Mozambique

Beckons with its endless coastline and swaying palms…

Ever wanted to find yourself alone on a deserted tropical beach? Then Mozambique beckons… experience the ultimate Indian Ocean getaway for romantic escapes or family retreats, with its unspoilt beaches and world-class diving and fishing.

With over 2 500 km of coastline fringed by extensive, pristine coral reefs, this hidden gem offers natural splendour and an underwater spectacle that is hard to match. Exquisite, secluded beaches will have you feeling as if you’re on your own private island.

Take to the clear blue seas and experience some of the world’s most pristine and best-preserved coral reefs. Snorkel and dive trips provide you with a front row seat to experience whale sharks, dolphins, turtles and the rare dugong in the warm Indian Ocean water. Big game fishing for Marlin and Sailfish is world class here thanks to large marine life populations and under-fishing.

Located on the south-eastern coast of Africa, in the south of Mozambique one can find the bustling city of Maputo with several islands that are a boat ride away. To the north of Maputo lies the Quirimba Archipelago, which boasts a total of 34 barely-discovered, pristine islands with white sandy beaches and crystal clear warm waters.

Forty kilometers offshore from Vilankulo in the south, lies the Bazaruto Archipelago – a group of six idyllic islands offering exclusive, private and tranquil resorts. The archipelago became a National Park in 1971, which has helped to preserve the natural beauty and abundance of sea life and is one of the largest marine parks in the Indian Ocean.

Mozambique has a long and fascinating history with Bantu, Swahili and Portuguese influences, and is known for some of the best preserved colonial architecture on the continent. However, there is also a rich African cultural heritage mixed in with it’s colonial past, which makes their art, food and music truly unique.

The country was involved in two intense civil wars at the end of the last century, which left the country unspoiled from tourism or development. A Portuguese colony until 1975, Mozambique is made up of mostly Bantu people with the official language of Portuguese spoken mostly as a second language (English is also spoken in tourist areas). The locals largely follow Christianity and, like most of Africa, are warm and friendly and will greet you with a smile.

With its secluded beaches and exclusive resorts, Mozambique is the perfect destination to get away from it all and lose yourself in a tropical paradise.

Fast Facts

Highlights

Turquoise waters, swaying palms, diverse culture.

The Island

Mozambique has two idyllic archipelagos: the Quirimba Archipelago to the north and the Bazaruto Archipelago to the south – both with idyllic islands offering exclusive, secluded resorts.

Geographical Location

Located on the South-Eastern coast of Africa, in the South one can find the bustling city of Maputo with several islands that are a boat ride away. In the North is the Quirimba Archipelago close to Pemba which boasts a total of 34 islands. The tropical current runs from North to South along the 2000km coastline.

Population

The population of Mozambique is approximately 23.4 million. The population is made up of many diverse ethnic groups who have different language, dialects and cultures.

Language

Portuguese is Mozambique’s official language. Many residents also speak English.

Time

There is no time difference between Mozambique and South Africa. UTC +02:00

Climate

Temperature ranges from 18 to 24 degrees Celsius in the dry season – April to September – and 22 to 32 in the wet season – October to March. Mozambique lies in the rainshadow of Madagascar and therefore experiences relatively low rainfall.

Currency

The currency of Mozambique is the Metical. South African Rands and US Dollars are also widely accepted.

Health Requirements

None

Trading Hours

Most common trading hours are 7h00 to 19h00 with some shops staying open later in the tourist areas.
Banks are open from 8h00 to 15h30 from Monday to Friday

Activities

Don’t be fooled by Mozambique’s rustic and under-developed nature. There’s plenty to do here…

Getting Around

Road – The EN1 runs the length of the country generally staying close to the coast from Maputo up. Roads throughout the country are generally in poor condition, especially when compared to South Africa

Taxis – can now be found in many cities throughout the country. They never have meters so you must negotiate regarding cost before your journey.

Air – Domestic flights are the fastest and most sane way to get around the country, with routes between the major cities available.

To See

Pemba – Pemba is a popular tourist destination. It is a port city founded in 1904. Nestled in the heart of Pemba is a local market where you can buy handmade crafts and souvenirs. There is also colorful art sold at this market. Pemba is a good site for water sports and the nearby coral reef means that it is a good diving spot.

Archipelago das Quirimbas These 32 islands off the town of Pemba, which can be reached by motorboat, offer white-sand beaches, snorkeling among coral reefs, and sightings of humpback whales.

Archipelago das Bazaruto – a group of six idyllic islands offering exclusive, private and tranquil resorts. The archipelago became a National Park in 1971, which has helped to preserve the natural beauty and abundance of sea life and is one of the largest marine parks in the Indian Ocean.

Watersports

Mozambique is a southern African nation whose long Indian Ocean coastline is dotted with popular beaches like Tofo, as well as offshore marine parks. In the Quirimbas Archipelago, a 250km stretch of coral islands, mangrove-covered Ibo Island has colonial-era ruins surviving from a period of Portuguese rule. The Bazaruto Archipelago farther south has reefs which protect rare marine life including dugongs.