Essential Mozambique: Maputo and Bazaruto
Duration : 10 days
Route : Maputo (2 nights, art deco capital) → Vilanculos flight (1 night) → Bazaruto boat archipelago (5 nights, Anantara or Azura) → return Vilanculos → Maputo flight (1)
Custom travel to Mozambique
Mozambique is one of the Indian Ocean's best-kept secrets — coastal country of 801,590 km² (1.5 times France) for 33 million inhabitants, 13-15 h of flight with stopover from Paris (via Johannesburg or Doha). Independence 1975 (former Portuguese colony since 15th century, no francophonie, lusophonie maintained — 4% of population speaks Portuguese as native language, 60% as second language). Nicknamed 'the Indian Ocean pearl' for its 2,700 KM OF preserved COASTLINE (one of sub-Saharan Africa's longest coastlines), 26-29 °C tropical waters year-round, more than 30 ARCHIPELAGOS and islands with white-pink sand, turquoise lagoons, CORAL REEFS classified among the world's richest. Flagship sites: BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO (5 islands in country's south — Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina, Bangue, Marine National Park 1971, 1,430 km², one of Africa's oldest marine parks, exclusivity preserved by 5★ premium lodges — Anantara, Azura, Kisawa Sanctuary), QUIRIMBAS ARCHIPELAGO (32 tropical islands in country's NORTHEAST above Rovuma mouth, National Park 2002, 11,000 km², one of the world's most preserved marine ecosystems — fewer than 5,000 visitors/year, eco-luxury lodges Vamizi, Anantara Medjumbe, Ibo Island Lodge), MOZAMBIQUE ISLAND (UNESCO 1991, former Portuguese capital of Mozambique 1507-1898, one of Africa's MOST BEAUTIFUL PORTUGUESE COLONIAL CITIES, perfectly preserved 16th-19th-century coral stone architecture), MAPUTO (capital 1.1 million inhabitants, unique African Portuguese colonial art deco architecture, Caribbean nightlife), GORONGOSA NATIONAL PARK (4,067 km², iconic park restored after civil war by Carr foundation — elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes), CHIMOIO (coffee plantations and tea). A destination for preserved beach enthusiasts, premium snorkeling/diving, and unique Afro-Portuguese atmosphere. 10-14 days to combine Bazaruto and Maputo, or 14-18 days for Quirimbas and Mozambique Island.
Highlights
- Bazaruto Archipelago (Marine Park, dugongs)
- Quirimbas Archipelago (32 preserved islands)
- UNESCO Mozambique Island (16th-century Portuguese capital)
- 2,700 km of coastline and preserved beaches
- Maputo (colonial art deco architecture)
- World-top snorkeling and diving
Sample itineraries
Quirimbas: exclusive northern archipelago
Duration : 12 days
Route : Maputo (1) → Pemba flight (1) → Vamizi Island or Anantara Medjumbe boat (6 nights) → Ibo Island boat (3 nights, UNESCO village) → return Pemba → Maputo (1)
Cultural Mozambique + beaches
Duration : 14 days
Route : Maputo (2) → Nampula flight → Mozambique Island UNESCO (3 nights) → Pemba flight → Quirimbas (5 nights, Anantara Medjumbe) → Maputo flight (1) → optional Bazaruto extension (2 nights)
When to go
May-November is the best period (dry season, pleasant temperatures 22-30 °C, calm sea, perfect diving). JUNE-OCTOBER: HUMPBACK WHALE observation (Bazaruto, Quirimbas). NOVEMBER-MARCH: WHALE SHARKS (Tofo Beach), marlin sport fishing (October-March). Avoid December-March (rainy season, possible tropical cyclones January-March on northern coast).
- Cool dry season (ideal) (May – August) — All sites accessible, turquoise sea
- Humpback whale peak (September – October) — Humpback whales at max, crystalline waters
- Hot dry season (November) — Marlin fishing, whale sharks (Tofo)
- Rainy season (cyclones) (December – April) — Possible lodge closures January-March
Practical information
Safe in tourist areas (Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, Maputo). CAUTION: AVOID CABO DELGADO (northern province, 2020+ instability with Daesh-affiliated activity, some northern coastal areas affected). Visa on arrival for French citizens ($50, 30 days). Mandatory yellow fever vaccine if arriving from endemic country. ESSENTIAL antimalarial (malaria present year-round, especially low coasts Bazaruto, Quirimbas, Tofo). Avoid tap water. Cards accepted in tourist hotels and Maputo, cash (USD or MZN) elsewhere. Portuguese omnipresent (official language), limited English outside tourist hotels — learn basic Portuguese phrases. Tipping: 10% in restaurants, $5-$10/day for guides and drivers.
Frequently asked questions
When?
May-November (dry season). June-October humpback whales. Avoid December-March (cyclones January-March northern coast).
How long?
10 days for Maputo + Bazaruto. 12 days for Quirimbas. 14 days culture + beaches with Mozambique Island.
Budget?
€4,500-€7,000 per person for 10 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €9,500-€15,000. Flights: €1,100-€1,500.
Visa?
Visa on arrival for French citizens ($50, 30 days, USD payment).
Cabo Delgado safety?
AVOID northern Cabo Delgado areas (2020+ instability, Daesh-affiliated activity). Verify Quirimbas conditions before departure — most lodges are south, away.
Family?
Ideal for families (Bazaruto in particular — safe beaches, snorkeling, no marine predators). Quirimbas more adventurous from age 14.
How to get around?
LAM Mozambique domestic flights essential. Charter Cessna flights for islands. 4×4 with Portuguese-English-speaking driver at Maputo and Vilanculos.
Diving: level?
Snorkeling accessible to all (reefs 50-200 m from beach). Scuba diving from Open Water (PADI/SSI). Certifications possible at Bazaruto and Quirimbas.
Combine?
Yes: Mozambique + South Africa (Kruger, Cape Town), Mozambique + Eswatini, Mozambique + Tanzania (Zanzibar), Mozambique + Madagascar.
Tips?
10% in restaurants. $5-$10/day for guides and drivers. 5★ lodges tipping at discretion ($10/day for butler).