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Mozambique nestles in the south-eastern corner of Africa and boasts a gorgeous stretch of pristine coastline and the warm Indian Ocean. Dotted with white sand beaches, coral islands, and protected marine parks; Mozambique is perfect for a tropical beach vacation and is easily combined with a big five safari experience in South Africa.
Travelers can explore the bustling city of Maputo, or the palm-fringed islands of Ponta De Ouro, Bilene, Xai-Xai, Inhambane, Vilanculos, Bazaruto Island, Benguerra Island, Pemba, and the Quirimbas Archipelago. Whichever exotic destination you choose, you can look forward to a vacation full of adventure. Mozambique is the ultimate destination for snorkeling, sunset cruises, horse-riding, dolphin tours, scuba diving, and basking in the sun.
Catering to solo explorers, couples, and families; Mozambique boasts a wide selection of world-class hotels, lodges and resorts that afford gorgeous ocean views, exceptional hospitality, and sumptuous Mozambiquean cuisine.
The question of when to travel to Mozambique depends on many things including your interests, exactly where you want to visit and why you're going.
The country broadly follows South Africa’s weather pattern, with the rains falling largely between December and March.
This does vary a little between the north and south of the country, with the rains lasting a few weeks longer in the north than the south, but the pattern is the same. Humidity can be uncomfortably high during this period.
By around April or May the rains subside, the sun comes out and the humidity drops – better weather spreads gradually from the south to the north.
June to October is the dry season, with often perfect tropical weather: clear skies, plenty of sun and almost no rain. This is the best time for most people to visit Mozambique. Although still tropical, June, July and August are Mozambique's coolest months; you'll need a light duvet at night, even though the temperature reaches over 30°C by day. During September and October it remains dry as daytime temperatures climb, though it cools down a lot at night.
November is a less predictable month of transition. Sometimes the rains start, although many days remain sunny and hot. The rains generally start earlier in the north of the country.
Mozambique has become a favorite beach and island holiday destination. The warm, crystal blue water of the Indian Ocean makes it ideal for big game fishing, safaris, scuba diving and romantic getaways.
Two clusters of islands on the horizon include the Bazaruto Archipelago and the Quirimbas Archipelago – perfect for slowing down and enjoying the easy pace of island life, fresh seafood and sunset cruises aboard a traditional Dhow.
There’s more to Mozambique than laid-back island living, it also offers a plethora of big game, with the game reserves being a popular choice for safari, including the beautiful Gorongosa National Park.
Ponta do Ouro is a town in the extreme south of Mozambique, lying on the Mozambique Channel south of Maputo and just north of the border with South Africa. It is known for its beach, for its dolphins and for its offshore diving and deep-sea fishing. Must see attractions include a small shop called Ponki which sells authentic hand-woven kikois at affordable prices and the bustling downtown market. Fresh seafood is displayed in colorful cooler boxes and you can buy enormous crayfish, lobsters, prawns, and fish.
Maputo is the fascinating capital city of Mozambique. With its Portuguese colonial heritage, its vibrant residents, bustling markets and its delicious seafood cuisine, there are plenty of tourist attractions for everyone in Maputo. Must see attractions include the Natural History Museum, the Old Portuguese Fort, Inhaca and Portuguese Islands accessible by ferry, the Maputo Elephant Reserve, and the beautiful Maputo Central Railway Station which was designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Vilanculos is a small, vibrant, coastal town 700 kilometers from the Mozambique capital, Maputo. It boasts a new international airport and is the gateway to the idyllic offshore island of Bazaruto Archipelagos. Vilanculos is a piece of paradise with dazzling powder-white beaches, coconut palms, crystal blue waters, superb all-year-round temperate climate and is the perfect hideaway for a holiday that offers a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Adventure comes in so many forms – best marlin fishing in the world, snorkeling, boating, diving, kite surfing and just good old swimming. Dhow sailboat trips and motorboat trips are offered by many to fulfill your adrenaline rush or provide the amazing opportunity of swimming with dolphins or sea turtles.Vilanculos is just pure bliss!
Tofo is a coastal town in southeastern Mozambique, near the town of Inhambane. It's known for the curved Tofo Beach and nearby coral reefs which attract sea life. Sea turtles and huge manta rays circle at Manta Reef. Tofo is one of the best destinations for divers to see whale sharks and is a surfers paradise. Discover the small African street market where you can buy fresh produce and small odds and ends. If you are an angler, go fishing for King Mackerel, Dorado, Wahoo, Bonito and Yellowfin Tuna during peak season from June to August. Or hire a horse from the stables and ride along the beach in warm sea breezes. Alternatively laze on the beach all day swimming, tanning and reading long novels.
