Mozambique
Mozambique used to be Portugal's most important African colony, and this vast and often overlooked country stretches all the way along the Indian Ocean coast from Tanzania down to South Africa.
The infrastructure has suffered from years of civil war, overland travel is not easy and most of the wildlife has been eaten. But in recent years three national parks have been established, and with fences being removed, animal numbers are starting to increase.
Visitors to Mozambique will find this an excellent place to experience the faded colonial glamour of past times. The city of Maputo is fascinating, having some of Africa's finest seafood, and the two ports of Ilha de Moçambique and Beira are rich with colonial architecture. Most visitors come to Mozambique for a beach vacation to the small, exclusive Indian Ocean hideaways situated on two offshore archipelagos, Bazaruto and Quirimbas. A handful of tiny resorts are nestled on small and unspoiled islands which are ringed by beautiful white sand beaches. The surrounding waters host some of Africa's finest coral reefs that can be easily explored with a snorkel and mask or by scuba diving. These tiny oases of luxury have an atmosphere akin to being on the very edge of the known world, a perfect place for a beach break, family vacation or honeymoon.
Mozambique Travel Tips
- Mozambique's tropical beach hideaways are now easy to reach from either Dar es Salaam or Johannesburg via several new air routes.
- Mozambique is an excellent all year round destination.
- Combining a beach break in the Bazaruto Archipelago in Southern Mozambique with a safari in Southern Africa is possible.
- The beach properties in the Quirimbas Archipelago in Northern Mozambique combine well with Kenyan and Tanzanian safaris.
Mozambique vacations - A Personal View
 On my first visit eleven years ago, Mozambique was just beginning to gain a reputation as a great vacation destination. I remember endless white beaches, snorkelling in crystal clear waters – seeing whale shark above and manta ray below - and ever since, it’s been one of my favorite beach locations.
I spent my honeymoon in northern Mozambique, where several islands have been developed in the last few years to offer unthinkable comfort and luxury in truly glorious settings.
On returning to the south of the country recently I was treated to stunning accommodations, superb diving, and wonderful deserted beaches. I was delighted to find my earlier memories of an unspoiled paradise still rang true - nothing had been ruined, only improved by better infrastructure in a country whose people delight in showing visitors its treasures.
Alice Gully - One of Aardvark Safaris' Mozambique specialists
Mozambique vacations - Ideas You Might Not Have Thought About
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Fantastic Fishing from Benguerra
Mozambique boasts some of the finest saltwater fly fishing on the continent. Benguerra Lodge lies within the famed Bazaruto Archipelago the experienced, professional fishing guides there have exceptional knowledge of the archipelago’s waters. Fly fishermen can enjoy the luxury of having specialist boats and can throw a line for an absolute wealth of species. Commonly encountered are kingfish, king and queen mackerel, kawakawa and springer; even the much sought-after bonefish is found around the island and is occasionally caught fishing deep.
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Ibo Island
Ibo Island is regarded as one of Africa's best-kept secrets. One of the 32 beautiful tropical islands that make up the Quirimbas Archipelago, Ibo Island is one of the most ancient settlements in Mozambique. A stay at the Ibo Island Lodge, comprising three magnificent mansions (each over one hundred years old), will give a flavor of the island's haunting history which can be dated back to at least the 16th Century. Located on the waterfront with stunning views over the island, this romantic hideaway has a glorious beach. Choose from fishing, kayaking, dhow sailing trips or scuba diving. Perhaps an island tour will introduce you to the wonderfully hospitable islanders and their unchanged, ancient culture that makes Ibo Island magical and unlike anywhere else.
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Whale Watching Paradise
Bazaruto Archipelago and surrounding reefs are home to over 80% of all marine fish families of the Indo-Pacific. Experience the excitement and anticipation of seeing the endangered dugong, or the emotional experience of swimming with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean. The resident minke and southern right whales that ply surrounding seas alongside common, spinner and bottlenose dolphins make this destination a whale watcher’s paradise.
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Private House on the Beach
Pambele is an exquisite private house on the white sand shores of southern Mozambique. Pambele provides exclusive accommodations in four separate villas for ten adults and five children, ideal for a family group or friends. Indoor and outdoor living areas stretch out along the beach with uninterrupted views from wooden decks; the infinity pool merges seamlessly with the sparkling Indian Ocean dotted with dhows. Unobtrusive house staff take care of your every need, while drivers with vehicles and boats are available for diving, snorkelling, whale watching, sailing and kayaking trips.
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Nesting Turtles on Vamizi Island
Vamizi Island is the nesting place of two species of threatened turtle; the hawksbill and green turtle. A community based conservation program, run jointly with the London Zoological Society, is monitoring and tagging the nesting turtles to understand how they use the western Indian Ocean, and guests staying on the island can participate in this conservation work. Accommodations at Vamizi comprise ten luxurious beach houses spread across a long white sandy beach, and other activities on the island include fishing, snorkelling, and world class diving.
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