Friday newsletters all the time function luxurious journey contests, ideas, or information.
At the moment: Miavana by Time + Tide versus Kisawa Sanctuary – which one is greatest?
I hardly ever examine luxurious resorts on my journey weblog. I’ve solely executed it as soon as final 12 months, by evaluating the 4 Seasons Bora Bora with the St Regis Bora Bora. I did so as a result of most discerning vacationers who wish to journey to Bora Bora shall be confronted with the dilemma of staying at both the 4 Seasons or the St Regis, the 2 most unique 5-star resorts on the island. At the moment, I’m including one other lodge comparability to my weblog: Miavana by Time + Tida in Madagascar (which debuted in 2017; learn my assessment right here) versus Kisawa Sanctuary in Mozambique (which debuted 2019; learn my assessment right here). Each ultra-luxe properties rank among the many world’s greatest seaside resorts they usually share quite a lot of similarities (spectacular seaside setting, monumental non-public villas, nature-focused excursions, top-notch service, and many others …). Furthermore, each resorts are considered the last word seaside getaway after a safari in Southern Africa and they’re in the identical value vary (we’re speaking right here about room charges that begin at 5000 euros per evening, though that features all meals, drinks in addition to a number of actions. The query is: which one is greatest, Miavana or Kisawa? So, right here’s my detailed comparability of each resorts.
Have you ever ever stayed at Miavana and Kisawa? If that’s the case, what was your expertise and which resort did you favor? Go away a remark.
For ease of navigation, I’ll examine the next features of Miavana and Kisawa (saying a winner in every class):
1. LOCATION
Miavana by Time + Tide calls the Indian Ocean island of Madagscar its dwelling. Mysterious and shrouded in fable, Madagascar is without doubt one of the most unusual, iconic and biodiverse locations on earth. The ultra-luxe property is situated on the distant island sanctuary of Nosy Ankao, off the north east coast of Madagascar. Nosy Anko is the most important of 5 islands within the Ankao archipelago, providing turquoise Indian Ocean waters, pristine seashores, and untouched wilderness. Nosy Ankao has an attention-grabbing historical past. A transient location for seasonal fisherman, the island’s one small village misplaced its total inhabitants (of round 10) after they ate turtle meat which was poisoned by seasonal algae. Within the Nineteen Nineties the island was utilized by ‘pirates’ as a strategy to keep away from police management on the roads in northern Madagascar. At the moment, the island is the unique dwelling of Miavana (apart from the native village whose inhabitants now work on the resort).
Kisawa Sanctuary is situated in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, a area which broke away from the mainland 1000’s of years in the past and now harbors one of many planet’s richest but least explored subtropical ecosystem. The waters that lap the archipelago are crammed to the brim with an array of reef fish, sea turtles and sport fish. An assortment of endangered marine life have additionally been documented right here reminiscent of whale sharks, manta rays, leatherback turtles, humpback whales and the very uncommon dugong. Declared a Nationwide Park in 1971, the Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of 5 islands: Santa Carolina, Bangué, Benguerra Island, Magaruque, and Bazaruto. Kisawa is about on Benguerra Island, the second largest island within the Bazaruto Archipelago, which extends over a mere 11 km (6.8 mi) in size. With simply two intimate ultra-luxe lodges adorning its shores (Kisawa Sanctuary and &Past Benguerra Island), the island provides an invite to flee the cacophony of on a regular basis life.
Winner: Miavana (due to its non-public island setting).
2. GETTING THERE
Miavana enjoys a distant setting, which is a part of its attraction. That mentioned, getting there implies a protracted journey: you might want to take a flight to one of many two airports in Northern Madagascar (Nosy Be or Diego Suarez), that are solely served by a small variety of airways, adopted by a 30 min (from Diego Suarez) or 60 min (from Nosy Be) helicopter flight. The helicopter flight itself provides breathtaking vistas although of the wild landscapes of one of many world’s final wilderness frontiers, together with fowl’s eye views of humpback whales within the ocean beneath if you’re fortunate. Miavana has full-time helicopter pilots available that use the resorts’ privately owned Robinson R66 helicopters, that are painted turquoise with white stripes to match the resort’s interiors.
