[SEYCHELLES & MOZAMBIQUE] Slam Dunk. Beach Break. How To Book.

26 October 2020

2 x 10-Day Beach Escapes

If you could be transported absolutely anywhere in the world right now, where would you like to go?

I would head to a remote island, where people are smiling, the sun is shining, days are balmy and warm, the sea is inviting, diving is phenomenal and drinks are ice cold.
I would head to ALPHONSE ISLAND or AZURA BENGUERRA.

And it really is quite easy to get there.

SLAM DUNK: Arrival and departure information made easy.
BEACH BREAK: Stay for 10 days and unwind away from our mad world.
HOW TO BOOK: One email and the res team will manage every aspect of the booking.

Read on for a key update and what you need to know about travel to SEYCHELLES and MOZAMBIQUE now.

SEYCHELLES

The ultimate social distancing

Escape the world at BLUE SAFARI SEYCHELLES: 22 thousand hectares of outer islands within 22 million hectares of ocean wilderness. Can you even begin to imagine how vast that is?

Alphonse Island Lodge is OPEN.
Cosmoledo Eco Camp opens on 28 November 2020.
Astove Coral House opens on 7 January 2021.
Blue Safari Seychelles are on the list of C-19 approved accommodations
under Alphonse Island Lodge.

HOW TO BOOK
It really is quite simple.

FLIGHTS: 8 airlines to choose from with early morning arrivals on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday into Mahé: Etihad, Emirates, Qatar, British Airways,
Air Seychelles, Condor, Swiss and Air France.
ARRIVE: Flights from Mahé to Alphonse now link directly with international arrival schedules as per the above airlines (previously an overnight in Mahé was required).
STAY: Alphonse Island 10-night package starts from US$ 9,615 per person sharing (includes return flights from Mahé, all meals, accommodation, signature 'Flats Lunch' and other unique experiences).
DEPART: While PCR testing is not required to depart Seychelles, the airline or final destination may require it. PCR testing is conveniently done on Alphonse Island by a trained nurse. The swabs are flown back to Mahé and the results are sent to the guest by the laboratory within a 24-hour period.
AND FINALLY, if this is hugely appealing but too much to take in, then just contact the incredible Jordyn at Blue Safari: Jordyn Mackenzie

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
is available on the highly informative Seychelles Tourism Board website.
Huge congrats to this government and tourism officials for their clear communication during these complicated times.
SEYCHELLES TRAVEL ADVISORY

MOZAMBIQUE

Bazaruto's hippest island

AZURA BENGUERRA, on the pristine shores of the Bazaruto Archipelago, is paradise found. Watch dolphins and spot dugongs from a dhow, dive the world-renowned reefs or take off on a paddleboard and explore.

Azura Benguerra is OPEN.
Azura Marlin Beach will resume the rebuild during 2021.
Azura Quilalea is closed until further notice.

HOW TO BOOK
Simple via South Africa, and certainly worth the effort.

FLIGHTS: Mozambique's borders are open for all visitor types of international travel. Airlink will resume direct flights on 10 November from Joburg to Vilanculos on Tuesday and Saturday. Through interline agreements between Airlink and both Emirates and Qatar, passengers from around the world on a single ticket can connect to Vilanculos directly through OR Tambo. Passengers must have proof of onward accommodation.
ARRIVE: A C-19 test is required (72 hours prior to travel) for all travellers entering Mozambique.Screening on arrival. Currently quarantine is self-mandatory for 10 days. Azura Benguerra is approved for quarantine.
STAY: Luxury for Less 10-night package starts from US$ 4,215 per person sharing (includes return helicopter transfer from Vilanculos, all meals, accommodation, island drive, sunset dhow cruise, use of snorkelling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards).
DEPART: For guest convenience, testing will be done at Azura Benguerra if the returning country (or airline they depart Mozambique on) requires a negative PCR test 72 hours before the flight. This will be arranged through AMS, Azura's local Netcare 911 Private Clinic and affiliated hospital. Travellers who self-quarantine for 14 days don’t require an additional C-19 test for departure.
AND FINALLY, Azura Benguerra's new Peri-Peri Club – a short walk down the beach – is exactly where we want to be right now! Condé Nast Traveler declared it one of 'the most stylishly mellow toes-in-the-sand' beach bars in the world.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
By far the best option is a NEW INTERLINE AGREEMENT
between Airlink and both Emirates and Qatar.
A single-ticket takes you through OR Tambo in transit, and connects you directly with the Airlink flight to Vilanculos.

At the moment, the following five airlines are also flying into Maputo:
Ethiopian Airlines, Airlink, LAM, TAP and Qatar. Only the LAM flight connects directly into Vilanculos. For all other airlines flying into Maputo, an overnight stay is required.
The US EMBASSY in Mozambique updates information regularly.

VOTED BEST ISLANDS IN THE WORLD!

Both ALPHONSE ISLAND and AZURA BENGUERRA are thrilled that Condé Nast Traveler voted Bazaruto Archipelago as #1 and Seychelles as #4 in their top five in the Africa and Indian Ocean category in The Best Islands in the World in the 2020 Readers' Choice Awards.

Our pledge to you: While we face so much uncertainty around C-19 travel restrictions and flight access, we will endeavour to share current and relevant information across the Classic Portfolio members as well as the countries in which they operate. However, we are not a travel advisory board and can only collate and share the information that is made available to use at the time.


Warmest regards Suzanne Bayly-Coupe OWNER, Classic Portfolio

South Africa

WHAT WE LOVE: Many of our team are South African and we are all extremely passionate about the country, its people, wildlife and scenic beauty – who would not be with an office in the Cape winelands! But most of all we are proud of what South Africa has achieved and the challenges we have overcome. It is a country that has diversity as its hallmark. From lush forests, vast savannahs, beautiful beaches, arid semi-desert, dramatic mountain ranges to its cosmopolitan cities, ‘Big Five’ wildlife reserves, winelands, gourmet restaurants and colourful shanty towns: South Africa has all any visitor could ask for. Strong on adventure, sport, nature and wildlife, it is also a pioneer and global leader in responsible tourism.

Azura Marlin Beach

OPENING 2021 Located on the southwest shore of Benguerra Island within Mozambique’s pristine Bazaruto Archipelago, Azura Marlin Beach is a funky and fresh addition to the Azura Retreats portfolio. The 10, Mozambican-chic villas are light, bright and breezy and, from a slightly elevated position atop the sand dunes, enjoy incredible views across the Indian Ocean. Each is a haven of rest and relaxation, just metres from the pristine beach they are named after. Choose from a Beach Villa, Beach Villa Grande or the 2-bed Villa Vista, perfect for families.

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