When you’ve been to many a luxury hotel, there comes a point where it’s hard to get genuinely excited about a new property. For me personally, after I went Aman 15 years ago, I’ve never looked back. But when I arrived at Kisawa, a luxury hotel in Mozambique on the remote island of Benguerra, I knew I had stumbled upon something special. It was like discovering the first Aman in Thailand over 20+ years ago. In fact, I would go as far as to say that Kisawa is a rare property, that you come upon only a few times in a lifetime.
There are plenty of luxurious places to stay in the world. What distinguishes Kisawa is that there’s a special soul and connection that the words of this review won’t convey adequately. Kisawa is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world that has soul, connection to culture, and heart in all they do. It was a bucket list experience that I didn’t know existed, and has made the short list of one of my three happy places that I’ve had the privilege to discover on travels.
Overview
Kisawa Sanctuary is located on the remote, completely unspoiled island of Benguerra in Mozambique. When I say unspoiled, the definition in this case is an island without a developed road, electricity or running water. With a population of about 2,000 people, Benguerra just scored their first hospital and school less than a decade ago. This makes it prime though to have one of life’s few authentic experiences.
Kisawa is the brainchild of entrepreneur Nina Flohr, whose family has roots in the aviation business and founded VistaJet. She’s also sometimes known as Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark, as she married into the family in 2020. She was clearly born though to be in hotels, as Kisawa is her first venture into luxury resorts.
Ground broke on Kisawa around 2015 and after five years, Kisawa soft-opened just in time for the pandemic. As if that wasn’t challenge enough, Kisawa even survived a cyclone which took out its ocean-front residences and a restaurant. But since it really got going in 2022, is where those who know travel have made their way to this special luxury hotel in Mozambique.
Everything at Kisawa is hand-crafted. By the quality of the materials and construction, you would have thought they brought in Italian artisans. Instead, Kisawa has leaned into the local island. This isn’t a compound locked down from the locals. Instead, the land is open as it flows into the undeveloped bush of Benguerra. At one point, more than half of the island’s population was employed by Kisawa in the construction of the resort. The integration of Kisawa into the local culture is part of the authenticity that makes the energy of Kisawa so special.
Suites + Villas
There are luxury resorts, and then there is Kisawa Sanctuary. Kisawa is where you go when you’ve seen the world’s top resorts and are ready for something more meaningful. The hotel lives up to the second part of its name as the sanctuary spans a 300-hectare coastline of pristine dunes, white-sand beaches, and crystalline Indian Ocean waters.
What’s unique about Kisawa is its level privacy. While you can be social with those on isle, you can also completely retreat unto yourself in your suite, which is like its own private estate.
Benguerra is known for its village huts with thatched roof, and Kisawa takes it cue in the architecture of the rooms. The team at Kisawa brilliantly brought in the local materials and architecture. Each of the 11 bungalows sits on its own one-acre plot, complete with private dining and beachfront, outdoor decks, and your own personal pool. Interiors blend natural textures—rattan, local hardwoods, hand-carved details—with soft neutrals and airy coastal design. Kisawa pioneered 3D-printed sand technology for its structures, merging innovation with traditional Mozambican craft.
Food + Beverage
I’ve never eaten food so clean yet so flavorful. I gorged myself on lobster, fresh fish, ceviches, and salads that were beautifully prepared. The culinary director, Chef JP has created something so special with his team of locals who craft food at the level of any cosmopolitan city.
The resort’s food ethos is rooted in local, sustainable, fresh and healthy cuisine. Expect lobster caught that morning, produce from the property’s organic gardens, and Mozambican flavors interpreted with elegance. This is one case where words won’t properly describe the food. However a few photos can begin to share how special the food is made. Like the hotel itself, there is such soul in every dish that makes the culinary experience so special.
There are three restaurants and two bars on isle. Kisawa elevates island dining into a culinary art form. There’s no rigid dining schedule—meals follow your mood and your location. Unless you plan it otherwise, the team at Kisawa stages out meals of guests that you may not run into another soul during your stay.
