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Immediately: Miavana by Time + Tide versus Kisawa Sanctuary – which one is greatest?
I not often evaluate luxurious resorts on my journey weblog. I’ve solely carried out it as soon as final yr, 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 might 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. Immediately, I’m including one other lodge comparability to my weblog: Miavana by Time + Tida in Madagascar (which debuted in 2017; learn my evaluate right here) versus Kisawa Sanctuary in Mozambique (which debuted 2019; learn my evaluate right here). Each ultra-luxe properties rank among the many world’s greatest seashore resorts they usually share loads of similarities (spectacular seashore setting, monumental personal villas, nature-focused excursions, top-notch service, and so forth …). Furthermore, each resorts are thought to be the last 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 evening, though that features all meals, drinks in addition to a collection 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? In that case, what was your expertise and which resort did you like? Depart a remark.
For ease of navigation, I’ll evaluate the next points of Miavana and Kisawa (asserting a winner in every class):
1. LOCATION
Miavana by Time + Tide calls the Indian Ocean island of Madagscar its residence. Mysterious and shrouded in fable, Madagascar is among the most original, 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 attention-grabbing historical past. A transient location for seasonal fisherman, the island’s one small village misplaced its whole 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 method to keep away from police management on the roads in northern Madagascar. Immediately, the island is the unique residence 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 resembling 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 gives an invite to flee the cacophony of on a regular basis life.
Winner: Miavana (due to its personal island setting).
2. GETTING THERE
Miavana enjoys a distant setting, which is a part of its enchantment. That mentioned, getting there implies an extended 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 gives 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 each day industrial flights from Johannesburg (JNB) and Maputo (MPT). After touching down in Vilankulos, a Kisawa airport host meets and assists visitors by immigration, and introduces them to the third-party helicopter firm. The flight to the resort takes solely about 5 to 10 minutes and gives unimaginable vistas of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Alternatively, visitors can even attain Kisawa from Vilankulos by personal boat, a journey which takes about half-hour and which will also 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 is going to take a 90 min flight to Vilankulos adopted by a ten min helicopter flight to succeed in 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 through Johannesburg Airport after a safari since Airlink gives direct flights from Kruger Worldwide Airport to Vilankulos on chosen days; attending to Miavana after a South African safari will at all times 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 seashore villas, providing one, two and three bedrooms. House is not any concern as these palatial villas are monumental in measurement. And what’s extra, they’re dotted on the island’s western aspect alongside the magnificent seashore, affording spectacular views of the ocean, mainland Madagascar (on the horizon), and the sundown. Every villa contains a personal pool, lush backyard, fashionable eating and residing space, well-stocked kitchenette, master suite with ensuite rest room, and a classroom which might 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 personal residences that are a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom luxurious villas. Among the residences are positioned 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 at the least 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 contains a front room, bed room with kingsize mattress, two dressing rooms, an outsized rest room, 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 during 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 favor 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 just discover at many different tropical seashore resorts. The ethereal and lightweight, Le Corbusier impressed interiors characteristic impartial tones of ivory and lightweight brown, matching the resort’s seashore, rock partitions, and decks. The minimalist class is counterbalanced by a couple of sprinkles of turquoise (e.g. curtains, daybeds, deckchairs) that carry a decisive island vibe.
An African impressed design is among the pillars of Kisawa. Born out of a need to mix in, slightly 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 pleasure 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 supply a considerate and genuine sense of place, and a reference to the pure setting.
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 non-public 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 underneath 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 an excellent, curved infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean on the opposite aspect. The piazza additionally boasts a seashore pizzeria and a classy 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 fantastic pool space, which is positioned proper subsequent to the spa & health club 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 rest and wellbeing. The spa – which matches by the identify Pure Wellness Middle – gives particular person therapies or personalised applications rooted in Ayurvedic medication – one of many world’s oldest kinds 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 were developed in collaboration with licensed natural therapeutic oil specialists in Thailand. A state-of-the-art Japanese Iyashi dome sauna makes use of mild infrared warmth to advertise therapeutic. Subsequent to the spa is a totally outfitted health club, 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 might be supplied although by expert therapists within the privateness of your villa. The resort does have a health club although.
