Mozambique

PureTravel Says

"Although Mozambique is often overlooked, it is one of the more versatile travel destinations in Africa. From hanging out on the beaches to the excitement of safari, the country has much to offer. Mozambique has beautiful islands dotted along its coasts that offer beautiful, secluded resorts with great watersports, including diving. The warm climate allows for lots of outdoor activities, and its parks and reserves are helping to preserve and rebuild the wildlife to match that of its neighbours."

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Mozambique Holiday Highlights

Safari - Increasingly, the wildlife of Mozambique is recovering and becoming a holiday draw. The establishment (and re establishment) of National Parks and reserves and building of some excellent lodges and camps, means you can safari in Mozambique and leave the crowds far hehind. It also has exceptional bird-life and the marine wildlife is also worth checking out. The country is full of lovely beaches where colorful coral reefs can be explored.

Water Activities - Thanks to its high concentration of lakes, lagoons and beaches, Mozambique is the perfect destination for water lovers. The country sits on the clear Indian Ocean where travelers can try out scuba diving and snorkeling. The ocean also offers the opportunity for easily swimming with dolphins and manatees, as well as witnessing the many tropical fish that live there. Fishing is another popular attraction, with many different types of fish found here that make the perfect end-of-day meal.

Hiking - Due to a number of mountainous areas and other terrains, there are plenty of hiking opportunities in Mozambique. The mixture of a balmy climate and a bountiful wildlife make hiking here comfortable and interesting. In fact, hiking is listed as one of the best ways to get to know the country at a closer level.
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When To Go

The best time to visit Mozambique is from April to September when the weather is warm and dry. These months also have the most frequent breezes from the sea, which adds an element of comfort when hiking or exploring the culture of the country. To fully enjoy all of the wonderful outdoor activities in the country, one should stick to these months, which are arguably the most comfortable. This is because other times during the year are often racked with rain and balmy heats that can be uncomfortable for travelers not used to it and make getting around more difficult.
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Top Tips

Mozambique has very rainy weather so travelers should be sure to pack plenty of rainwear for their trip.
Take extreme caution while hiking through the mountains, as there are some leftover landmines.
Photographing airports, government buildings and even bridges is considered illegal so be sure to respect those customs.

Sightseeing, Culture and History - Mozambique has had a troubled recent past. After decades of civil war the country has come into its own since a peace treaty signed in 1992. Today it is emerging as one of the most beautiful and interesting holiday destinations.

The city of Maputo is a good place to start on a sightseeing tour. There are many restaurants and museums and the city is known for having wide streets filled with relaxed, European style, street cafes. There are also markets and a city museum that are worth checking out. Perhaps the largest draw to Maputo is the Iron House, located in the Central Railway Station, both of which were designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel.

Another great place to see historical buildings is in Ilha de Moçambique. Here, buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries are showcased, along with century old mosques. In fact, many of these mosques are from the colonial Portuguese period, adding even more historical significance to the sites. Pemba is another great town, located on the bay. It has a great nightlife, with many restaurants and bars found here.

Safari and Bird-Watching - Both bird watching and safaris are becoming increasingly popular. Two places that are great for bird watching are the Gorongosa and the Marromeu National Parks. Both of these areas have many different species of colorful birds for the twitcher to enjoy.

For animal safari, there is a large selection of places and ways to choose from. In fact, twelve of the country’s national parks and reserves offer such tours.

One of the most popular national parks is the Gorongosa National Park, which is open during the months of April to October. Here there is great bird watching, in addition to glimpsing elephants, zebra, buffalo and hippos. The Marromeu National Park, right on the Zambesi River, is a good place to see buffalo and birds. Another popular park to find animals is the Maputo National Reserve, also called the Maputo Elephant Park, where one can find elephants in their natural habitat. There are also antelope, flamingoes, crocodiles, hippos and leopards here.

Most famous is the Limpopo National Park, which is in fact part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This vast area also includes the Kruger National Park in South Africa, as well as Gonarezhou National Park, Malipati Safari Area, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary in the neighbouring Zimbabwe. Its is a true wilderness, with large areas forbidden to visit to preserve them as true wilderness. The areas you can access are still wild - a 4x4 is essential because of irs rough terrain and rickety river crossings. Considering there was virtually no game here after the civil war in the '90's, it is a marvel to now watch the myriad of game before you.

Water Activities - The warm waters of Mozambique offer the perfect opportunity to participate in water activities. One can come to explore, play sports or just relax; it is all possible here. The water activities offered in Mozambique range from boating, diving and exploring marine life. Swimming is also popular thanks to the many lagoons and warm watered beaches.

A great place to start when looking for water activities is the Bazaruto Archipelago, which are five islands around the coasts of Vilanculos and Inhassoro, in Mozambique. Scuba diving and snorkeling is a great option here due to the vast amounts of coral reefs and tropical fish. There are also frequent sightings of manatee (dugong) and other marine animals.

With the continuing development of the countries infastructure, are many other great resorts in Mozambique now opening that can accommodate these activities easily. Inhaca Island is a great place that offers coral reefs and marine life. The town also boasts lighthouses and a marine biology museum. Other great sites for scuba diving are in Inhambane or the Quirimbas National Park.

For a more relaxed setting, the Quirimbas National Park is a really good option. The diving and snorkeling are a little easier, but still offers a good bit of tropical fish and marine life. In addition, the surrounding areas around the park are filled with wildlife that can add even more exploring for visitors to do.

Beach relaxing is also a great way to pass time in Mozambique. There are several clean and untouched beaches in the country to choose from. Some of the best beaches include Tofo, Chonguene, Malugane, Ouro, Xai-Xai and Vilankulo. Fishing is also popular in these beaches and some lakes where barracuda, marlin and swordfish can be found.
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Classic Itineraries

Fish for marlins and swordfish in the Bazaruto Archipelago, where these fish are found in great numbers.
Go on a safari in the Gorongosa National Park, one of the most popular destinations to do this activity.