Attending to Kisawa Sanctuary is rather a lot simpler as in comparison with Miavana. The resort is accessible by helicopter from the close by airport of Vilankulos, which receives day by day industrial flights from Johannesburg (JNB) and Maputo (MPT). After touching down in Vilankulos, a Kisawa airport host meets and assists visitors via immigration, and introduces them to the third-party helicopter firm. The flight to the resort takes solely about 5 to 10 minutes and provides unbelievable vistas of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Alternatively, visitors may also attain Kisawa from Vilankulos by non-public boat, a journey which takes about half-hour and which can be organized upon reserving.
Winner: Kisawa (as a result of getting there may be much less time consuming). When your journey originates in Johannesburg, it’ll take a 90 min flight to Vilankulos adopted by a ten min helicopter flight to achieve Kisawa in comparison with a 3 hour flight to Nosy Bay, adopted by a 60 min helicopter flight to get to Miavana. Kisawa additionally has the benefit that it may be reached with out backtracking by way of Johannesburg Airport after a safari since Airlink provides direct flights from Kruger Worldwide Airport to Vilankulos on chosen days; attending to Miavana after a South African safari will all the time contain a bit extra planning: Airlink solely flies twice every week to Nosy Be and these flights leaves within the morning (so you should have the spend the evening earlier than the flight in Johannesburg).
3. VILLAS
Miavana options 14 supremely luxurious seaside villas, providing one, two and three bedrooms. House is not any challenge as these palatial villas are monumental in dimension. And what’s extra, they’re dotted on the island’s western aspect alongside the magnificent seaside, affording spectacular views of the ocean, mainland Madagascar (on the horizon), and the sundown. Every villa includes a non-public pool, lush backyard, trendy eating and residing space, well-stocked kitchenette, main bedroom with ensuite toilet, and a lecture room which will be transformed right into a youngsters’s bed room. Every villa additionally comes with its personal bicycles and electrical buggy to discover the island.
Kisawa Sanctuary options 12 monumental non-public residences that are a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom luxurious villas. A number of the residences are situated on the calmer cove (lagoon) aspect whereas others shelter within the dunes on the ocean aspect, but all are fastidiously positioned inside their very own secluded plot of a minimum of one acre of beachfront, sand dunes and forest. Since there may be a lot area between dwelling, most privateness and optimum appreciation of the pure setting are ensured. Every villa includes a lounge, bed room with kingsize mattress, two dressing rooms, an outsized toilet, and a separate paviolion housing a shaded lounge & eating space, out of doors kitchen, and personal swimming pool. Every residence has its personal devoted Mini Moke in the course of the visitor’s go to.
Winner: The large villas at Miavana and Kisawa are equally spectacular, so there’s no clear winner right here (though I did choose Kisawa’s Mini Mokes in comparison with Miavana’s electrical buggies).
4. STYLE & DESIGN
Miavana includes a glamorous decor and structure, designed by Johannesburg-based architects Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens. Actually translating ‘to reconcile’, Miavana’s design blends barefoot seaside luxurious with mid-century modernism, which is a welcome aid for the heavy Balinese fashion with thatched pavilions that you just discover at many different tropical seaside resorts. The ethereal and light-weight, Le Corbusier impressed interiors function impartial tones of ivory and light-weight brown, matching the resort’s seaside, rock partitions, and decks. The minimalist class is counterbalanced by just a few sprinkles of turquoise (e.g. curtains, daybeds, deckchairs) that deliver a decisive island vibe.
An African impressed design is without doubt one of the pillars of Kisawa. Born out of a need to mix in, fairly than interrupt, Kisawa’s method to craftsmanship and design primarily concerned the native individuals from Benguerra and the neighbouring islands. In consequence, the expert work of native weavers, thatchers, carpenters and textile makers is showcased with satisfaction all through the property. Celebrating the wealthy cultural historical past of Africa, distinctive artwork and antiques had been sourced from throughout the continent, guaranteeing the preservation of heritage artefacts and their remaining provenance. These helpful works sit alongside domestically made bespoke furnishings, all coming collectively to offer a considerate and genuine sense of place, and a reference to the pure setting.
Winner: Miavana. I most popular the modernist fashion of Miavana as in comparison with the African design of Kisawa, however that’s only a matter of non-public style in fact.
