Population
32,969,518
capital
Maputo
Language
Portuguese, Makhuwa, Changana, Nyanja, Ndau, Sena, Chwabo
currency
Mozambican metical
Flight time
15 hours and 10 minutes from the UK
time difference
UTC/GMT +2 hours
best time to go
Sep-Nov
Introducing Mozambique
If you’re looking for an adventure, come to Mozambique. This forgotten destination is not well known for its white sand beaches and secret island getaways, or its rich culture and interesting colonial streets, or its freshly caught seafood dishes and tasty beach barbeques; but it should be. A journey to Mozambique is all of those things and more. And whether you’re looking for total relaxation with spectacular sea views, a non-stop safari adventure with birdwatching and game viewing, or cultural exploration and enchanting cities, Mozambique has a got a little bit of everything so there’s something for every kind of traveller. But what most people really fall in love with is the incredible coastline, a stretch of spectacular shores along the entire East side of the nation; this thin strip of land faces out into the stunning Indian Ocean and Madagascar, offering some of the finest places to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. And divers are in luck too – some of the world’s best dive spots can be found here and you’ll have the pleasure of sharing the waters with every species from Manta Rays and Sharks to Clownfish and Angelfish.
Dotted with popular beach destinations, Mozambique’s coastline is one of the nation’s finest assets, and with so much wildlife and marine life, there’ll never be a dull moment. The popular Tofo Bay is a protected sanctuary for turtles whilst the Quirimbas and Bazaruto archipelagos offer remote underwater exploration amongst the colourful fishes living the in the coral reefs. And like most beach destinations along the East coast, there’ll be a laidback beach vibe and plenty of fun activities for guests to get involved in, including beach soccer, surfing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and various cultural activities such as arts and crafts. But the one thing you certainly can’t miss during your time on a Mozambique beach is the famous ‘Braai’, the beach barbeque that everyone out and about to eat and socialise. And if this beach life isn’t enough to entice you, a cultural journey to the capital of Maputo or an elephant tracking tour at Limpopo National Park surely will.
Family
It’s not the first beach destination you think of when you’re travelling with young children but Mozambique is more family friendly than you might think. Whilst travelling around on public transport can sometimes be a challenge, the best hotels and resorts are often very kid friendly so it’s worth it when you finally get there. Baby changing facilities may not be easy to find if you’re out and about but travelling here with older children should be relatively easy. Not all beaches are suitable for non-swimmers but many are great for bathing, building sandcastles and paddling in the water. Some lodges and hotels will also offer babysitting services for parents who need some time to themselves, and some will also have children’s pool areas or dedicated children’s play areas.
Cuisine
The food of Mozambique combines a number of different cooking styles including traditional African cuisine and Portuguese cuisine which has been an influence for many decades. One of the most notable national foods is shrimp or prawns (always freshly caught) and these are usually covered in a spicy Peri Peri sauce before being grilled or fried and served with rice or chips on the side. Some other local foods you may come across are Matapa (stewed cavassa leaves with peanuts and spices), Paõ (Portuguese white bread rolls), Peri Peri chicken and Prego roll (steak bread roll) as well as a whole array of fish and seafood. A range of local beers will also be available in most hotels, resorts and bars, as will signature rum cocktails.
History and Culture
The culture of Mozambique is very much influenced by its Bantu history, Swahili history and its long history under Portuguese rule. The country’s main language us Portuguese and charming colonial areas can still be seen in the country’s main cities of Maputo, Beira, Quelimane and Chimoio. The majority of the local people are of African descent, although there are small expat communities (mainly in Beira and Maputo).
Recommended Mozambique Specialists
Top Locations in Mozambique
Tofo Bay
The popular resort of Tofo Bay is a fantastic area along the coast. Not only are the beaches gorgeous but the surfing is pretty awesome too. There are many beach activities including soccer, swimming, scuba and snorkel, deep sea fishing, horse riding, whale watching, para sailing and body boarding. Tofo also has some great nightlife and plenty of delicious seafood restaurants!
Limpopo National Park
The incredible park of Limpopo is set in the country’s far West, bordering South Africa and forming a part of the wider Kruger National Park where you can spot The Big Five; the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo and the rhino. Although game numbers are not as high as they are in SA at Kruger, you can still spot many mammals on walking safaris, canoe safaris and 4x4 driving safaris.
Bazaruto Archipelago
This collection of six islands form one of the most idyllic beach spots in Mozambique. It’s a great place for divers and you will be able to see the very rare and beautiful Dugong as well as Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, sea horses and many other fantastic marine life. Honeymooners love it here and families are made to feel welcome too.
Quirimbas Islands
If you’re looking for a secluded beach holiday away from busy crowds and highly developed tourist areas, these islands are the perfect place to go. This is perhaps the longest stretch of East African coastline where marine environments are ecologically pristine and unexplored and the Quirimbas National Park encourage eco and responsible tourism to ensure that they can safeguard the coral reefs and marine life for the future.
Xai-Xai
Another popular resort area in Mozambique is the beautiful Xai-Xai, a city in the South which offers a great choice of golden sand beaches. There are family friendly beach areas and the water is safe for kids to swim and paddle in.