Mozambique– Mozambique

Mozambique’s main attractions are its islands and its endless, largely undeveloped coastline. The Quirimbas and Bazaruto archipelagos are great to relax on the beach, and to see some amazing marine life. Maputo Special Reserve is an excellent spot for ocean safaris, as well as for seeing elephants and other terrestrial wildlife in a coastal setting. Niassa National Reserve and Gorongosa National Park both have enormous potential to become top wildlife destinations with four of the Big Five present, though tourist facilities are limited at present.

More affordable than the Seychelles and less built-up than Mauritius, Mozambique is fast becoming the place to go for classic tropical island holidays. Its wide mainland beaches are lapped by the warm Indian Ocean but the most appealing destinations lie just offshore: two clusters of postcard-perfect islands dot the blue horizon – the Bazaruto Archipelago in the south and the exclusive private islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago near the Tanzanian border in the far north.

A Mozambique holiday is the perfect excuse to kick off your shoes, take off your watch and gear down to the slow pace of island life: swim, snorkel, laze in the sunshine or set sail on a sunset dhow cruise. When the mood takes you there are richly coloured coral reefs waiting to be explored on scuba diving trips, and the clear waters are world-renowned for big game fishing.

All our favourite beach lodges sit right at the ocean's edge yet each has a unique character and appeal. For a Mozambique honeymoon we’d highly recommend our Quirimbas accommodation – choose between luxurious villas or romantic, thatched suites with virtually a whole island to yourselves – while our Bazaruto lodges combine easily with the Kruger National Park, making them ideal for a safari and beach holiday.

Mozambique also pairs perfectly with the under-rated kwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Separated by the border, they both share the same subtropical climate, lush vegetation and kick-off-your-shoes atmosphere. The wildlife highlight in kwaZulu-Natal is Phinda Private Game Reserve where reclaimed farmland has over decades been painstakingly converted to indigenous bush. Phinda is a great combination for a Mozambique beach vacation. If you want to venture slightly further afield in search of game, then Madikwe Game Reserve is also easily reached from Mozambique. Lying in an ecological transition zone, Madikwe is wonderful place to look for endangered wild dogs.