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Friday newsletters all the time function luxurious journey contests, suggestions, or information.
At present: Miavana by Time + Tide versus Kisawa Sanctuary – which one is finest?
I not often evaluate luxurious resorts on my journey weblog. I’ve solely finished 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 will probably be confronted with the dilemma of staying at both the 4 Seasons Bora Bora or the St Regis Bora Bora, the 2 most unique 5-star resorts on the island. At present, I’m including one other lodge comparability to my weblog: Miavana by Time + Tida in Madagascar (which debuted in 2017; learn my overview right here) versus Kisawa Sanctuary in Mozambique (which debuted 2019; learn my overview right here). Each ultra-luxe properties rank among the many world’s finest seashore resorts they usually share a whole lot of similarities (spectacular seashore setting, huge non-public villas, nature-focused excursions, top-notch service, and so forth …). Furthermore, each resorts are considered the final word seashore 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 night time, though that features all meals, drinks in addition to a collection of actions. The query is: which one is finest, 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 evaluate the next features of Miavana and Kisawa (asserting 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 likely one of the most unusual, iconic and biodiverse locations on earth. The ultra-luxe property is positioned on the distant island sanctuary of Nosy Ankao, off the north east coast of Madagascar. Nosy Anko is the biggest of 5 islands within the Ankao archipelago, providing turquoise Indian Ocean waters, pristine seashores, and untouched wilderness. Nosy Ankao has an fascinating 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 present, the island is the unique dwelling of Miavana (apart from the native village whose inhabitants now work on the resort).
Kisawa Sanctuary is positioned in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, a area which broke away from the mainland hundreds 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 stuffed 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 ready 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 stated, getting there implies a protracted journey: you should 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 hen’s eye views of humpback whales within the ocean under in case you are fortunate. Miavana has full-time helicopter pilots readily 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 loads simpler as in comparison with Miavana. The resort is accessible by helicopter from the close by airport of Vilankulos, which receives each day business flights from Johannesburg (JNB) and Maputo (MPT). After touching down in Vilankulos, a Kisawa airport host meets and assists company by way of immigration, and introduces them to the third-party helicopter firm. The flight to the resort takes solely about 5 to 10 minutes and provides unimaginable vistas of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Alternatively, company can even attain Kisawa from Vilankulos by non-public boat, a journey which takes about half-hour and which will also be organized upon reserving.
Winner: Kisawa (as a result of getting there’s much less time consuming). When your journey originates in Johannesburg, it can 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 per week to Nosy Be and these flights leaves within the morning (so you’ll have the spend the night time earlier than the flight in Johannesburg).
3. VILLAS
Miavana options 14 supremely luxurious seashore villas, providing one, two and three bedrooms. Area is not any problem as these palatial villas are huge in measurement. And what’s extra, they’re dotted on the island’s western facet alongside the magnificent seashore, affording spectacular views of the ocean, mainland Madagascar (on the horizon), and the sundown. Every villa contains a non-public pool, lush backyard, fashionable eating and dwelling space, well-stocked kitchenette, master suite with ensuite rest room, and a school room which will be transformed right into a kids’s bed room. Every villa additionally comes with its personal bicycles and electrical buggy to discover the island.
Kisawa Sanctuary options 12 huge non-public residences that are a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom luxurious villas. Among the residences are positioned on the calmer cove (lagoon) facet whereas others shelter within the dunes on the ocean facet, but all are fastidiously positioned inside their very own secluded plot of no less than one acre of beachfront, sand dunes and forest. Since there’s a lot house between dwelling, most privateness and optimum appreciation of the pure surroundings are ensured. Every villa contains a lounge, bed room with kingsize mattress, two dressing rooms, an outsized rest room, and a separate paviolion housing a shaded lounge & eating space, outside kitchen, and personal swimming pool. Every residence has its personal devoted Mini Moke during the visitor’s go to.
Winner: The big 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 contains a glamorous decor and structure, designed by Johannesburg-based architects Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens. Actually translating ‘to reconcile’, Miavana’s design blends barefoot seashore luxurious with mid-century modernism, which is a welcome aid for the heavy Balinese model with thatched pavilions that you simply discover at many different tropical seashore resorts. The ethereal and light-weight, Le Corbusier impressed interiors function impartial tones of ivory and light-weight brown, matching the resort’s seashore, rock partitions, and decks. The minimalist class is counterbalanced by just a few sprinkles of turquoise (e.g. curtains, daybeds, deckchairs) that convey a decisive island vibe.
An African impressed design is likely one of the pillars of Kisawa. Born out of a need to mix in, fairly than interrupt, Kisawa’s strategy 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 delight all through the property. Celebrating the wealthy cultural historical past of Africa, distinctive artwork and antiques have been sourced from throughout the continent, guaranteeing the preservation of heritage artefacts and their remaining provenance. These worthwhile works sit alongside domestically made bespoke furnishings, all coming collectively to supply a considerate and genuine sense of place, and a reference to the pure surroundings.
Winner: Miavana. I most popular the modernist model of Miavana as in comparison with the African design of Kisawa, however that’s only a matter of private style after all.
5. COMMUNAL AREAS
Miavana contains 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 facet 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 facet. The piazza additionally boasts a seashore 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 house.