5. COMMUNAL AREAS
Miavana includes a magnificent beachfront public space, known as the ‘village’ or ‘piazza’. The piazza’s central stage is an open-air lounge and eating pavilion beneath an intricate palm-leaf-woven roof. Seemingly floating on a clear-blue water pond, this pavilion is flanked on one aspect by a bar which mimics a ruined fort (with rooftop terrace) and by a wonderful, curved infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean on the opposite aspect. The piazza additionally boasts a seaside pizzeria and an elegant indoor restaurant with well-stocked wine cellar. The latter is topped by 4 domes, every pierced with a round glass skylight, permitting celestial beams of sunshine into the area.
Apart from a phenomenal pool space, which is situated proper subsequent to the spa & gymnasium within the dunes overlooking the Indian Ocean, Kisawa doesn’t have a communal visitor space. Most visitors of Kisawa will keep at their villa throughout their vacation, solely venturing out for dinners, spa therapies and excursions (however that’s additionally the case at Miavana).
Winner: Miavana (as a result of Kisawa doesn’t have a communal space)
6. SPA
Situated amongst the dunes on the coronary heart of Kisawa, is a wellness heart devoted to leisure and wellbeing. The spa – which matches by the title Pure Wellness Middle – provides particular person therapies or personalised applications rooted in Ayurvedic drugs – one of many world’s oldest kinds ofholistic drugs, combining therapeutic massage therapies, vitality and sound therapeutic work, meditation, acupressure, yoga, reiki and breath work. For therapies, the spa makes use of 5 signature important therapy and blended therapeutic massage oils which were developed in collaboration with licensed natural therapeutic oil specialists in Thailand. A state-of-the-art Japanese Iyashi dome sauna makes use of light infrared warmth to advertise therapeutic. Subsequent to the spa is a completely geared up gymnasium, the place Pilates reformers can be found for visitors to make use of alone or with skilled tuition.
Miavana by Time + Tide lacks a spa facility. Spa therapies will be supplied although by expert therapists within the privateness of your villa. The resort does have a gymnasium although.
Winner: Kisawa (as a result of Miavana doesn’t have a spa)
7. FOOD
As you possibly can count on for a resort of this caliber, meals at Miavana is scrumptious (with all meals and most drinks included within the nightly charge). On daily basis, the resort’s excellent culinary workforce creates beautiful meals that deliver collectively the best native components with world class ability. Dishes vary from mild and recent to indulgent and delectable, with flavors pulled from across the globe. Every day menus are designed in keeping with the newest island harvest and particular consideration is given to any dietary necessities you might have. Company can select to dine within the privateness of their villa or beneath the celebs within the resort’s gorgeous fundamental piazza.
All-inclusive Kisawa Sanctuary has 4 on-site eating places, which is insane while you understand that there are solely 12 villas. Nevertheless, not all eating places are open every evening, though that’s not likely a problem (the workers will suggest a meal plan for every day in keeping with the opening occasions of the eating places). On the 4 culinary places, the ethos stays the identical: a dedication to domestically grown produce, the apply of natural, seasonal gardening strategies, working a zero-waste coverage and utilizing no processed components. Kisawa has constructed a community of farmers and fishermen from inside the Inhambane province, guaranteeing recent native produce day by day. Led by Culinary Director Jospeh Moubayed, the a number of venues supply all kinds of dishes, with a deal with Mozambican and African flavours.
Winner: Miavana. Though Miavana has just one restaurant in comparison with the 4 eating venues at Kisawa, I did choose the meals at Miavana (which is really fantastic eating and complicated). Whereas meals at Kisawa is unbelievable good, the resort’s delicacies focuses on wholesome and locally-inspired home-style cooking however I’d not describe it as actually fine-dining (apart from the primary eating venue, which serves a extra subtle delicacies).
8. BEACH
Fringed by an exceptionally lovely white sand seaside, Miavana represents an insanely lovely island haven the place visitors can get pleasure from distinctive bespoke experiences in final privateness. The countless, untouched, pristine seaside is lined by a background of palm bushes and supply views throughout the Indian Ocean in direction of the mainland of Madagascar. The seaside right here is protected by a sprawling coral reef, so it makes for light waves and tranquil waters that are good for a swim. The island on which Miavana is situated is flat, apart from just a few dunes at its heart (which aren’t seen from the seaside).
