"With a mainland boasting 2,500km of Indian Ocean frontage, as well as innumerable idyllic offshore islands and pristine offshore reefs teeming with colourful fish, Mozambique is arguably Africa’s most complete beach destination. And while options for terrestrial wildlife-viewing are limited, this maritime country also boasts some of the region’s most intriguing urban backwaters, most notably Ilha de Moçambique, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose Portuguese architectural heritage stretches back a full 500 years. ”
- Philip Briggs
Mozambique
More than any other country in eastern and southern Africa, Mozambique is first and foremost a beach destination. Its idyllic and well-developed south coast attracts a steady stream of holidaymakers across the border from neighbouring South Africa, while the more remote north coast, home to historic ports such as Ilha de Moçambique and Ibo, is popular with adventurous independent travellers. Both regions possess a startlingly beautiful coastline, and some superb snorkelling and diving opportunities. In addition, a scattering of classy but laidback ‘barefoot luxury’ lodges on the Bazaruto and Quirimba archipelagos together with the Barra Peninsula are starting to attract a more exclusive clientele looking for a beach venue to round off a safari in the wilds of landlocked Zambia, Zimbabwe or Botswana. Those seeking a slightly more unique beach experience can venture to Lago Niassa, which is essentially the Mozambique portion of Lake Malawi.
Prior to the post-independence civil war, Mozambique had a booming sagari industry of its own, focussed mainly on Gorongosa National Park, which was then widely regarded to be the southern African equivalent to the legendary Serengeti. The country’s game reserves no longer compare with the region’s finest, but the likes of Gorongosa, together with Limpopo National Park and the remote Niassa Reserve, form intriguing alternative safari destinations for those seeking a genuinely off-the-beaten-track wilderness experience.
When to go
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Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Like the majority of Southern Africa Mozambique has distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. These rains are however not ‘Monsoon’ like, largely due to the significant rain shadow effect of Madagascar which essentially acts as a giant buffer. Rainfall amounts are therefore surprisingly small considering its location along the Indian Ocean. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. The countries location so close to the equator as well as to the Indian Ocean makes temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, with an average high of between 23°C/73°F and 82°C/82°F.
Bazaruto Archipelago
Bazaruto Archipelago
Protected as a marine national park, the Bazaruto Archipelago comprises five beautiful, small islands. Fringed by white sandy beaches, Bazaruto is an island retreat, but the surrounding turquoise shallows are renowned for their diverse marine life and excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities.
Read MoreGorongosa National Park
Gorongosa National Park
Drawing comparisons to the Serengeti in its pre-civil war heyday, Gorongosa National Park is restoring its reputation as one of the region’s top wildlife-viewing destinations. The floodplain circuit is inhabited by large herds of antelope, and it is also a good place to see elephant and lion.
Read MoreIlha do Moçambique
Ilha do Moçambique
Moçambique is not only the oldest European settlement on the east coast of Africa, but also arguably the most atmospheric and intriguing. The town centre comprises a maze of narrow alleys, Africa’s oldest colonial buildings, and a small number of boutique hotels housed in restored Portuguese villas.
Read MoreInhambane and the Barra Peninsula
Inhambane and the Barra Peninsula
Inhambane is the most historic and atmospheric town on the south coast of Mozambique. It is also the gateway to the Barra Peninsula, a tourist hub renowned for its fine beaches, and superb selection of activities which include ocean safaris in search of whale sharks and manta rays.
Read MoreLago Niassa – Mozambique’s Lake Malawi
Lago Niassa – Mozambique’s Lake Malawi
The scenic Lago Niassa is essentially the Mozambican portion of Lake Malawi, hemmed in by a Rift Valley escarpment whose peaks tower high above the surface. Remote and poorly developed for tourism, it holds off-the-beaten-track appeal, though it does host a couple of exclusive eco-friendly lodges.
Read MoreLimpopo National Park
Limpopo National Park
The 10,000km2 Limpopo National Park forms part of a vast Transfrontier conservation area that includes South Africa’s world-famous Kruger Park. Wildlife is similar to neighbouring Kruger and concentrates on guided walks, overnight trails and canoe trips rather than game drives.
Read MoreMaputaland Coast
Maputaland Coast
Stretching more than 100km south from the capital Maputo to the South African border, Maputaland is a thinly-populated semi-wilderness whose beaches retain an untamed pristine quality often lacking in their more northerly counterparts.
Read MoreMaputo
Maputo
Situated on Maputo Bay at the mouth of the Matola, Umbeluzi and Tembe rivers, Maputo is the national capital of Mozambique, and by far the country’s largest city. In addition to boasting a beautiful seaside location, it possesses a relaxed and distinctively Mozambican Afro-Mediterranean atmosphere.
Read MoreNiassa Reserve
Niassa Reserve
Africa’s third-largest wildlife sanctuary, the 42,000km2 Niassa Reserve - ecologically, an extension of Tanzania’s comparably vast Selous Game Reserve - also ranks as one of the continent’s most underpublicised and inaccessible safari destinations.
Read MoreQuirimba Archipelago
Quirimba Archipelago
The remote Quirimbas are beautiful and biodiverse, comprising a total of 32 offshore islands which host one of the most unspoilt reef ecosystems in the Indian Ocean. The islands are rich in history and culture, with a blend of African, Portuguese and Arabic influences epitomised by the town of Ibo.
Read MoreWhat People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
