Mozambique
Mozambique is throwing off the shackles of war, natural disaster and disease. Families in search of a travel destination that is truly off-the-beaten-path may want to do the same. Rolling sand dunes and sparkling azure waters await the adventuresome. But as seasoned travelers will note, there is more to this hard to reach southeast African nation than 2500 km (1500 miles) of pristine beaches and unspoiled coral reefs. Mozambique's unique cultural heritage, architectural treasures and World Heritage Sites make it a great vacation destination for families in search of culture as well as sun.... Read More
So where to start?
Mozambique Island, Ilha de Moçambique in Portuguese, is an architectural treasure and World Heritage Site. This a fortified city in the northern Nampula province has over 800 historical buildings and it is a great place to shop for crafts made by local artisans. Maputo, in contrast, is heart and soul of modern Mozambique. It is a great place to experience the country's beat. Shop at colorful markets. Discover colonial architecture. Visit the Museu Nacional de Arte. Marvel at the murals that adorn Maputo's walls. But take care when traveling about this large urban center. Crime and petty theft are nuisances in Maputo.
Mozambique may not be a top wildlife safari destination but it is a great place for birding and whale watching. The Bazaruto Archipelago with its extensive intertidal flats is a great place to watch migratory shorebirds. Southern right whales frequent the southern Mozambique Channel from June to December. Humpback whales are spotted up and down the coast from October to December. What's more conservation initiatives underway offer great promise for the country's game viewing future. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, once complete, will link Maputo Elephant Reserve, South Africa's Kruger National Park and three conservation area's in Zimbabwe - Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area - for 35,000 square kilometers of uninterrupted savannah.
Idyllic beaches and tropical islands afford the perfect backdrop to the country's largest playground: the sea. Extensive and unspoiled coral reefs make Mozambique a top scuba diving destination. Ponta Malongane and Ponta Do Ouro may be the most popular dive sites but they aren't the only. Inhambane, Vilanculos and Pemba are excellent snorkeling and scuba diving destinations. And whether your preferred catch is marlin, sailfish or grander, Mozambique boasts some of the best game fishing in southern Africa.
So where to start?
Mozambique Island, Ilha de Moçambique in Portuguese, is an architectural treasure and World Heritage Site. This a fortified city in the northern Nampula province has over 800 historical buildings and it is a great place to shop for crafts made by local artisans. Maputo, in contrast, is heart and soul of modern Mozambique. It is a great place to experience the country's beat. Shop at colorful markets. Discover colonial architecture. Visit the Museu Nacional de Arte. Marvel at the murals that adorn Maputo's walls. But take care when traveling about this large urban center. Crime and petty theft are nuisances in Maputo.
Mozambique may not be a top wildlife safari destination but it is a great place for birding and whale watching. The Bazaruto Archipelago with its extensive intertidal flats is a great place to watch migratory shorebirds. Southern right whales frequent the southern Mozambique Channel from June to December. Humpback whales are spotted up and down the coast from October to December. What's more conservation initiatives underway offer great promise for the country's game viewing future. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, once complete, will link Maputo Elephant Reserve, South Africa's Kruger National Park and three conservation area's in Zimbabwe - Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area - for 35,000 square kilometers of uninterrupted savannah.
Idyllic beaches and tropical islands afford the perfect backdrop to the country's largest playground: the sea. Extensive and unspoiled coral reefs make Mozambique a top scuba diving destination. Ponta Malongane and Ponta Do Ouro may be the most popular dive sites but they aren't the only. Inhambane, Vilanculos and Pemba are excellent snorkeling and scuba diving destinations. And whether your preferred catch is marlin, sailfish or grander, Mozambique boasts some of the best game fishing in southern Africa.
Bazaruto Archipelago
Alfredo De Simone
Lilies
Harry van der Linde courtesy African Wildlife Foundation
Ibo Island Fort
Scuba Diving in Mozambique
Mozambique tours, guides and outfitters
Harmattan (Adventure Travel Company)
Harmattan, an Italian based outfitter, knows North Africa like no other. The experienced guides - trained archeologists, paleontologists and geologists - are first and foremost professionals in their fields. Many have lived in the region and been guiding groups in the Sahara for over 20 years. What's more, they've traveled extensively in North Africa with their own chil ... Read More
Harmattan, an Italian based outfitter, knows North Africa like no other. The experienced guides - trained archeologists, paleontologists and geologists - are first and foremost professionals in their fields. Many have lived in the region and been guiding groups in the Sahara for over 20 years. What's more, they've traveled extensively in North Africa with their own children. So why travel with them elsewhere? Harmattan applies the same vigor to all of its trips. And they know how to have fun!
Child in Sahara Desert
Carlo Natali courtesy Harmattan
Odyssea Dive (Outfitter)
Travel Reviews
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Vilanculos based Odyssea Dive offers snorkeling and scuba diving trips in the pristine waters of southern Mozambique. Most trips are open to both snorkelers and divers. Dolphins and dugong are frequently sighted. Odyssea Dive is a PADI dive center. Among the best choices for families are the day trips to Cape St. Sebastian, part of the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary, and ... Read More
Vilanculos based Odyssea Dive offers snorkeling and scuba diving trips in the pristine waters of southern Mozambique. Most trips are open to both snorkelers and divers. Dolphins and dugong are frequently sighted. Odyssea Dive is a PADI dive center. Among the best choices for families are the day trips to Cape St. Sebastian, part of the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary, and 2-mile reef in Bazaruto Archipelago. Odyssea Dive also offers island tours and scuba diving courses.
