128 From the relatively undeveloped north to the pristine resorts and islands in the south, there is an array of stunning options in Mozambique. Kevin Record, Ibo Island Lodge Between the continent of Africa and the island of Madagascar, lie a string of spectacular subtropical islands that rank alongside Australia s Great Barrier Reef as one of the earth s superb underwater wildernesses, the Bazaruto Archipelago. One of the most beautiful places in Africa and famous for its pristine beaches, the world is starting to discover what those in Africa have known for a while, that these islands offer world-class diving. The waters around the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park are an ecological paradise. At 1,400 square kilometres, it is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the Indian Ocean. Then there are the 27 islands making up the Quirimbas Archipelago that are among some of the most undiscovered and untouched in existence. Here you can discover some of the most exciting and least explored dive sites on the planet, catch site of turtle, dolphin, whale and amazing species of fish, visit islands and beaches with pristine turquoise waters and swim in water averaging 28 Celsius all year round. With an amazing variety of birdlife, the archipelago is also an ornithological paradise and poling through the mangrove canals, where local fishermen catch prawns and giant crab and where stork, egret and heron roost in the mangrove branches, is something really special. Ibo Island is steeped in history, rich in culture and has been submitted as a potential World Heritage Site. The island is one of the ancient settlements of the country, with boundless secrets, history that goes back to the 11th century and a place where ancient and modern cultures meet and mingle with a vibrant mix of Arab, Indian, Chinese and Portuguese and of course, the local Makua people. Forgotten to the outside world for almost a century, today one can wander around the mysterious town among crumbling forts and ancient buildings with many fascinating stories just waiting to be told. Become immersed in the unchanged, ancient culture of Ibo and the rare chance to interact with wonderfully hospitable islanders. Or simply relax, refresh the senses and soak up the romantic atmosphere.
129 TANZANIA ZAMBIA Manda Wilderness Lake Malawi Niassa Game Reserve Mocimboa da Praia Quirimbas Archipelago Ibo Island Pemba MALAWI Lurio Lago de Cahora Bassa Monte Namuli ZIMBABWE Gorongosa Monte Binga Zinawe National Park Vilanculos Gorongosa National Park Save Zambezi Beira Bazaruto Archipelago Benguérra Island M o z a m b i q u e C h a n n e l Flight time: 13 hours from London Time difference: GMT +2 hours Currency: Metical Visa Required: Yes Possible Airlines: British Airways, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Virgin Atlantic Months J F M A M J J A S O N D Temp ºC 26 25 25 24 22 20 19 20 26 26 28 29 Rain mm 152 135 99 51 28 18 15 13 30 51 79 94 Seasons GREEN DRY GREEN Limpopo Banhine National Park REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Xai-Xai MAPUTO SWAZILAND Ponta do Ouro Kosi Bay Nature Reserve 0 120 miles 0 200 kilometres Every safari can be tailor-made for you, so please call us on +44 (0) 1488 689 700 to discuss your individual itinerary and for a full quotation
130 Quirimbas Archipelago The archipelago consists of islands, including Ibo, Matemo, Medjumbe, Quirimba, Ouisiva and Rolas Island. The Quirimbas National Park includes the 11 most southerly islands, which are partly surrounded by mangroves. The Quirimbas Archipelago lies in the Indian Ocean off northeastern Mozambique, close to Pemba the capital of the province of Cabo Delgado. Originally home to fishing settlements, the islands' population grew around Arab trading posts and thrived under the Portuguese trading routes when it was known as the Ilhas de Sao Lazaro (Islands of St Lazarus). Today, many of the islands are uninhabited. They are known for their high quality dive sites, including phenomenal drop-offs, some up to 400 metres. The Quirimbas National Park is a protected area encompassing the southern part of the Quirimbas Islands. The park protects 750,639 hectares of coastal forest, mangroves, coral reefs and numerous white sand beaches littered with shells. The region was isolated for decades during the Mozambique civil war and the park was only established in 2002. It now contains a rich variety of marine life including sea turtle, dugong and up to 375 species of fish, including threatened pipefish and seahorse. OUR TIPS FOR QUIRIMBAS ARCHIPELAGO Go back in time while taking in the rich history and culture of Ibo Island. Spend some time with an ecologist and turtle researcher in the Quirimbas Archipelago. Take a boat deep-sea fishing in the Pemba Channel. VAMIZI ISLAND Set in Maluane, one of the last untouched wildernesses in the Indian Ocean coast, Vamizi is part of the largest ecotourism project in northern Mozambique. Just 12 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide, Vamizi Island boasts some of Africa s finest coastline and beaches. Here guests can enjoy miles of unpadded white sand and spectacular azure oceans, safe in the knowledge that their holiday is not only empowering local people but helping to protect endangered wildlife and habitats. Built on the northern side of the island, by a long white beach and sheltered by forest, the lodge comprises 13 villas, traditionally designed to make as little impact on the local environment as possible. Each house has its own large living room, king-size four-poster bed, spectacular bathroom and veranda, with views of the ocean and the neighbouring island of Rogui. Vamizi also offers two exclusive private villas, both sleeping up to 12 people, which integrate with the existing landscape. Both villas are set in 2 hectares of secluded grounds with an extensive private beachfront as well as a private salt water plunge pool. Guests can also watch the Samango monkeys hunting the land crabs or playing in the trees. There is plenty to do on land: birdwatching, walking trails and beach picnics while marine activities include first class fishing and Hobie cat sailing, as well as scuba-diving and snorkelling in some of the most pristine coral reefs of the Indian Ocean.