The Barraca Beach Bar serves ocean-to-grill seafood and refreshing cocktails, while The Main Terrace features refined dishes inspired by East African spice routes. The culinary team strikes the balance of elevated gourmet cuisine that is healthy. It’s like Chef JP’s food makes you a better person.
Service
I will say that after having Neima on WhatsApp 24/7, I didn’t know how to function on my own after we left. Each villa has a dedicated host and beach attendant who orchestrate everything. From unpacking our suitcases to arranging a sunset dhow cruise, to searching for sea shells as souvenirs for us, Neima and Alex became like family. Everyday they coordinated all of our requests so graciously.
The entire team at Kisawa, most of whom are locals, have such a beautiful energy. The service is elegant, polished yet sincere and authentic. The empowerment and training of the locals to provide a top international standard is just one of the impressive aspects of what they’ve created at Kisawa.
Spa + Gym
Each villa gets a Moke, which you use to tool around and explore the resort property. It’s nice to have the independence to get around to the curated gift shop, restaurants and spa at your leisure.
The Natural Wellness Center at Kisawa is a standout—an architectural centerpiece built around holistic healing and traditional therapies. Treatment rooms are luxurious as you would expect. The night we arrived we partook in the welcome ritual, which was a message and some time under a dome that helped with inflammation. Therapies draw from Ayurvedic practices, African healing traditions, and modern wellness science.
Kisawa goes beyond the basics. Think sound healing, guided breathwork, and customized wellness journeys that integrate nutrition, movement, and mindfulness. The fully equipped gym and open-air movement pavilion is in one of the thatch roofed buildings. It even feels like a vacation when you’re working out. Yoga and pilates can be specially arranged prior to your arrival to keep on your fitness schedule.
Experiences
Life at Kisawa revolves around nature and immersion in the scenery that is beautiful beyond words. The resort partners with the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies, which for those interested gives you rare access to marine biologists and conservationists. Activities include tagging sea turtles, snorkeling coral nurseries, and learning about ocean preservation firsthand.
If you are into diving, this is a luxury hotel in Mozambique that has to be on your list. The marine life is off the charts. However with water so clear, those not dive certified also partake in snorkeling to get up close and personal with nature. When the tide comes in, you can walk for miles on sandbars right outside your own villas. Just make sure you check the schedule as you could find yourself too far out to swim back to shore.
In addition, there is whale-watching, dune surfing, deep-sea fishing, and dhow sailing at sunset. That sunset we caught on the beach at Barracca was one that will be etched in the attics of my mind I hope forever. It was one of those moments that I felt like I did something right in life to deserve that experience.
I would also highly recommend doing the island tour to see the local fisherman and authentic villages. As I mentioned, there isn’t a paved road on the island or running water and electricity outside of the resorts. Kisawa is building a library for the school on isle as well, which is pretty bare bones. It’s completely safe and the locals are welcoming and kind. The chance though to experience this authenticity outside of a luxury hotel in Mozambique is what makes Kisawa so special.
Overall 9.8/10
Kisawa delivers a travel experience that is both luxurious and meaningful.
FAQs
Q: Where is Kisawa Sanctuary located?
A: Kisawa Sanctuary is the most luxurious hotel in Mozambique and is located on Benguerra Island.
Q: How do you get to Kisawa Sanctuary?
A: You reach this luxury hotel in Mozambique via helicopter transfers from the mainland through Vilankulo Airport. You can also take a boat from the mainland to Benguerra Island.
Q: Is Kisawa Sanctuary open all-year round?
A: Kisawa is a luxury hotel in Mozambique that is generally open all-year round. However, you should check the weather at the time of your trip, and avoid Cyclone season. Otherwise during turtle hatching season, whale watching or anytime you just need a break, Kisawa is a luxury hotel in Mozambique that is the ultimate getaway.
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