Extending far along the coastline of southern Africa, Mozambique is a country that showcases the best of the Indian Ocean and African culture, challenging even the likes of Mauritius and the Seychelles as the go to beach destination. Like many of its neighbours, Mozambique has emerged from the dark past of its civil war and is now the ultimate destination for a luxury coastal retreat, with the likes of the Bazaruto Archipelago and Tofo offering some of the most jaw dropping diving and beaches in the world.
Keep an eye out for: Whales – these giants of the deep migrate through Mozambique’s waters between June and December every year. Look out for humpback whales and Southern Right whales breaching off the coastline.
Bazaruto Archipelago
One of the most famous spots in Mozambique, the Bazaruto Archipelago of six islands, with Bazaruto itself and Benguerra being the two largest, is the ultimate island paradise. Dotted with a small number of beautiful boutique resorts fronting out to the turquoise waters with incredible underwater life beyond.
How to get here
Bazaruto Archipelago is located just off the coast from the region’s main city, Vilanculos. You can fly to Vilanculos Airport from both Maputo and Johannesburg, with daily flights from each. If you are staying at one of the resorts on this magical group of islands, your resort will likely arrange a transfer directly either over water or, by helicopter for breathtaking views as far as the eye can see.
Where to stay
When staying in Bazaruto Archipelago, look no further than the beautiful Azura at Gabriel’s on Benguerra island. Consisting of 20 private villas dotted along the water’s edge, here you can soak up the best of the islands and the incredible underwater reefs that surround them. Whether you are chilling by your private pool, enjoying a beach picnic or diving the two-mile reef, expect the ultimate in barefoot luxury at all times.
Check out our full review of Azura Benguerra here!
What to see & do
When you’re staying on Bazaruto Archipelago, you’ll wonder why you need to do anything else but sit in awe at your incredible surroundings and get some well deserved rest and relaxation. But don’t miss out on exploring the islands, climb up the dune on Bazaruto island, test your skills fishing for tuna and swim amongst the array of reefs a stone’s throw away.
Praia do Tofo
The tiny town of Tofo, on one of the most southerly points of the country is a mecca for divers around the world, and home to one of the best beaches of Mozambique. A somewhat sleepy spot, Tofo has a vibe similar to the likes of Bali or Phuket back in the days before mass tourism hit. A place where you can truly escape and hide from reality, whether you are a diver or not, don’t miss Tofo out when exploring the length of Mozambique.
How to get here
The closest airport to Tofo is Inhambane, around a 30 minute drive away, although has infrequent connections, with only a few weekly flights to Johannesburg. Alternatively, Vilanculos is a four hour drive or Maputo is seven hours away, both with more regular flights from several destinations.
Where to stay
Without the onslaught of large resorts, Tofo and its surrounding areas are dotted with delightful boutique hotels and guesthouses, many fronting directly onto the beach. Liquid Dive Adventures have a number of beach huts with all the amenities that you may need so you can simply fall out of bed onto the beach.
What to see & do
Watersports are king in Tofo, with scuba diving, snorkelling and kite surfing to be enjoyed just off the beach. When in season, this is one of the best places in the world to snorkel or dive with whale sharks, and you might even be lucky enough to come across the majestic humpback whales, who pass through here on their migration to the cooler waters of the Antarctic.
Elsewhere in Mozambique
With a coastline extending over 2,500km, unfortunately, like us, you probably won’t be able to cover the entire country in one trip. Whilst we were lucky enough to explore two of the best areas during our time in Mozambique, there are many others we would love to go back to explore:
Quirimbas Archipelago
Up in northern Mozambique, the Quirimbas Archipelago is another set of around two dozen islands, offering an eclectic mix of glistening tropical retreats similar to Bazaruto and lush mangrove forests. Up here you can relax at Azura’s other Mozambique resort, the beautiful Quilalea Private Island.
Gorongosa National Park
Whilst the Mozambique coast is the call for many visitors, you could easily mix this in with a beach and bush adventure, either combining this with Kruger National Park in South Africa, or within Mozambique itself. Renowned as one of Africa’s leading wildlife areas in the mid 20th century, the park was sadly badly impacted by the events of the 1980s. A big conservation effort has gone a long way in rebuilding the wildlife in the area, with some good birding, plenty of elephants and even some lion to be spotted in Gorongosa National Park.
Maputo
Unless you are coming into Mozambique via South Africa, your likely first port of call will be the nation’s capital; Maputo. Here you can marvel at the architecturally impressive Praca dos Trabalhadores, the main train station, wander around the eclectic National Museum of Art or immerse yourself in the buzzing traditional markets, flowing with stalls of tropical fruit and spice.
Essential Info about Mozambique
Do I need a visa to travel to Mozambique?
Yes. If you are intending on making one trip to the country, you need to obtain a single entry Mozambique visa, which currently costs £50 for UK citizens. Whilst these can be obtained on arrival, it is easier to apply via your local embassy in advance. Be aware of the specific documents required, as some people have reported having their application rejected for small errors. It’s worth checking for up to date travel advice regarding specific visa requirements from your local government prior to travel.
When is the best time to visit Mozambique?
The weather in Mozambique is split into the dry Winter season between May and November and the the wet Summer season between December and April. To explore the beaches of Bazaruto, head out during Winter, although slightly cooler, the drier days make for perfect sunbathing weather! Avoid January and February, as this is peak monsoon season, which might put a bit of a dampener on your time by the pool.
Is Mozambique safe to visit?
Mozambique has emerged strong out of it civil war, making it a perfectly safe place to travel. Locals are exceptionally friendly and with tourism being the largest provider of employment in some areas, communities are very welcoming to tourists. However, just like anywhere in the world, the threat of carjacking or petty robbery still exists, so keep your wits about you as you would in any popular destination.
Can I combine a trip to Mozambique with a South African safari?
Absolutely – many resorts on the coast advertise Bush and Beach holidays and with flights directly from Kruger airport to Vilanculos, this can be done very easily. Azura Retreats also have a safari lodge in Tanzania, which is also very accessible from the Quirimbas Archipelago, making it the perfect combination.