131 IBO ISLAND LODGE & DHOW SAFARIS Based in the northern Quirimbas Archipelago, Ibo Island Lodge has been built not only to provide a critical source of income for the local community and sustain the traditional silversmithing that Ibo is famous for, but also to protect and fund the conservation of rare bird and turtle species found here. Apart from visiting Ibo's Portuguese forts and numerous other landmark buildings, one can also take trips to the mangrove forests of the 7,400 square kilometre Quirimbas National Park to gain an understanding of the bird and marine life they support. Alternatively, admire the wildlife while sea kayaking, diving or snorkelling, take a boat to the island's private and pristine beach or indulge in a spot of fishing. The waterfront lodge which has been forged out of three 19th century mansions, offers 12 large, air conditioned, en suite rooms with magnificent colonial-style wooden doors and shutters. Each is furnished with antiques and handcrafted furniture. Romantic dinners prepared with locally grown organic vegetables and fresh seafood and crabs are served on the wide, quiet verandas or in the roof terrace restaurant both of which offer magnificent views over the ocean. Ibo Island also offer a 5 day fully guided dhow safari, a unique island hopping adventure through the Quirimbas, giving guests the opportunity to see so much more of the archipelago; camp overnight on some of the most stunning islands and explore by day the beaches, estuaries, mangroves and villages of the archipelago. AZURA AT QUILALEA The magic of Quilalea starts before guests even set foot on the island, with transfers by helicopter, private plane, boat or yacht to this exquisite and virtually untouched paradise. Uninhabited bar the lodge, the tiny island lies in the Quirimbas Archipelago Marine Reserve, where nesting turtles and Humpback Whale sheltering their young make their home before heading south. Unpretentious luxury with a generous helping of Mozambican flair characterises nine spacious villas set just back from the perfect beach. Makuti thatch roofs, coral rock walls and air conditioning keep temperatures cool, while showers opening to the ocean nurture a feeling of abandonment. Cuisine at Quilalea is focused around the natural produce available locally, in line with the island s Eco Ethos. Lots of fresh fish and seafood dominate the menu, with dining a relaxed and laid-back affair. Guests receive Azura s trademark butler and host service, where they try to make the dining experiences different through a range of unique and special venues and set-ups. For the wine connoisseur, there is a cellar stocked with fine wines from the owner s five estates, as well as those from Azura s own chateau in the Loire Valley. The wine cellar makes an excellent venue for a more formal private dining experience. Diving and snorkelling in this unspoilt marine eco-sanctuary is fantastic and is possible off the beach, while game fishing, yachting, kayaking and dhow cruises are also available. The best massage bed in the world awaits above the beach for luscious spa treatments, while bird and seasonal whale watching are unmissable treats for naturalists.