Set inside a large protected conservation space, Kisawa Sanctuary straddles 5 km (3 mi) of unspoiled shoreline that includes a glamorous white sand seaside that’s lined by big sand dunes. Within the jap, ocean-side a part of the property, the wild seaside includes a highly effective surf and crushing shorebreak, whereas the southern and western lagoon-side a part of the sanctuary includes a extra calm seaside, lapped by light waves. When strolling on the seaside, solely a handful of Kisawa’s thatched roofs are seen amid the African bush, creating an nearly surreal castaway expertise.
Winner: Kisawa. The seaside at Kisawa ranks among the many most lovely seashores I’ve ever seen at a resort throughout all my years of touring across the globe. The great thing about the property’s dunes, white sands and indigenous forest is jaw-droppingly spectacular.
9. EXCURSIONS
Nosy Ankao – dwelling of Miavana – kinds a part of almost 15,000 hectares of marine area that together with the adjoining mainland makes up the Loky Manambato Protected Space. It signifies that actions on the resort are countless. There are alternatives to snorkel or dive the encompassing reef or enterprise out deep-sea fishing past it. Guided boat excursions across the bays, lagoons and seashores present helpful perception into this gorgeous and various ecosystem. Dolphin watching is feasible from October to Could, whereas humpback whales will be noticed between July and October. 4 species of turtle are present in these waters and they are often seen nesting between Could and mid-July. One other spotlight to not be missed is a guided trek in Miavana’s native forest in the hunt for the highly-endangered Topped lemur, a primate referred to as Madagascar’s most iconic animal. For those who really feel the necessity to ‘get off’ the island, then helicopter journeys to the mainland will be organized at an extra price. This consists of excursions round northern Madagascar, which is dwelling to fabulous landscapes and two well-known Nationwide Parks.
Set amid a nationwide marine park within the pristine Bazaruto Archipelago, Kisawa has entry to a few of the most on this planet. The resort’s schedule of visitor experiences – which modifications month-to-month to mirror the season and visiting wildlife – ranges from journey and water sports activities to conservation and neighborhood constructing targeted actions. For instance, Kisawa provides totally different ranges of PADI licensed non-public and group diving experiences that vary from naked pores and skin snorkelling with turtles and reef fish to deep sea diving with black, blue and striped marlin, sail fish, yellowfin tuna, bull and tiger sharks and manta rays. Additionally from July to October, the Mozambique Channel turns into the best breeding and nursing floor for humpback whales, and visitors can witness these majestic mammals breaching & rolling in unique expeditions. One other extremely beneficial tour at Kisawa Sanctuary is an exploration by non-public boat of the Bazaruto Archipelago, which incorporates stops at idyllic seashores and towering sand dunes.
Winner: Miavana. Each Miavana and Kisawa supply a variety of gorgeous excursions, but it surely’s exhausting to beat Miavana’s non-public helicopter excursions (Kisawa additionally supply a restricted vary of helicopter excursions, however these excursions are contracted to a 3rd occasion helicopter firm).
10. WEATHER
While a vacation in Madagascar – dwelling of Miavana – will be loved year-round, the principal moist season is from December via to the month of March. Usually involving cyclones, it’s most likely greatest prevented! The most effective time to go to Madagascar is due to this fact between the months of April via to November, with July to September thought of the prime months to go to with dry, sunny, albeit usually windy climate.
The most effective time to go to Kisawa Sanctuary and the Bazaruto Archipelago is throughout the dry season, which runs from April to November. These are the cooler however drier winter months, with sunny climate and nice temperatures throughout the day (nights can get a bit chilly although in July and August). From December to April, the Bazaruto Archipelago is sort of sizzling, which can make touring uncomfortable. From February to March is hurricane season, so in case you do go to throughout this time, be ready for infrequent downpours of rain.
Winner: Miavana and Kisawa get pleasure from the same local weather and seasons, so there’s no clear winner. Through the drier and sunnier winter months (June to September), temperatures generally is a bit colder at Kisawa, particularly at evening, whereas Miavana might often undergo from extraordinarily windy situations.
*** Comply with me on Instagram, YouTube, X or Fb for a day by day second of journey inspiration ***
