useful info

 

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activities

maps

moving around

local knowledge makes all the difference 

The Sanctuary being a remote and ever-changing place makes local knowledge and experience essential to both new and returning visitors. Language barriers can also make communication with the local community more difficult, so reliance on dependable information sources is essential.

Taryn and Lukas with wedgefish
Bird
info
The Sanctuary brochures

your go-to guide. in print and online

The Sanctuary’s Information Guide is a useful, printed summary of everything a visitor needs to know to make utilising The Sanctuary hassle-free, safe and hospitable, in accordance with the low impact, conservation-friendly mandate that underpins the values of The Sanctuary. This website is updated as and when new information arises and is the most reliable and contemporary port of call for all matters relating to The Sanctuary. The management team is always on hand to give personal guidance and advice to visitors.

your trip

Access to The Sanctuary is facilitated by the close proximity of an international airport at nearby Vilanculos. A short hop by boat across the bay puts Sanctuary sand between your toes in as little as 30 minutes (tide and weather dependant).

getting to Vilanculos by air

SAA Airlink and LAM (Air Mozambique) fly from Johannesburg to Vilanculos. Direct flights take approx. 90 minutes. 

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Vilanculos Airport is an international customs facility.

SADC passport holders do not require visas to enter Mozambique. Other passport holders may purchase visas on arrival but should check specific visa regulations and requirements when planning their trip.

Vilanculos airport has a tarmac runway (1470m length) and a manned air traffic control tower. Landing and parking fees and passenger taxes for private aircraft are charged on departure.

Fresh produce may not be brought into Mozambique without the necessary Veterinary Certificate. Fresh produce may be confiscated at the customs facility.

currency

The currency of Mozambique is the Metical (or plural Meticais). While Rands and US Dollars are widely accepted, exchange rates do not work in the consumer’s favour and we advise carrying Meticais as far as possible. Check conversions here.

Airport transfer
Transport
Vilanculos
birding

no trace left... only lasting memories

Each visitor experiences and enjoys The Sanctuary in different ways. For some, paddling a canoe silently among the mangroves at high tide is a highlight. For others, the excitement of deep sea fishing, or whale watching, or swimming with manta rays and whale sharks off the sand spits represents the pinnacle of their experience. Some visitors prioritise birding while others enjoy the bush experience more. Whatever a visitor takes from The Sanctuary, and you may only take your photographs and memories with you, you are encouraged to leave only footprints behind.

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rules of the sanctuary

The Sanctuary is a tranquil, peaceful place –

  • Please respect the environment and your neighbours by not making noise early in the morning, when leaving your lodge by boat, or by playing loud music at night or on game drives.
  • All sites are private property and may not be accessed without invitation from the owner or authorisation from The Sanctuary.
  • No motorised water sports directly in front of properties or inside the marine protected areas / zones demarcated by buoys.
  • Special care must be taken when approaching artificial reefs by boat.
  • No fishing of any kind is permitted inside the Marine Protected Areas.
  • Jet Ski’s, hovercrafts, motorbikes and quadbikes are not allowed.
  • The use of drones requires special permission from The Sanctuary for environmental and privacy reasons.
  • 4-stroke boat engines are preferred due to lower noise and fuel emissions.
  • Generator notice level must be less than 57 decibels
  • Fires are only allowed in designated areas. Fires may not be made on the beach and firewood may not be cut from vegetation.
  • Fireworks are strictly prohibited.
  • Direct purchase of goods or resources from community members is not allowed. The Sanctuary shop sources from them wherever possible and makes these items available to visitors.
  • Maximum tyre pressure is 1.6 bar to reduce erosion.
  • Maximum speed limit is 25km for the safety of animals and guests.
  • Do not deviate from the roads (driving off-road in the bush or on the beach is prohibited).
  • The colour of all vehicles in the park must be khaki or dark green. The Sanctuary vehicles are exclusively white for easy identification.
  • Refrain from interfering with wildlife, and report any incidents or concerns to The Sanctuary’s office .
  • Homeowners must please notify The Sanctuary when they are visiting.
  • Complete and submit the occupancy and immigration forms to The Sanctuary office.

please note that The Sanctuary team includes security guards, game and marine scouts who are specifically tasked with the care and protection of The Sanctuary’s resources, its visitors and its values. Please respect their role as guardians.