132 Bazaruto Archipelago Comprising the six islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island) and Shell, the group belongs to Vilankulo District of Inhambane Province. The Bazaruto islands were formed hundreds of thousands of years ago from mass sand deposits brought by the Limpopo River, which has since shifted its course and left behind some of the most idyllic tropical islands imaginable. The islands are covered with large sand dunes and fresh water lakes, where stunning black-winged flamingo nest, forming a national park that was established to safeguard its exceptional wild bird and marine life. Coral gardens of infinite beauty and colour support over 2,000 tropical fish species as well as dolphin, lobster and turtle, while there are nearly 200 species of bird, myriad butterflies and freshwater crocodile. With perfect beaches and warm waters, the Bazaruto Archipelago is a well balanced combination of relaxation and adventure. OUR TIPS FOR BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO There are direct flights between Kruger Mpumalanga and Vilanculos making it a perfect ending to a safari. The area surrounding is ranked as the best black marlin destination in the eastern Indian Ocean. The season runs from early October through to end of January. Stargaze and count shooting stars on the beach on Benguerra Island. AZURA AT BENGUERRA Set on Benguerra Island, Azura is at the forefront of ecotourism and one of the country's few resorts in which the local community is a major contributor and shareholder. Although surrounded by miles of sandy beach and turquoise waters criss-crossed by traditional dhows, Azura offers far more than just a beach holiday. The island is home to towering sand dunes that fade into the bush, birdlife is prolific, whale, dolphin and the elusive dugong are to be found offshore seasonally, while magnificent reefs, nesting turtle and above all the culture and warmth of the Mozambican people make for a winning combination. Spacious and secluded air conditioned villas have their own beach frontage and private pools as well as butler service. The two private beach villas, the three bedroom Presidential Villa and the two bedroom Villa Amizade provide a level of seclusion and luxury that defies belief. Dine on sushi, enjoy beach barbeques and a fantastic range of wines including those flown in from the Bettany's Loire valley chateau. There is also a spa which uses local ingredients and unique treatments, while less soporific activities include world-class diving and snorkelling, deep-sea and fly-fishing, sailing Azura's 40 foot dhow, swimming with dolphin and a host of land based expeditions to explore this beautiful and fascinating island.
133 BENGUERRA LODGE Set in milkwood forest and encircled by beautiful silver beaches and pristine coral reefs on the protected northwest side of Benguerra Island. Just 24 guests stay in secluded double room cabanas and casitas, each with a plunge pool and private deck for enjoying magnificent sunsets and abundant birdlife. There is also an exclusive, private two bedroom villa for families or honeymooners. The forest and wetland eco-systems sustain a diverse population of fauna and flora which can be explored from the lodge s 4x4. There is also fishing for fighting marlin and other game fish in the Mozambique Channel and the lodge has a fully equipped professional team to go into the deep, even if one has never fished before. Saltwater fly-fishing is also available from the lodge's customised boats. In addition, there is a fully equipped dive centre to take one to breathtakingly unspoilt reefs, not to mention a stunning swimming pool for the less adventurous. The excellent dining is dominated by fresh fish, crab and calamari with a Portuguese twist to enjoy in the excellent, relaxed restaurant. Picnics are also a specialty. INDIGO BAY Situated at the gateway of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Indigo Bay provides the perfect base for sport fishing and scuba-diving or a more traditional relaxing beach holiday. With its pristine white sand and protected coral reefs, it has more of a resort feel to it than other Mozambique lodges and is perfect for families, couples and sailing fans. All of the 30 beach chalets, 12 luxury bay view suites and the main living areas, including the restaurant and bar, are made of natural materials to blend in with the surroundings. The air conditioned rooms are luxuriously furnished and each has a lounge area, satellite TV and a private balcony. There is a salt water swimming pool at the hotel, while divers and snorkellers can enjoy the amazing number of perfect dive locations. Keen sport fishers will not be disappointed either, with abundant numbers of giant black marlin, sailfish and other game fish to be caught. For those who prefer land based activities, Indigo Bay boasts a sanctuary spa, two floodlit tennis courts and a 9 hole floodlit golf course. Horse riding and birdwatching are also on offer. MARLIN LODGE Marlin Lodge lies on the picturesque pure white beach of Flamingo Bay on Benguerra Island. The 19 wood and thatch chalets epitomise luxurious island chic, with creamy furnishings, elegant dark wood furniture and polished floors. These romantic luxury chalets, as well as the two family chalets, all have direct access to individual private areas on the beach. Dining at Marlin is a delight, ranging from sumptuous and romantic candlelit dinners on the beach to the semi-formality of the dining room; menus rely heavily on delicious local seafood enhanced by delicate island spices. The lodge has a pretty pool surrounded by palms backing onto an immaculate beach from which a wide range of water sports are available, including diving and snorkelling, angling, ocean kayaking, Hobie cat sailing and windsurfing. The more romantic at heart can enjoy island tours, the wellness spa, picnics and even horse riding along the pristine beaches.
