Mozambique
Your dream island or beach holiday – Mozambique, an almost unending coastline offers you that and more. It’s the ultimate destination with its perfect stretches of silver-white beach, just for you.
It’s no surprise that Mozambique and the islands are a favourite venue for honeymooners. Laze the time away, swinging on a hammock with palm fronds swaying above you in the gentle breeze. The uncrowded beaches in both directions are lapped by warm, gentle turquoise waters. That’s the life!
Go north to the beach resorts at Vilanculos, or you might prefer the scintillating beauty of one of the islands of the Bazaruto or Quirimba archipelagos.
The eastern coastline offers nearly 2 500km of beaches, coral reefs and islands, making it a favourite beach destination. It is a place of long stretches of deserted beach, swaying coconut palms, lazy afternoon siestas and sparkling blue seas.
| Languages spoken | A number of Bantu languages are indigenous to Mozambique. Portuguese, inherited from the colonial period, is the official language. Other widely spoken languages include Swahili, Makhuwa, Sena, Ndau, and Shangaan |
|---|---|
| Currency used | The metical is the currency of Mozambique. In addition to the national currency, are also accepted, the South African Rand, the Dollar and also the Euro. |
| Places | Bazaruto Archipelago: Located about 10km off the coast near Vilanculos, lies the Bazaruto Archipelago. It is an idyllic area of azure ocean, sandy beaches with palm trees, beautiful coral reefs and an abundance of tropical marine life. The archipelago consists of four islands: Bazaruto, Benguera, Magaruque and Santa Carolina. Bazaruto Island is the largest in the archipelago. Forests of casuarinas, coconut palms and cashew nut trees grow on its shores, and large inland lakes are home to a variety of water birds. The island is famous for its unrivalled diving and fantastic fishing, as the warm, clear waters are home to a wide variety of marine life. Quirimbas Archipelago: The islands are reached by boat or light aircraft from the mainland town of Vilanculos, and their pristine beaches, tall palms and unspoilt nature have deservedly led to their being called “Crown Jewels of the Indian Ocean”. The idyllic islands that comprise the Quirimbas archipelago stretch for 250 km along the northern Mozambique coastline, from the historic part of Pemba in the south to the town of Palma in the north. With its 27 islands virtually untouched and unexplored, The Quirimbas archipelago represents one of the few tropical island destinations in the world still untainted by man’s influence. The Quirimbas National Park provides sanctuary for the remarkable flora and fauna found in this marine. Feeding and nesting grounds for sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins, shark and whales are protected here, as is a vast expanse of tropical forest. Included within the park are 11 unspoilt coral islands, which are strung along the coastline for 100 km in extent. Accessible by air from both Dar es Salaam in Tanzania; from the Mozambique capital Maputo and from Johannesburg Int’l Airport in South Africa, the islands have never been developed and remain an unexplored holiday paradise with superb snorkelling and scuba diving. Vilanculos: Kick off your shoes, get the sea sand between your toes, relax and enjoy the endless, unprecedented natural beauty. Discover the tranquillity and unspoilt paradise of the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary in Mozambique, a 35 minute boat ride across the bay from Vilanculos. This diverse eco-system of wilderness and wetland, with its powder-white beaches and crystal clear water is host to a magnificent array of beautiful creatures such as the leatherback turtle, dolphin, flamingos, pelicans and most importantly, it is one of the few sites in the world where the near-extinct Dugong is found. |
