Bazaruto Archipelago | Mozambique
Marine Predator Tagging Expedition
An Oceans Without Borders Impact Journey
JOIN A GROUP OF MAX 4 GUESTS ON THIS LIMITED EDITION SET-DEPARTURE
PRIVATELY HOSTED AND GUIDED BY MARINE EXPERTS
EXPERIENCE FIRST-HAND INSIGHTS IN MARINE RESEARCH AND TAGGING
WITNESS THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE ISLAND COMMUNITIES IN MARINE CONSERVATION
A BUCKET LIST ADVENTURE WHILE MAKING AN IMPACT
Isac Nhamirre
Isaac was born and bred in Mozambique, on Bazaruto Island. It goes without saying that living on an island meant that after-school activities, entertainment and daily living was centred around the ocean.
He then started travelling around Mozambique, playing an integral role in the opening of many dive centres along the archipelago. In 2017, Isaac joined the &Beyond Benguerra Island Lodge team, as a dive instructor at the lodge’s PADI Dive Centre.
Coming from a small village, he understands the needs of his people and is now a part of finding the solutions in his role as Africa Foundation and Oceans Without Borders Project Manager.
Your journey at a glance
Join a team of marine conservationists and head out into Mozambique’s pristine waters in search of its apex predators.
If you’re a land lover, then we’re sorry but this journey is not for you. Our Marine Predator Tagging Expedition has been specially curated for marine fanatics, adventure enthusiasts, and conservationists in the making. So, if you love the ocean, riding on boats, and interacting with marine life, then we invite you to join a team of dedicated Oceans Without Borders researchers as they set out to tag key marine predator species in the Bazaruto Archipelago, on a 5-day adventure. You will be hosted throughout by Isac Nhamirre, Africa Foundation and Oceans Without Borders Project Manager.
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It won’t be all hard work and no play. What makes this journey a little more enticing is that you will already be staying at &Beyond Benguerra Island with all the usual lodge experiences available to you, but it includes a number of exclusive marine conservation add-on experiences too. This luxurious island retreat is tucked away within a lush indigenous forest fronted by a Marine Conservation Area located in the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park and offers all the amenities you will need to unwind after an adventure-filled day.
Even though the lodge will be your base, this adventure centres around the daily activities of the marine researchers who are fighting to protect Mozambique’s waters and its inhabitants. The annual marine Apex Predator Tagging is a conservation project led by Oceans Without Borders, our marine conservation initiative founded in collaboration with Africa Foundation, our community and conservation development partner. Joining this expedition will immerse you in the wonder of this remarkable archipelago, and provide you with the opportunity to gain first-hand understanding of the intricate linkages between land, sea, and people in island ecosystems, their conservation value, and our individual connections to them.
4 nights Benguerra Island
*Proceeds of this itinerary go toward the Oceans Without Borders Apex Predator Tagging Project.
Hosted throughout by Isac Nhamirre and the team of marine experts
We have hand-picked some of the world’s best marine experts to join our guests on each adventure. Their passion and knowledge is more than just infectious.
Isac Nhamirre
Africa Foundation and Oceans Without Borders Project Manager
Dr Tessa Hempson
Oceans without Borders' Programme Manager and Principal Scientist
Dr Ryan Daly
Marine scientist at South Africa's Oceanographic Research Institute
Dr J.D. Filmalter
Honorary research associate at S.A. Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
Are you ready?
BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE
This unforgettable journey is limited to 4 guests with a set departure date.
Please talk to us if you are interested in booking this journey on a tailormade basis.
A taste of what to expect…
Benguerra Island
Day 1
- After landing in Mozambique’s Vilanculos International Airport, you will be ushered onto a helicopter for short and breath-taking flight to Benguerra Island. You should arrive just in time for lunch, followed by an orientation of your surrounds.
- You will have the rest of your afternoon to spend at your leisure before heading to the lodge library for a briefing of the next few days line-up. This briefing will be hosted by Dr Tessa Hempson, the Oceans Without Borders Programme Manager and Principle Scientist. She will explore the importance of coral reef ecosystems, climate and people and their interconnection, together with the conservation role of apex predator tagging, what you can expect from the experience, and how the next few days will unfold.
MARINE PREDATOR TAGGING AT BENGUERRA
Marine scientists Dr Ryan Daly and Dr John D Filmalter, fresh from October’s seasonal tagging activities, provide a fascinating window on the world of acoustic telemetry and apex predator tagging.
