everything you need
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.
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).
