A luxury new resort with a spa is to be built on Paradise Island – also known as Ilha Santa Carolina – in the Bazaruto Archipelago in southern Mozambique.

Estimated to open in 2011, the resort and are spa are being built in a joint venture between Rani Resorts and Echo Delta Holdings, the concession holders of the island.

There will be a large Sanctuary Spa-branded facility as part of the offering, which will offer indigenous treatments combining Mozambican and Indian Ocean elements, as well as a 50-bedrooms of boutique accommodation.

Other facilities will also include a boutique hotel and a dive and fishing centre while there will also be an air strip for easy access to the mainland.

Ilha Santa Carolina was an exclusive playground for the rich and famous in the 1950’s and 60’s, when Mozambique was still a province of Portugal. Bob Dylan is reputed to have composed his song, ‘Mozambique’ on the piano of the original hotel before the island was abandoned and fell into ruin during the war of independence and the ensuing civil war.

Luxury resort brand Rani Resorts is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. Rani Resorts’ portfolio currently owns seven island and safari destinations in Africa.

Rani Resorts currently has a portfolio of seven island and safari destinations, including Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa on Bazaruto Island and the Medjumbe Private Island in the Quirimbas Archipelago in north Mozambique. Details: raniresorts.com