Ibo Island, Mozambique
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Ibo Island Fort

 

Photo by Ibo Island Lodge

A family vacation on the island of Ibo, Ilha do Ibo in Portuguese, is as much about the history of ivory and slave trade as it is about coral reefs and the rare dugong. Once the second most important town and northern most trading post in Portuguese Mozambique, this small, forested island has been all but forgotten by time. Take a stroll down the island's colonial streets. Tour a 16th century pentagonal fort and intriguing colonial graveyard. Observe craftsman shape filigree bracelets and pendants using age-old Arab techniques. And in contrast to Mozambique Island, here, one can also access the sea. Partake in a snorkeling or scuba diving trip and watch turtles as well as a myriad of colorful fish. Take a whale watching tour and spot dolphin, whale and, if you are lucky, even the rare dugong. And at high tide, watch the harbor as it comes alive with fisherman preparing to set sail.
History & Culture
 
Family travel to Ibo Island provides an opportunity to introduce the kids to this northern island in Mozambique. Learn more about the history of Ibo Island as well as the importance of the dhow, the traditional Arab sailing vessel that for centuries served as the primary means of transportation along Mozambique's coast for hundreds of years.
Maps
 
Online maps are a great travel planning resource and a great way to get the kids involved in a family vacation. Use online maps to pinpoint your family travel destination and plan your itinerary. Map Mozambique and identify points of interest in Quirimbas Archipelago. Use political and historical maps to enhance a tween or teen's knowledge of the country and turn your adventure into an educational journey. Purchase a map of Mozambique before you depart and mark your path as you travel.
Books
 
Books are a great way to introduce younger children to a new adventure and get teens and tweens ready for a family trip. Learn more about Mozambique through guidebooks, novels and historical fiction and embark on a different kind of family journey. Discover age-appropriate children's literature. Get a complete list of Mozambican authors. Find recommended reading lists for adults and kids. Read book reviews from sources other than Amazon and get an 'African' view on Mozambican literature.
Music & Sound
 
Marrabenta, with its distinctive Afro-Latin beat, is the most popular style of modern dance music in Mozambique. But it isn't the only. Discover the wild rhythms of Timbila, wooden xylophones played by the Chopi people of southern Mozambique. Learn about traditional Tofu songs sung by the women of Ilha de Moçambique. Find out about the panpipe music played in the country's far north. And, of course, listen to Mozambique music online.
News
 
Read Mozambique newspapers online and brush up on Mozambican current events from politics to economics and sports to entertainment. Get Mozambique news and discover what Mozambicans are reading and gain an understanding of the country and the people.
Kids' Stuff
 
Online resources make learning about Mozambique Island lots of fun. Did you know that Vasco da Gama was the first European explorer to discover an ocean route from Europe to Indian? Or that many of the slaves traded on Mozambique Island were sent to Brazil? Read up on Vasco da Gama and the Portuguese influence on Mozambique before you depart on a family vacation and teach mom and dad a few things on the trip.
Organizations
 
Associations and non-profit organizations can be a valuable resource as well as a means to get involved. Learn more about a few of the organizations working the conserve the marine environment in Mozambique.
Recommended Reads for Family Travel to Mozambique
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Travel Trivia
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