Mozambique Trips

Mozambique’s highlights run along the coast and a little way inland. The Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos are the diving and snorkeling heart of the country, a natural fit for water tours, while Gorongosa National Park is the place inland for wildlife tours and big-game safari. On the mainland, Maputo brings markets and Afro-Portuguese food, and the island of Ilha de Moçambique preserves a UNESCO-listed stone town.

Most days revolve around the water: scuba diving and snorkeling over coral reefs, sailing between islands on a traditional dhow, sea-kayaking the mangroves and looking for whale sharks and dugong. Away from the coast there are game drives in Gorongosa and slower cultural days in Maputo and on Ilha de Moçambique that fit naturally with broader cultural sightseeing tours.

Choosing when to visit Mozambique hinges on your interests. For beach and water sports, aim for April to September's dry season, offering cooler, less humid conditions. This period also suits wildlife watchers for optimal safari experiences. Conversely, the wet season, October to March, is ideal for birding, despite being hotter and more humid.

1. Dive and snorkel the Bazaruto Archipelago: protected reefs, sandbars and clear water off Vilanculos, home to dugong, turtles and reef fish.
2. Swim with whale sharks at Tofo: the beach town of Tofo is one of the most reliable places in the world to snorkel with whale sharks and giant manta rays through much of the year.
3. Safari in Gorongosa National Park: once written off after decades of conflict, Gorongosa is now one of Africa’s great wildlife-recovery stories, with returning lion, elephant and large antelope herds.
4. Sail the Quirimbas by dhow: in the far north, the Quirimbas Archipelago pairs Swahili-era trading islands with near-empty beaches, explored slowly under sail.
5. Wander the stone town of Ilha de Moçambique: a UNESCO World Heritage island that was the capital of Portuguese East Africa, with old churches, a sea fort and coral-rag lanes.

Mozambique pairs naturally with its neighbours on a longer Southern and East Africa trip. To the south it shares a long border with guided South Africa tours, while to the north the same Swahili coast and safari country continues into guided Tanzania tours. Both slot into wider Africa tours that link several countries in one trip.