Aside from an exquisite pool space, which is positioned proper subsequent to the spa & fitness center within the dunes overlooking the Indian Ocean, Kisawa doesn’t have a communal visitor space. Most company 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
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 packages rooted in Ayurvedic medication – one of many world’s oldest types ofholistic medication, 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 have been developed in collaboration with licensed natural therapeutic oil specialists in Thailand. A cutting-edge Japanese Iyashi dome sauna makes use of light infrared warmth to advertise therapeutic. Subsequent to the spa is a totally geared up fitness center, the place Pilates reformers can be found for company 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 fitness center although.
Winner: Kisawa
7. FOOD
As you may count on for a resort of this caliber, meals at Miavana is scrumptious (with all meals and most drinks included within the nightly fee). Each day, the resort’s excellent culinary group creates beautiful meals that convey collectively the best native components with world class ability. Dishes vary from gentle and contemporary to indulgent and delectable, with flavors pulled from across the globe. Each day menus are designed in keeping with the most recent island harvest and particular consideration is given to any dietary necessities you might have. Friends can select to dine within the privateness of their villa or beneath the celebs within the resort’s gorgeous essential 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 night time, though that’s probably not a problem (the employees will suggest a meal plan for every day in keeping with the opening occasions of the eating places). On the 4 culinary areas, 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 throughout the Inhambane province, guaranteeing contemporary native produce each day. Led by Culinary Director Jospeh Moubayed, the a number of venues provide all kinds of dishes, with a concentrate on 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 actually advantageous eating and complicated). Whereas meals at Kisawa is unimaginable good, the resort’s delicacies focuses on wholesome and locally-inspired home-style cooking however I might not describe it as really fine-dining (apart from the principle eating venue, which serves a extra subtle delicacies).
8. BEACH
Fringed by an exceptionally lovely white sand seashore, Miavana represents an insanely lovely island haven the place company can take pleasure in distinctive bespoke experiences in final privateness. The limitless, untouched, pristine seashore is lined by a background of palm timber and provide views throughout the Indian Ocean in direction of the mainland of Madagascar. The seashore right here is protected by a sprawling coral reef, so it makes for light waves and tranquil waters that are excellent for a swim. The island on which Miavana is positioned is flat, apart from just a few dunes at its heart (which aren’t seen from the seashore).
Set inside a large protected conservation space, Kisawa Sanctuary straddles 5 km (3 mi) of unspoiled shoreline that includes a glamorous white sand seashore that’s lined by enormous sand dunes. Within the jap, ocean-side a part of the property, the wild seashore contains a highly effective surf and crushing shorebreak, whereas the southern and western lagoon-side a part of the sanctuary contains a extra calm seashore, lapped by light waves. When strolling on the seashore, solely a handful of Kisawa’s thatched roofs are seen amid the African bush, creating an nearly surreal castaway expertise.
Winner: Kisawa. The seashore 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 fantastic thing about the property’s dunes, white sands and indigenous forest is jaw-droppingly spectacular.
9. EXCURSIONS
Nosy Ankao – dwelling of Miavana – types a part of almost 15,000 hectares of marine house that together with the adjoining mainland makes up the Loky Manambato Protected Space. It signifies that actions on the resort are limitless. There are alternatives to snorkel or dive the encircling reef or enterprise out deep-sea fishing past it. Guided boat excursions across the bays, lagoons and seashores present worthwhile perception into this gorgeous and various ecosystem. Dolphin watching is feasible from October to Might, 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 Might and mid-July. One other spotlight to not be missed is a guided trek in Miavana’s native forest looking for the highly-endangered Topped lemur, a primate often called Madagascar’s most iconic animal. When you really feel the necessity to ‘get off’ the island, then helicopter journeys to the mainland will be organized at a further charge. 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 number of the most on the planet. The resort’s schedule of visitor experiences – which adjustments month-to-month to replicate the season and visiting wildlife – ranges from journey and water sports activities to conservation and group constructing centered actions. For instance, Kisawa provides completely 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 company can witness these majestic mammals breaching & rolling in unique expeditions. One other extremely really useful 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 provide a variety of gorgeous excursions, but it surely’s arduous to beat Miavana’s non-public helicopter excursions (Kisawa additionally provide 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 by way of to the month of March. Typically involving cyclones, it’s most likely finest averted! One of the best time to go to Madagascar is due to this fact between the months of April by way of to November, with July to September thought of the prime months to go to with dry, sunny, albeit typically windy climate.
One of the best time to go to Kisawa Sanctuary and the Bazaruto Archipelago is through the dry season, which runs from April to November. These are the cooler however drier winter months, with sunny climate and nice temperatures through the day (nights can get a bit chilly although in July and August). From December to April, the Bazaruto Archipelago is sort of scorching, which can make touring uncomfortable. From February to March is hurricane season, so in the event you do go to throughout this time, be ready for infrequent downpours of rain.
Winner: Miavana and Kisawa take pleasure in the same local weather and seasons, so there’s no clear winner. In the course of the drier and sunnier winter months (June to September), temepratures generally is a bit colder at Kisawa, particularly at night time, whereas Miavana could sometimes undergo from extraordinarily windy situations.
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