Mozambique

Visit Mozambique

With 2,500 km worth of mesmerising coastline, powder-white sandy beaches lined with gently swaying palm trees, and some of the best up-and-coming national parks around, it’s a wonder how Mozambique remains relatively quiet and off the ‘go-to’ list for many travellers.

This sprawling goliath of a country is bordered by South Africa and Eswatini to the south, Zambia and Zimbabwe to the west, and Malwai and Tanzania in the north, with the great Mozambique Channel separating the country from Madagascar to the east.

Mozambique is often considered almost two countries, the south, well attended by holidaymakers coming up from South Africa and much more developed and the north, lacking in infrastructure but providing the kind of rough and ready experience that you really only get in a few places in the world these days.

But this is also a country with a dark history and one which it is still attempting to come to terms with. A brutal 15-year civil war ended in 1992 and twenty years later, the friendly, warm-hearted Mozambicans are still picking up the pieces. It may have taken some time, but Mozambique has finally arrived on the world stage and the country won’t remain sparsely visited for long.

If you’re looking for an under-appreciated gem of a country that still provides some of the most jaw-dropping sights on the African continent, you may have found what you’re looking for.

Mozambique Safari Highlights

Whatever you’re searching for in a holiday destination, Mozambique has an abundance of it.

Whether you’re looking to unwind on one of the many staggeringly picturesque beaches, snorkel amid the famed two-mile reef, or experience one of the most successful rehabilitated game reserves below the Zambezi, Gorongosa National Park, in Mozambique, you’re almost spoilt for choice.

Northern Mozambique

It’s not difficult to see why Mozambique’s 2,500 km of coastline provides such a draw. Many beaches dotted along the coast are quite simply picture-perfect, yet most remain peaceful and tourist-free.

The Quirimbas Archipelago in the far north is comprised of 32 separate coral islands and is an excellent place to see turtles and humpback whales among many other species. Pemba is another dazzling island that lies just offshore, with fertile vegetation inland and beaches surrounding it that will give the place more than a little Robinson Crusoe.

For something completely different, why not check out our mobile dhow safari, a seven-night trip that encompasses the very best of Northern Mozambique.   

If you’re looking for some history accompanied by breathtaking colonial architecture, then look no further than Ibo Island and Ilha de Moçambique, two tiny parcels of land just off the Mozambique coast where time appears to have come to a grinding halt.

Central Mozambique

Bazaruto Island, located just north of Vilankulos on the mainland, has built up a reputation as not only the best diving and snorkelling spot in Mozambique but perhaps even anywhere in East Africa. To the south of the island lies the famed 2-mile reef, a barrier reef that runs down to the northern point of Benguerra Island nearby.

On the mainland, just north of Vilankulos and inspired by the Greek islands, lies Santorini Mozambique, a group of 5* villas, which breathe new life into the word luxurious. A little bit Greece, a little bit Mozambique, this is quite simply a spectacular place to spend a holiday.

Further west is one of the pearls in Mozambique’s crown. The Gorongosa National Park is not only a great success story for the country but the continent as a whole. Ravaged by the civil war to the point where few believed a national park would ever emerge again, Gorongosa has finally reappeared and what a glorious sight it is.

The animal population that plummeted to tragic depths during the conflict continues to rebound with startling speed and the Gorongosa National Park is now providing a unique safari experience without the large crowds.

Southern Mozambique

Mozambique’s busy bustling port capital Maputo lies in the very south of the country, just 125 km north of the South African border and even closer to the frontier with Eswatini. The city encompasses a heady mix of fading colonial architecture, wide European-style avenues, and a thriving cultural scene. Maputo is the perfect place to either begin or end your Mozambican adventure.

100 kilometres southeast of the city the Maputo Special Reserve combines lakes, wetlands, swamp forests, grasslands, and mangrove forests with a coastline and is an excellent place to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, and recently reintroduced and not seen in the region since the 1960s, cheetahs.

Best time to visit Mozambique for a safari

Mozambique’s climate is warm and tropical in the north and subtropical in the south with average daytime coastal temperatures between 24°C and 28°C in the dry season and up to 31°C in the wet season.

The weather along the coastline is generally warm and sunny throughout the year. Diving and snorkelling are at their best from April to June and from September to November. During these months the visibility is very good as the water is clear and calm. The best time for wildlife viewing is from July to October, the bush has thinned out and animals gather around the few remaining water sources.

Wet Season (December to April)

This season is generally wet. It usually rains in brief but vigorous downpours after which the sun comes out again. Due to a lack of road infrastructure, the December through April rainy season can cause occasional flooding and temporarily unusable roads, particularly in the south of Mozambique.

Note that the period between January and February is cyclone season in southern Mozambique and we advise avoiding the Bazaruto Archipelago at this time.

Dry season (May to November)

This season is when to go to Mozambique for cooler temperatures and the least chance of rain. August and September are the best months for game viewing as the bush has thinned out and wildlife is concentrated around rivers and waterholes.

Explore Mozambique

In many ways, Mozambique is still emerging from the ruins of the civil war. A nation that tore itself apart, but is now focused on making up for the lost time. If you’re thinking about choosing Mozambique for your safari with us, then you’re in for a real treat. This is not your glamorous, finely tuned tourism, this is a country that is picking itself up and making one hell of a go of it.

No visit to Mozambique is complete without a visit to its outstanding coastline and if you have a few extra days after your excursion, you can’t go wrong spending them near some of the best beaches you are likely to see anywhere in the world.

For the divers and snorkel enthusiasts, Mozambique is an absolute Mecca, while its crumbling historic towns in the north provide a glimpse into a past that feels like it was just yesterday.

Some people might be a little wary of Mozambique because of its chequered history, but don’t let a nation’s past dictate its present. Mozambicans are wonderfully open and incredibly friendly to all forms of tourists. After the depths of despair, Mozambique is stepping back into the glorious sunshine and its people can’t wait to welcome you.