Mozambique's Benguela Island boasts many rare gems, pristine coastlines, freshwater lakes, savannas and forests, tropical flora and fauna, and spectacular diving sites. A 300-hectare beachfront resort designed and owned by Nina Flohr of NJF Designs is located ina coastal forest on the island with 22 bungalows spread among 12 bayside and beachfront residences. The reserve, a tropical retreat for vacationers and researchers, is Africa's first permanent Marine observatory.

The magic of Kisawa Sanctuary is that the boundaries between land and life, people and place, are always moving. Nina Flohr has carefully built around the island's topography, incorporating trees, sand and ocean into the resort so that it's hard to tell exactly where the landscape ends, or if it ever will. On the surface, though, you can see that there is something deeply rooted between nature and the architectural form, a spirit of sustainable construction and indigenous craftsmanship cherished by Nina Flohr.

Kisawa reduces its impact on the environment through conscious construction methods that lightly tread the ground. For example, due to the absence of concrete foundations, the amount of cement used during construction dropped by 60 percent. Sudpave technology was used to construct the entire road system using recycled non-toxic paving materials. Ground finishes and thatched roofs, traditional hand-woven baskets are ubiquitous symbols of the area.

While the exterior of the building is reminiscent of a bonfire on a shoeless walk by the sea, it matches the interior design perfectly. Here, handmade sculptures, art, antiques and bespoke furniture are sourced from all over Africa, ensuring their preservation on the continent. Due to the different handmade styles, this also means that no two rooms are exactly alike, and each room has its own little jewel box with special colors, furniture, artwork and antiques.