Mozambique – Holiday Paradise

Beach Holidays - Game Fishing, Scuba, Snorkeling and Just Relaxing

May 6, 2007

Romantic island getaways in luxury resorts, camping on the beach under palm trees, self-catering chalets for family holidays - Mozambique has it all - a Holiday Paradise.

Mozambique, with its capital city, Maputo has a population of about 19 million. This former Portuguese colony is a holiday paradise for low budget fishing, scuba, snorkeling and island and beach getaways.

Maputo boasts interesting colonial architecture and is the best place to enjoy Mozambique’s famous LM prawns. (Maputo used to be called Lourenco Marques - LM).

Where to go for a tropical island vacation in Southern Mozambique

The Bazaruto Archipelago is right off shore with unbelievable snorkeling and diving opportunities. The islands create miles and miles of unspoiled beaches and the reef invites you to put on your mask and fins and plunge into the clear warm Indian Ocean water.

The tides here can be very dramatic and the water is constantly changing color. The Bazaruto Archipelago is the perfect place for a relaxing beach holiday. It also offers great diving and some of the best game fishing in the world. Accommodation is plentiful -luxury lodges and holiday hideaways - at the top end of the market. For overseas travelers it probably won't be expensive -dollars stretch far in developing countries.

For cheaper accommodation than in this slice of paradise, stay at Vilankula, gateway to the Archipelago, which has many camp sites, dive and fishing companies, self-catering accommodation and a few lodges.

Here are a few recommendations. Travelers should do some research on the websites provided because Mozambique is truly a holiday paradise and there are plenty of options - from luxury to backpackers.

Best places to stay in Mozambique for backpackers

Turtle Cove Surf Camp is a rustic and chilled out lodge, build with a strong blend of Mozambican, Ethiopian and Moroccan architecture, set in gardens of palm trees, 20kms from the town of Inhambane. Inhambane is like a living museum town, dotted with street cafes, colorful markets and dhows plying their trade in the warm waters of the bay. This is a home from home for backpackers.

Best Budget Resort in Mozambique

Morrungulo is a holiday hideaway set among thousands of coconut palms on a beautiful beach. It has camping facilities and 4-bed thatched chalets that are rinsed by the sea at spring tides.

Best Hotel in Mozambique

The legendary Polana Hotel in Maputo is the grande dame of Mozambican hotels. Here you can fulfill all your colonial dreams. The food at Polana Hotel deserves its 5-star rating as one of the finest restaurants in Mozambique.

Best Resorts in Mozambique

Luxury, pampering – the Quilalea Island Lodge and the Mejumbe Island Resort – are glamorous, romantic (and intimate) getaways on atolls in the Quirimbas Archipelago.

Indigo Bay Island Resort is situated on the idyllic and pristine Bazaruto Island. It offers visitors everything they could fantasize about in an Indian Ocean island holiday . This is also a gateway to the unspoiled beauty of the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Best Beach Lodge in Mozambique

Dugong is an elegant lodge set on the Sao Sebastiao Peninsula, within a marine and wildlife sanctuary - the perfect place for way beyond total relaxation.

Built on stilts in the crystal-clear waters of Flamingo Bay, Flamingo Lodge on Inhambane Bay is a beach getaway with a difference.

Go2Africa.com offers nine package tours and Safaris starting, ending or going through Mozambique for travelers who prefer a more organised kind of holiday.

A word of warning: the roads are mostly in poor condition and you must stay on known routes because of landmines. Never photograph government buildings and ask people’s permission before you photograph them. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and use common sense; minimize the valuables you carry and don't put yourself in isolating situations, especially in urban areas and on beaches.

Malaria warning – consults your doctor or travel clinic before you leave for suitable prophylaxis.

Mozguide.com is a Q&A section – Ask Mike. It seems you can ask this guy anything about Mozambique, from accommodation to bus timetables.

So whether your vacation is a luxury secluded island getaway or a friendly comfortable space for backpackers, Mozambique is a great destination.