Benguerra Island
Day 2
- It’s an early start today as you rise before the sun to follow the research boat out to sea as they search for marine predator species such as giant trevally and grey reef sharks. Isac will accompany you and share first-hand insights on the marine research happening within the archipelago. Mother Nature can be unpredictable at best, so we have allowed two days for this experience to unfold; to better your chances of participating in the tagging on the research boat.
- In addition , you may well have the opportunity for catch-and-release fishing. (Your adventure will last the morning; you’ll then break for lunch back at the lodge).
- Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind, freshen up and take some time for reflection before opting to go on a horseback ride on the beach, or perhaps taking a scenic helicopter flight over the marine park, in search of the elusive dugong and whales from the air. This flight would attract an additional cost.
- Tonight, feast on the beach alongside your hosts and a representative from African Parks who will talk about the fascinating projects such as coral reef conservation and other measures being taken to protect the waters of Mozambique.
Benguerra Island
Day 3
- Make a splash this morning, either on a scuba diving or snorkelling excursion (depending on what you are comfortable with) to a nearby coral reef. Following on the evening discussions, this is your opportunity to view for yourself the beauty and fragility of these marine habitats
- After a fun-filled morning, you will head back to the lodge for lunch and the opportunity to freshen up before spending the afternoon on an island drive. You’ll be visiting some current Africa Foundation community projects and witnessing the important role played by these island communities in marine conservation.
- The opportunity for a spectacular sundowner stop on the “wild side” of the island, amidst pristine sand dunes, will bring your afternoon to the perfect end.
- Tonight, enjoy a dinner with your hosts and the research team or simply choose to take a little time out to enjoy your meal in privacy.
Benguerra Island
Day 4
- Today, you will have the option of once again heading out with the research team to fish for, and tag, predator species, or you can spend the morning unwinding and enjoying the many lodge activities available to you.
- For lunch, you will be whisked away for an island picnic, on the northern point of Benguerra, with the full research team to celebrate your expedition’s success.
- In the late afternoon, meet at the Dhow Bar for sundowners and the opportunity to see a VEMCO receiver, learn more about hydrophones, also known as a ‘GT telephone’, where you will even get to listen to the signals from the tags.
- Tonight, will be your final dinner with the lodge manager.
Benguerra Island
Day 5
- Spend time at your leisure this morning before we wave a fond farewell as you hop onboard the helicopter flight back to the mainland, where you will catch your onward flight
We invite you to join a team of dedicated Oceans Without Borders researchers
as they set out to tag key marine predator species in the Bazaruto Archipelago.
What's included
- Scheduled flights as follows:
- OR Tambo International Airport to Vilanculos Airport to OR Tambo International Airport
- Helicopter flights as follows:
- Vilanculos Airport to Benguerra Island to Vilanculos Airport
- Accommodation - &Beyond Benguerra Ilsand Lodge
- Meals as specified
- Soft drinks, house wine, local brand spirits, local beer, teas and coffees (excluding premium brands)
- Park fees
- Activities included: Scuba diving - max 2 dives per day (tide-dependent) - full PADI certification required, horse riding, sea kayaking, sunset dhow cruise, scheduled snorkelling trip, castaway picnic, island expedition & local village tour (subject to availability and weather conditions)
- Marine Predator tagging
- Laundry
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Administration fee
What's not included
- Gratuities and all items of a personal nature
- Champagne, cognacs, cellar wines, cigars and cigarettes
- Visas (visit our partner, Sherpa, for reliable and convenient access to all visa-related)
- Travel insurance (visit our partner Global Rescue for more information)
Conditions
- *Rates are quoted on a per person sharing based on 4 guests per departure
- Departure dates on request basis
- Maximum 4 guests per departure
- &Beyond reserves the right to cancel the journey due to a minimum number of guests not being reached on this departure. In such a case, a full refund will be made to you. This will be determined on 5 months before the departure and will be communicated to you
- Single traveller supplement rates will be quoted on request.
- This offer may not be combined with other offers. However, additional nights may be added by using the applicable long stay rate. Should you wish to travel on different dates with your own party, please contact one of our dedicated Travel Specialists to plan your adventure
- Flight cost is subject to availability and rates are subject to change
- &Beyond may need to pass on cancellation/amendment costs once bookings including the flight offer have been confirmed
- The rates quoted are subject to change without warning if there are any increases in bed levies, park fees, fuel, sales tax or VAT, third-party services or any other circumstances beyond our control in Mozambique.
- Should a booking fall over two rate periods the rate will change and we reserve the right to re-quote.
- &Beyond trading terms apply
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