; Ruth and her gorgeous smile (even as she cleaned up broken glass after I accidentally knocked a drink off the table during lunch one day at Cove Mussassa); the quiet beauty of Aida as she was learning the ropes of a new role at the Main Terrace; and the strength of Selu as he chatted with us while he readied our residence each morning. We have so many fond memories of everyone who made our stay so special: Jared’s infectious sense of humor left us smiling and laughing throughout our stay; Fernando’s beautiful smile and patience as we tried to connect via WhatsApp so that we could send him some photos; Mario and Sergio expertly guiding us through the waters around the islands and taking us to the most beautiful, deserted beach for an impromptu lunch after whale watching; Lindonnie’s friendly greetings and stories; and Jay taking such good care of us during the week...Saurez expertly guiding us through a variety of menus as he cared for us during so many meals; Simon sailing us around the Cove as we sipped Champagne on a sunset dhow cruise; John, Alex, and Rishad making sure that we had everything we needed while relaxing under beach umbrellas on the Cove side of Kisawa Sanctuary; and Mathieu, confidently taking on his role as the new General Manager while finding so much time to spend talking with us, sharing life stories, and providing us with so many surprises.
From our first inquiries with the Reservations team to our final departure from Vilanculos Airport, our Kisawa Sanctuary experiences surpassed our every expectation. We are so grateful to everyone for providing us with a holiday that somehow transcended beauty, adventure, and luxury to become a life-affirming experience we will always treasure. Ta Bonga!"
A Tripadvisor traveler review
Oct 27, 2023