special precautions and helpful hints

  • While the incidence of malaria at The Sanctuary is low the use of prophylaxis is recommended as a precautionary measure, especially during the summer months of September to April. At the very least during the cooler months, mosquito spray should be applied regularly and long-sleeves and long trousers worn at night. Mosquito nets are essential.
  • Malaria is prevalent in Vilanculos and surrounds. Apply mosquito spray liberally when visiting Vilanculos or passing through.
  • Sand fleas tend to feast on particular victims. They breed in the undergrowth along the beachfront and are particularly active during wet weather. Regular spraying of household garden areas and decks helps to break their breeding cycle and is strongly recommended.
  • Razor clam shells nestled in the mud flats in tidal areas can inflict nasty cuts to unsuspecting waders– water shoes are strongly recommended.
  • The tide comes in extremely rapidly and unsuspecting walkers may be overtaken by a rising tide. Plan your walks carefully and avoid trying to walk between the sand spits on a rising tide. Similarly the tide goes out extremely quickly so boat trips should be planned carefully with this in mind to avoid being stranded.
  • Life jackets are to be worn by all boaters when negotiating the Washing Machine en route out to sea and in rough water. It is a requirement by law that boat radios are in working order and a cellphone in a waterproof Pelican box tethered to the boat accompanies all boat rides.
  • Ensure that adequate drinking water accompanies all excursions.
  • Appropriate sunscreen is essential for land and especially sea safaris
  • It is strongly advised that you tell someone where you are going when leaving your site and how long you intend to be away.
  • Blue bottles and jellyfish are common. It is recommended that antihistamine medication is taken along on excursions.
  • Tap water is drinkable at your own risk, and bottled or filtered water is preferable as a precaution.
  • When venturing out by vehicle ensure that you have a spare tyre, necessary tools, a working jack and a solid item to anchor the jack to so that it doesn’t sink into the sand.
  • Vervet monkeys are very common and regularly access open vehicles and houses to steal food. Please do not feed them at any time.
  • While security on The Sanctuary is good it is advisable to lock valuables, money and passports away when not in use. Belongings should not be left on boats or on the beach at night.
  • The local fishermen often make a lot of noise in the early mornings when launching their dhows. Do not be alarmed by this. Should you encounter a local fisherman fishing in a marine protected area please alert The Sanctuary’s management as soon as possible on the Emergency number. Do not confront the fishermen yourself as transgressions need to be handled with particular protocols.

 

liability disclaimer

general

All Members who enter the Sanctuary and utilise any infrastructure or facilities within the Sanctuary shall do so at their own risk, and accordingly the Members indemnify and hold the Company and its officers and staff members harmless against any loss, injury, other casualty, damage, claim or other liability of whatsoever nature arising from such entry and / or use for any purpose whatsoever.
 

building

The Board has the right to suspend any building activity in contravention of any of the conditions laid down, including the design guidelines and Sanctuary Rules and Regulations. The Company accepts no liability whatsoever for any losses sustained by a member and or contractor as a result hereof.

The onus shall be on the contractor and his staff at all times to see to their own safety when on the Sanctuary. The liability for the consequences of any injury sustained on the Sanctuary or reserve whether in or on the sea or land or in the air from whatever cause shall not rest with SOA or Santuario Bravio de Vilanculos Lda, and all contractors hereby indemnify and hold harmless the SOA and Santuário Bravio de Vilanculos, Lda (the Authorisation Holder, its directors and employees, against any claim or loss howsoever arising therefrom).

Tides
Tides

tidal range

The tidal range on The Sanctuary exceeds 4 meters over the spring tide, creating an extensive area that is inundated and then dried twice every 24 hours. Given the strength and speed of tidal flows, the vistas at The Sanctuary transform with remarkable speed, creating an ever-changing horizon. This dynamic feature of The Sanctuary is also one of its dangers, as visitors are prone to misreading the tides and finding themselves stranded. Awareness and caution should be exercised at all times, and visitors are discouraged from venturing too far from base without a guide (skipper) with sound local knowledge of the waterways and the shoreline.

sub-tropical climate

It is hot year-round at The Sanctuary, with a typical friendly sub-tropical climate.

summer (October – March)
Beautiful sunny days with the occasional short afternoon thunderstorm to clear the air. This is peak tourist season time and there are many visitors to the area. It is also the rainy season and there may be one or two days of light continuous rain or short,heavy, refreshing downpours.

Temperatures generally range from 28°C – 33°C with humidity between 70% and 95%.

winter (April – September)
Cooler and dryer with average daytime temperatures of 22°C – 27°C with humidity much lower than in the summer. Frequent mist and dew in the mornings.

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cyclone season (January to March)
Semi-continuous wind and exceptionally high spring tides. Often cloudy with dark skies.

Annual rainfall
1 Dec 2016 – 30 N0v 2017 = 995mm to date (245 mm above average)

Afternoon Clouds
Beach scenery

info articles

Fishing

fishing

Fishing opportunities for the keen angler are among the principle drawcards of The Sanctuary.

The deep sea waters adjacent to The Sanctuary are wor…

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The Sanctuary brochures

brochures

A colour brochure and comprehensive info Guide describe features and practical tips to enjoying The Sanctuary.

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Star Fish

general guidelines

Use of The Sanctuary is governed by simple preservation-guided rules and visitors are guided by certain stipulated precautions to avoid incidents.

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Afternoon Clouds

climate

It is hot year-round at The Sanctuary, with a typical friendly sub-tropical climate.

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Maps

maps

Explore essential visitor info for The Sanctuary and the Bazaruto Archipelago, including maps, tide tables, and practical guidance for safe, low impac…

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Tide Table

tide table

The tidal range on The Sanctuary exceeds 4 meters over Spring tide creating an extensive area that is inundated and then dried twice every 24 hours.

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Arrival

your trip

Access to The Sanctuary is facilitated by the close proximity of an international airport at nearby Vilanculos. A short hop by boat across the bay put…

read more...

A place called

The Sanctuary

Not a slogan. A rare combination of protection, partnership, and wild coastline.