Holidays in Mozambique

Like a handful of emerald and white marbles tossed onto a watery playground, the Bazaruto Archipelago is a dreamy collection of islands ideal for an Indian Ocean getaway. Made up of five islands (Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangué), the archipelago has been a national park since 1971. Thanks to its protection, snorkelling offers an abundance of tropical fish glide through its reefs, along with dolphins and loggerhead, leatherback and green turtles. However, over 100 elusive dugongs are possibly the highlight here. More wildlife lurks above the waves, with fish eagles soaring overhead, while bushbucks, red forest duikers, flamingos and Nile crocodiles patrol the ground.

If remoteness is what you’re after, then you can’t get much more secluded than the Quirimbas Archipelago. A largely uncharted chain of 32 islands, the beaches here are footprint-free and its thriving coral reefs teem with marine life thanks to the lack of visitors and the southern isles protected by national park status. Barefoot luxury lodges open up the possibility to go island hopping, from the curious baobab trees of Quilaluia to the excellent diving and snorkelling on both Medjumbe and Matemo.

Ibo Island is part of the Quirimbas Archipelago but worthy of being singled out as a holiday destination in itself. Dripping with rustic charm, the island’s wide lanes of moss-covered buildings and crumbling villas embody a place frozen in time. Whispers of its past as an important trading hub for Swahilis, Arabs and the Portuguese filter throughout its ancient streets so strongly you can almost hear the echoes of busy merchants advertising their wares. Today, you can visit silversmiths in their shops selling everything from jewellery to old coins.

Often dismissed as a gateway to the Bazaruto islands, Vilankulo has more merit than just for the ‘travelling-through’ visitor. Bustling cafés, markets and restaurants contribute to a charming atmosphere in a town famed for its prawns and beer. While you can hop on a dhow cruise around the islands, Vilankulo’s own excellent beaches are perfect for saddling up on a horse and trotting on the sands. Further out, venture inland to the wild miombo woodlands and bushlands of Zinave National Park, where you can glimpse lions, leopards, cheetahs and more.

While grandiose architecture and jacaranda-flecked avenues make Maputo arguably one of Africa’s finest-looking capitals, the beaches further along the south coast look too good not to spend a day on. Twin your relaxation with a visit to Maputo Special Reserve, home to over 400 elephants, more than 200 species of bird and its fringes are a key nesting site for turtles.

Please seek advice from your doctor regarding medical precautions against Malaria. Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccinations are currently recommended. If entering Mozambique from a yellow fever zone, you must be in possession of a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate. Please consult your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel for current advice.

The time difference is GMT +2 hours.

The flight time from London to Maputo is from 15 hours, including a stopover.

The currency is the Mozambican metical.

British passport holders need a visa to enter Mozambique. The visa application can be completed online prior to your trip on the Mozambique High Commission website and sent via post, with a tourist visa costing £50.