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Welcome to Vogue’s first-ever spa guide—a compendium of the 100 best spas worldwide, pulling from the expertise of our global editors. There is a lot out there in the world of wellness, and we are here to sort the cryo from the cold plunge, the infrared light treatment from the IV infusion. Or if your path is a more holistic one—there’s something for you here as well.
Why go here?
Any guest embarking on the journey to get to this remote resort, must have a desire for exploration. And yet, Kisawa has also built up a well-developed, thoughtful menu of offerings for those who want to spend at least part of their time staying put.
Kisawa Sanctuary doesn’t use the word spa. It’s a Natural Wellness Center that encompasses their beachside compound with a yoga studio, a 25-meter lap pool, a reformer pilates studio, and yes, treatment rooms. (Massages and facials embrace local ingredients, like coconut oil and wild honey.) Treatments are based on the ideals of Ayurveda and include healing techniques that focus on massages, acupressure, and holistic medicine.
The facilities are spread over several thatched circular domes on a pristine, sandy expanse overlooking the turquoise tides of the Indian Ocean—without another soul or structure in sight. “The aim of the Natural Wellness Center is to ensure a progressive holistic experience that can be curated to the needs of the individual, helping to make them feel connected to the spectacular nature that is surrounding Kisawa. It leaves guests with a deep sense of inner peace amid the environment. A feeling of reconnecting, rather than disconnecting,” Kisawa’s general manager, Mathieu Hellec, says.
What’s the vibe?
Bohemian beach. The Bazaruto Archipelago—officially a national park—comprises five islands renowned for their white beaches and diverse marine life. The second-largest of them all, the Benguerra Island, has quietly emerged as a wild and stealthy getaway. Kisawa founder Nina Flohr took cues from the tropical modernist movement, as well as the work of local craftsmen, for Kisawa’s integrated ambience. “It’s a modern-day interpretation of Mozambique,” she says. Due to the size of Kisawa Sanctuary—it’s over 700 acres—each hotel guest is given their own moke (like a mini Jeep Wrangler) to traverse from their villa through the dunes. When I visited, I wore airy linens and lots of sunscreen—and basically never put on my shoes.
The history?
Flohr opened Kisawa Sanctuary on Mozambique’s Benguerra Island in 2021. Her goal was to create a five-star resort that combined service and conservation. Ninety percent of the 180-person operational team is from Africa, and the sanctuary has partnered with the nonprofit ocean conservatory Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies.
What should you try?
You may not want to feel hotter than you already do when you’re visiting Mozambique. But if you can handle the heat, enter their spaceship-like Iyashi Dome, which uses infratherapy to make you sweat out toxins and helps rejuvenate your skin. It’ll also give you the best sleep of your life.
Looking for a cooler way to distress? Go with the Himalayan singing bowls treatment. “The frequency emitted from the Himalayan singing bowl used during this treatment produces alpha waves that synchronize both left and right sides of the brain, promoting an ‘alpha state.’ This is where whole body healing occurs—promoting mental resourcefulness, aligning chakras, and enhancing overall relaxation. It is result-orientated therapy for stress, anxiety, and insomnia,” explains Hellec.
For a bespoke experience, you can’t go wrong visiting the on-site Ayurveda physician, who will give you an energy consultation and recommend specific treatments. They will also help you stock your bathroom with personalized Vanaveda products.
How environmentally friendly is it?
The environment is at the heart of Kisawa. As mentioned, they pride on their partnership with the nonprofit Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies. Meanwhile, those thatched domes were made by islander Cristiano Michael with local materials. “The reference of traditional residential architecture was intentional, honoring the craft heritage of the island while also part of our ‘conscious construction’ approach utilizing majeka, a local thatch, to avoid products like cement,” says Hellec.
What else do we need to know?
Kisawa also offers select wellness retreats: Their Gentle Island Detox program, for example, combines fitness with Himalayan singing bowl healing rituals, detox treatments, guided hikes on Benguerra Island, and freshly made fruit smoothies.
Who can go?
The Natural Wellness Center at Kisawa is open for hotel guests.
Booking details for Kisawa Sanctuary
Address: Kisawa Sanctuary Benguerra Island Inhambane, 1304, Mozambique
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