The Bazaruto Archipelago consists of six idyllic islands lying off the Mozambique coastal town of Vilankulo (Vilanculos): Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina (Paradise Island), Bangue and Pansy Shell Island. Mozambique Holidays to the Archipelago are some of the best on the African continent. Renowned as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” the Bazaruto Archipelago offers exclusive accommodation options, relaxation, and incredible sunrises and sunsets. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a protected Marine National Park with unique habitats and species; a paradise for divers who will discover groups of dolphin, humpback whales, whale sharks, sharks, manta rays and turtles.
Bazaruto Island lies in Bazaruto National Park, off the coast of southern Mozambique. Resorts dot the island’s white beaches, and it’s known for marine life like turtles and dugong. The clear waters of Two Mile Reef are filled with colorful fish, reef sharks, and moray eels, while the deeper area in Indigo Bay is home to sailfish and marlin. Traditional dhow boats run to nearby islands Santa Carolina and Benguerra. Bazaruto Island is ideal for honeymooners with only three resorts occupying the island.
Benguerra Island in Mozambique is the second largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, which broke away from the mainland thousands of years ago. Benguerra Island is approximately 55 square kilometers in extent, ensuring guests ample privacy within this idyllic paradise. The Island declared a National Park in 1971 sustains a diverse population of fauna and flora including forest, savannah and wetland ecosystems. Benguerra Island offers pristine beaches and unspoiled coral reefs teeming with marine life. Benguerra is an underwater wonderland for divers, with a rich variety of tropical fish species complemented by Africa’s only population of the rare dugong. The deep Mozambique Channel, which runs alongside the island, is renowned for its game fish and Benguerra Island offers some of the world’s best catch-and-release deep sea fishing and fly fishing opportunities.
Stretching more than 100 kilometers along the Indian Ocean, The Quirimbas Archipelago is set just off the northern coast of Mozambique. Many of its islands are part of Quirimbas National Park, which is known for coral reefs and waters inhabited by dolphins, whales and endangered dugongs (sea cows). Secluded Matemo, Medjumbe, and Vamizi islands have long beaches and phenomenal dive sites. Mangrove-covered Ibo Island features colonial-era ruins, including forts. The Quirimbas Islands offer unique, unspoiled accommodation choices for visitors all year round.
The ultimate Mozambique holiday destination, Ibo Island has a lost world appeal and a rich history - an island that was once a trading post for slaves and ivory. Meet the people of Ibo, a fascinating cultural blend of European, Indian, Arabic and Chinese. They still follow and respect old Mozambique tribal customs and tribal religions on this historical island. On Ibo Island you can experience fully guided, tailor-made, mobile island hopping dhow and kayak safaris. It is the best way to explore the exotic islands, pristine mangroves, and exquisite coral reefs. It is also an ideal location to savor the incredible experience of swimming with wild dolphins in their natural environment or indulge in a private castaway picnic in a deserted tropical paradise known as Mogundula Island.
Surrounded by white sandy beaches and the deep blue ocean, Matemo Island is located in the beautiful Quirimbas Archipelago in Mozambique. Matemo Island offers the warm Indian Ocean, spectacular sunsets, unspoiled beaches, as well as the incredible world of marine life that inhabits the Quirimbas National Park. The beautiful and protected tropical waters around Matemo Island are known as one of Mozambique's best-kept secrets. Diving is the ideal way to discover the magnificent marine ecosystem. The area is well known to offer some of the most spectacular fishing in the world. Other activities include snorkeling, sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, and kayaking.
Pemba Island, known as "The Green Island" in Arabic, is an island forming part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, lying within the Swahili Coast in the Indian Ocean. Pemba is a popular tourist destination for water sport and diving enthusiasts. Pemba Bay forms a huge harbor and stunning coral reefs lie close to shore providing wonderful diving and snorkeling adventures. The surrounding landscape of the bay is characterized by forests of Baobab trees growing down to the shoreline. Dhow safaris are also a highlight and popular way to sail around the bay and beyond.
Gorongosa National Park is a preserved area in the Great Rift Valley of central Mozambique and has been the featured park for several National Geographic documentaries. A successful conservation story - Gorongosa’s forests and savannahs are home to lions, hippos, and elephants. Lake Urema and its surrounding wetlands and rivers attract scores of water birds. The multi-tiered Murombodzi Falls spills over jagged rocks on the slopes of Mount Gorongosa. Limestone gorges and bat-filled caves define Cheringoma Plateau. Garongosa offers open vehicle game drives through a diversity of habitat, wildlife, and outstanding birdlife. You will have the opportunity to look over spectacular floodplains and explore mystical fever tree and palm forests whilst searching for the resident wildlife. A remarkable diversity of antelope, numerous primates, and great birdlife are always encountered. With a bit of luck, you could find lions, large elephant herds, buffalo, hippopotamus and some really enormous crocodiles.