134 Southeast Coast With its warm, clear waters and pristine beaches, this untouched and undeveloped coast is a true naturalist s paradise. This great stretch of coast reaches down from Maputo and the Maputo Elephant Game Reserve in the north, past the quaint resorts of Ponta Mamoli and Ponta do Ouro in the south, to the border with South Africa at the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. The coastline is characterised by the seemingly never ending expanse of rugged white beaches and rocky coves, backed by great dunes protecting endemic rich woody grasslands, dry savannahs, swamp forests, fresh water coastal lakes and floodplains hording expanses of reed beds, bulrushes and papyrus. The warm clear waters of the Indian Ocean also host a wealth of intriguing marine life including Bottlenose Dolphin as well as Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtle, who lay their eggs on this stretch of beach between November and February. There is also a multitude of healthy accessible reefs hosting an array of colourful fish, while further offshore lurk the larger sailfish, kingfish and tuna and of course their predators. OUR TIPS FOR THE SOUTHEAST COAST A great way to explore the coastline is either from the ocean on a sea kayak or from the shore by horse. Interaction with the Bottlenose Dolphin is strictly monitored and controlled in line with conservation guidelines, however, it is possible to take a licenced excursion to swim with them. The coast can easily be accessed from South Africa via the Kosi Bay border post. WHITE PEARL RESORT White Pearl Resort is situated at Ponta Mamoli just 100 kilometres south of the Mozambican capital, Maputo and 25 kilometres north of the South African border. Surrounded by natural beauty with more than 2 kilometres of ocean frontage; pristine beach to the east and the Maputo Elephant Reserve to the west. White Pearl is the perfect location for guests seeking an active beach break, a post safari 'chill out' or a relaxing and restorative retreat. With easy and affordable access by either road or helicopter and an emphasis on privacy, relaxation and elegant simplicity, it brings a cool, coastal guest experience to Southern Mozambique. The 22 ocean facing suites, featuring clean lines, contemporary furniture and a palette inspired by the surrounding coastal landscape, all comprise private plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers and spacious terraces for dining and lounging. The resort offers a restaurant and beach bar serving delicious dishes which focus on local flavours and produce, beach shop, dive centre with access to the area's most pristine dive sites and a variety of activities including horse riding, kayaking, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing charters and in-room spa treatments. Guests are also invited to discover the wonders of the waters surrounding the resort with the chance to swim with dolphin or visit one of the country s richest turtle nesting sites. It offers guests an insight into the essence of Mozambique, a warm welcome; sincere and charming service provided by local staff; enchanting surroundings, an elegantly simple experience where the true luxury is privacy, peace and time to just be'.
135 Gorongosa National Park The park is at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley in the heart of central Mozambique. Its 770 square kilometres include the valley floor and parts of surrounding plateaus. A combination of unique geographical features meant the area which now forms the Gorongosa National Park at one time supported some of the densest wildlife populations in all of Africa, including charismatic carnivores, herbivores and over 500 bird species. The large mammals, such as zebra, wildebeest and buffalo, which were reduced during Mozambique's long civil conflict, are now returning to the region, thanks to a joint project to restore the eco-system and to develop an ecotourism industry to benefit local communities. The park is nestled in a 4,000 square kilometre section of the Great African Rift Valley system, Africa's most dramatic geological feature. Massive tectonic shifts began forming the rift about 30 million years ago. Mozambique's tropical savannah climate, with an annual cycle of wet and dry seasons, has added yet another factor to the complex equation: constant change in soil moisture that varies with elevation. The park grasslands are dotted with patches of acacia trees, savannah, dry forest on sands and seasonally rain-filled pans and termite hill thickets. The plateaus contain Miombo and montane forests and a spectacular rainforest at the base of a series of limestone gorges. OUR TIPS FOR GORONGOSA NATIONAL PARK Sit by Lake Urema in the park and watch fish eagle swoop down, spoonbill forage, jacana tip toe across lilie, heron and stock pluck fish. Visit Mount Gorongosa and the rainforests at its summit, which support rare species such as the Green-headed Oriole bird. EXPLORE GORONGOSA Explore Gorongosa is a luxury tented camp and series of light wilderness fly camps at a few carefully chosen sites in and around the park, such as at the Murombodzi waterfalls and on top of Mount Gorongosa. Doubles or twin tents are available with luxurious down duvets, cotton linen and fluffy towels and each suite has an alfresco bathroom with fantastic wash-in-the-wild shower. The luxury safari experiences are led by guides through some of the most scenic and wildlife rich areas of Mozambique. Guests are also encouraged to enjoy spending time just being still and soaking up the sights and sounds of this incredible area. This may involve a slow lunch at a bush hide overlooking a waterhole or a perch on a branch of a high tree, a swing from a hammock in camp or a snooze under an ancient giant baobab. There are trips up to Mount Gorongosa, a towering, bird-rich rainforest canopy that separates flowerdotted altiplano highlands on the summit and the cloud forest and waterfall-pocketed grassy plateau of the lower slopes. The mountain can be explored as part of a 2 or 3 day adventure, utilising the fly camp option for overnighting on the slopes and summit of this National Heritage Site. They also can take guests on game and night drives and gentle walking safaris.