Mozambique is a really lovely country that has so much to offer. It has some of the best beaches and waters in the world and some of the friendliest and charming people. I ended up extending my visa twice and stayed 3 months in this country and didn’t want to leave! In order of North to South, here are the most recommended places to travel to in Mozambique with detailed information:
Only adventurous travelers take on Northern Mozambique as it isn’t as easy or as comfortable to travel as the South. The roads are in worse conditions and the distances are big and take time to travel on public transportation. If you have the patience for it, you will be heavily rewarded. It has some of the most stunning islands and beaches in the world. Also with fewer tourists and cheaper prices than the South.
For a separate blog post on Northern Mozambique featuring places such as Nampula, Ilha de Mocambique/Mozambique Island, Pemba and Ibo Island and the Quirimbas Archipelago click here: Traveling Northern Mozambique: Off the beaten path
From Nampula, If you go South afterwards by land, you will want to break the journey with stops in:
View from buses
-Quelimane, a manageable city where most people get around on bicycle taxi. To treat yourself with some real comfort after all the traveling.
Where to Stay in Quelimane
I highly recommend Elite Hotel. It has a swimming pool, air conditioned rooms and is conveniently located in town.
-Beira, The next stop heading south by land will probably be this coastal city and main port of the country. This city has some beautiful decaying and picturesque architecture downtown. If you don’t want to go towards the coast, another option inland of Beira to stop in is Chimoio (also a popular stop coming from and going to Zimbabwe). There is a backpackers there called Pink Papaya.
Vilanculos and Bazaruto
From there a few hours south is Vilanculos a town on the coast famous for being the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. This world famous archipelago consists of 6 islands that have stunning turquoise waters and white sand beaches that people visit on day trips. I did mine with Dolphin Dhow Safaris. Besides these boat trips, you should go and see the sand dunes a few kilometres north of the town of Vilanculos. They are beautiful, offer great views and are a beautiful place for sunset. Complexo Alemanha and Baobab Beach are two backpackers in town.
Tofo
Further South along the coast lies a place that is famous with travelers, Tofo near the city of Inhambane. It is such a special place that I ended up staying 6 weeks there and did a separate blog post on Tofo: Tofo: A Slice of Heaven in Mozambique
Maputo
Around 8 hours South of Inhambane is the capital of Mozambique, Maputo.
It is famous for its architecture, seafood, beautiful people and blend of Portuguese history and modern day pulse of Mozambique.
Where to Stay in Maputo
Fatimas Backpackers is nice, conveniently located and has a daily shuttle to Tofo.
Ferry boat in Maputo
Around 2 hours South of Maputo and less than 10km away from the South African border lies Ponta Do Ouro. It is a pretty beach town surrounded by hills. It is a world famous scuba diving place that also has kite surfing. It’s location next to the South African border makes it feel like an extension of South Africa. Most people speak English and most places displaying prices in South African Rand.
Where to Stay in Ponto Do Ouro
The Gamboozini Lodge is a nice and recommended affordable place to stay with a swimming pool, dorms, rooms and a five minute walk from the beach.
Who to Dive with in Ponto Do Ouro
Gozo Azul offers scuba diving, as well as snorkeling and fishing trips. If you’ve ever wanted to see sharks in their natural habitat, The Pinnacles dive site is considered the 8th best place in the world to dive with sharks.
How to Get Around
There is an alternative to the public transportation for those who don’t have as much time to spare. Or want to travel with more comfort. There are two Shuttle Service companies I recommend that go as far North as Tofo from Johannesburg Tours 2 Moz and MTS.
Post on Northern Mozambique: Traveling Northern Mozambique: Off the beaten path
Post on Tofo, Mozambique: Tofo: A Slice of Heaven in Mozambique
Additional Information:
Basic Portuguese:
https://alekshybut.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/ten-helpful-portuguese-phrases-to-know-in-mozambique-how-to-say-them/
One of the more popular bus companies in Mozambique:
https://www.facebook.com/NAGIinvestimentos/
You can also learn more about dolphins and interact with them in Ponta Do Ouro with Dolphin Encountours
https://www.dolphinencountours.org/
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Please Note that my stays at some of the guesthouses in this post were sponsored, but all views are my own.
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3 Comments
Thank you for the great article. Great photos. Nature is fascinating. Next year I plan my vacation in Mozambique!
thank you very much for the kind words, very happy to help and let us know how your Mozambique trip goes!
Hello. remarkable job. I did not expect this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!