Winner: Kisawa (as a result of Miavana doesn’t have a spa)
7. FOOD
As you’ll be able to count on for a resort of this caliber, meals at Miavana is scrumptious (with all meals and most drinks included within the nightly charge). Day by day, the resort’s excellent culinary workforce creates beautiful meals that carry collectively the best native substances with world class ability. Dishes vary from mild and recent to indulgent and delectable, with flavors pulled from across the globe. Each day menus are designed based on the most recent island harvest and particular consideration is given to any dietary necessities you could have. Visitors can select to dine within the privateness of their villa or underneath the celebrities within the resort’s gorgeous primary piazza.
All-inclusive Kisawa Sanctuary has 4 on-site eating places, which is insane once you notice that there are solely 12 villas. Nonetheless, not all eating places are open every evening, though that’s probably not a problem (the employees will suggest a meal plan for every day based on the opening occasions of the eating places). On the 4 culinary places, the ethos stays the identical: a dedication to domestically grown produce, the observe of natural, seasonal gardening strategies, working a zero-waste coverage and utilizing no processed substances. Kisawa has constructed a community of farmers and fishermen from inside the Inhambane province, guaranteeing recent native produce each day. Led by Culinary Director Jospeh Moubayed, the a number of venues supply all kinds of dishes, with a give attention to Mozambican and African flavours.
Winner: Miavana. Though Miavana has just one restaurant in comparison with the 4 eating venues at Kisawa, I did favor the meals at Miavana (which is actually high quality eating and complex). 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 primary eating venue, which serves a extra refined delicacies).
8. BEACH
Fringed by an exceptionally stunning white sand seashore, Miavana represents an insanely stunning island haven the place visitors can take pleasure in distinctive bespoke experiences in final privateness. The limitless, untouched, pristine seashore is lined by a background of palm bushes and supply 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 mild waves and tranquil waters that are good for a swim. The island on which Miavana is positioned is flat, apart from a couple of dunes at its heart (which aren’t seen from the seashore).
Set inside an enormous protected conservation space, Kisawa Sanctuary straddles 5 km (3 mi) of unspoiled shoreline that includes a glamorous white sand seashore that’s lined by big sand dunes. Within the japanese, 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 mild waves. When strolling on the seashore, solely a handful of Kisawa’s thatched roofs are seen amid the African bush, creating an virtually surreal castaway expertise.
Winner: Kisawa. The seashore at Kisawa ranks among the many most stunning 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 – residence 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 implies that actions on the resort are limitless. 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 Might, whereas humpback whales might 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 searching for the highly-endangered Topped lemur, a primate often called Madagascar’s most iconic animal. In the event you really feel the necessity to ‘get off’ the island, then helicopter journeys to the mainland might be organized at a further price. This consists of excursions round northern Madagascar, which is residence 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 adjustments month-to-month to replicate the season and visiting wildlife – ranges from journey and water sports activities to conservation and neighborhood constructing centered actions. For instance, Kisawa gives totally different ranges of PADI licensed personal 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 perfect breeding and nursing floor for humpback whales, and visitors can witness these majestic mammals breaching & rolling in unique expeditions. One other extremely advisable tour at Kisawa Sanctuary is an exploration by personal 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, however it’s laborious to beat Miavana’s personal helicopter excursions (Kisawa additionally supply a restricted vary of helicopter excursions, however these excursions are contracted to a 3rd social gathering helicopter firm).
10. WEATHER
While a vacation in Madagascar – residence of Miavana – might be loved year-round, the principal moist season is from December by to the month of March. Typically involving cyclones, it’s most likely greatest averted! The perfect time to go to Madagascar is subsequently between the months of April by to November, with July to September thought of the prime months to go to with dry, sunny, albeit usually windy climate.
The perfect time to go to Kisawa Sanctuary and the Bazaruto Archipelago is in the course of the dry season, which runs from April to November. These are the cooler however drier winter months, with sunny climate and nice temperatures in the course of the day (nights can get a bit chilly although in July and August). From December to April, the Bazaruto Archipelago is kind of sizzling, which can make touring uncomfortable. From February to March is hurricane season, so when you do go to throughout this time, be ready for infrequent downpours of rain.
Winner: Miavana and Kisawa take pleasure in an identical local weather and seasons, so there’s no clear winner. Through the drier and sunnier winter months (June to September), temperatures could be a bit colder at Kisawa, particularly at evening, whereas Miavana might sometimes undergo from extraordinarily windy circumstances.
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