Tailor Made Holidays in Mozambique: Highlights

Discover the Bazaruto and Quirimba archipelagos

Situated in marine reserves, the Bazaruto and Quirimba archipelagos are one of the main reasons to take a trip to Mozambique. The Bazarutos are found towards the south of the country and the Quirimbas are found to the north, not too far from the Tanzanian border. These volcanic islands stretch for miles, some being rocky whilst others have a more sandy terrain. There are many top class lodges and idyllic getaways to choose from, some on their own tropical island with no intrusion for miles around. The lodges are ideal destinations in which to relax and enjoy the warm seas of the Indian Ocean, but many also offer other activities when not basking in the sun.

Read more about: Bazaruto Archipelago
 
Dive and snorkel in Mozambique's warm waters

Mozambique has some of the best diving and snorkelling sites in Africa, and many have only recently been found. The Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, as well as other areas off Mozambique, have numerous dive sites off their islands including shallow ten-metre sandy sites with soft corals and a multitude of tropical fish species. For the more advanced, it is well worth diving off the wall from Medjumbe to depths of over forty metres. In the clear waters there are colourful parrotfish biting at the coral, moray eels skulking in the shadows, lion fish hovering and blue-spotted sting rays scuttling off into the blue.

Read more about: Bazaruto Archipelago
 
Explore the Niassa Game Reserve

The vast Niassa Game Reserve Wilderness has opened up some marvellous areas over the last couple of years, and a trip to Lugenda Lodge is worth fitting into your agenda. A very relaxed destination set in a bush veld landscape interspersed with large rock kopjies, there is no rush to see game but occasionally there is the chance to see elephants walking by the lodge and along the banks of the Rovuma River. Buffalo, lion and leopard can also be seen, though in smaller numbers.

Read more about: The Niassa Reserve
 
Find your favourite Mozambique beach

Mozambique's shores are scattered with beautiful beaches, some just small coves that are uncovered with the tides, others endless and deserted stretches of soft pearly sands, speckled with shells. Enjoy walking around islands fringed with brilliant white sands or relax on a beach with a champagne picnic under the shade of an umbrella during the heat of the African midday sun.

 
Go horse riding on Bazaruto Island

Get the wind rushing through your hair and exercise your lungs by taking a horse out for an exhilarating ride. Riding on Bazaruto Island is an incredible adventure, from the lengthy climb up the enormous dunes to the thrill of sliding down an almost vertical drop to the beach below, still clinging on to the saddle. Gallop along an endless beach with the horse kicking up the surf, whilst the sea and wet sand splatter up your legs. Indigo Bay has some superb horses that are well looked after and will take you on some unexpected turns across the island to see the lovely beaches, and the flamingos and crocodiles on the inland lakes.

Read more about: Bazaruto Archipelago
 
Go sailing in a dhow

Sailing in a dhow is a wonderful experience. Dhows can be seen daily all around the Mozambique coasts as the locals go about catching fish for a living, and you can hire a local fisherman to take you around the islands in his old boat, the faded patchwork colours of the sails billowing when the wind picks up. Do not expect a pristine clean vessel as these are working boats and when the wind picks up, be ready to hold on to your beverages as the boat sways on the waves. As the sun starts to slip below the horizon, you will be returned to shore to replenish your beer.

 
Visit Mozambique's marine conservation projects

Mozambique has reserves that stretch from the interiors to the coastline and into marine sanctuaries. There are several marine conservation projects researching a variety of habitats as well as rare and endangered species, and certain lodges offer the opportunity to head out with the conservationists and researchers to help with their projects. For example, you can help monitor the green turtles that nest on Vamizi Island and (from July to December) lay numerous eggs before returning to the ocean. Whilst staying at Guludo Lodge, you can accompany the resident researchers on an amazing day on the ocean and assist their project to genetically map the humpback whales when they pass through the waters between June and October.

Read more about: Mozambique's Marine Life
 
Revel in Mozambique's tropical waters

Nothing beats the first glimpse of the Mozambique archipelagos. Whether a glance out of the tiny window of a roaring propeller plane that finally breaks through the clouds as it descends to the coast, or the thrilling ride in a helicopter, it is breathtaking to see the swirling turquoise hues of the crystal blue waters below. On arrival at the final destination, head directly for the warm Indian Ocean to revive an aching body after a series of long haul flights.

Read more about: Bazaruto Archipelago
 
Try your hand at deep sea game fishing

Deep sea game fishing for marlin and other species is not seen as a sport for all, but there are catch and release programmes to ensure the survival of the species. Heading out on the ocean is also a great opportunity to view whales and other pelagics such as dolphins (subject to season - ask your Travel Specialist for more details).

 
Visit Ibo Island

Ibo Island is just one of the thirty coral islands in the Quirimbas and is steeped with history that can be investigated on a day trip or spread over a stay at the newly renovated Ibo Island Lodge. It is an intriguing place where once impressive mansions, villas and town buildings are now roofless and a mass of ruins. The decaying and deserted town is slowly being rebuilt and it is fascinating to be taught the broad and colourful history of the early settlers, Arab slave traders and Portuguese explorers where stories bring the place to life. The island has a thriving population but live in little villages away from the ruins. The old fort of Sao Joao Baptista, built in 1771 for the island's defence with large cannons, now echoes with the sound of the occasional tourist buying beautiful trinkets from one of the island's silver jewellers.

Read more about: Quirimba Archipelago
 
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