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Mozambique Travelling Packages,
Accommodation and Islands
Only
a few years ago Maputo had no running water and electricity was
a luxury but visitors today report that this port city has undergone
swift and dramatic changes and developments. The rusty wrecks are
gone, the torn-up tarmac repaired and gleaming new luxury vehicles
wait impatiently at six-lane intersections now guarded by newly
installed traffic lights.
Maputo (and indeed the whole of southern Mozambique)
is experiencing a real, unqualified 'African Renaissance' and you
can eat at a newly opened restaurant weekly, or recommend yet another
just-finished hotel every few months.
Most people use Maputo as just a stopping off point
to the beaches and islands of Mozambique but it is worth spending
a night here if to do nothing more than visit the amazing seafood
market. You can choose your ingredients as you walk around and then
drop them off with one of the market kitchens where a meal to rival
the worlds best seafood restaurants will be conjured up in minutes
Bazaruto Archipelago
Opposite the coastal town of Vilankulo, lies a
chain of five islands. Once part of the mainland, this “spit” broke
away from the African continent 25 000 years ago to form the Archipelago,
comprising three larger islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque,
as well as the smaller Banque and Santa Carolina, (previously known
as Paradise Island).
Sunsets, peace and solitude are a reality on the
Bazaruto islands, allowing the visitor to choose what to do – or
not to do. However, guests can relax on unspoiled, uncrowded, pristine
beaches while for the more active there is excellent bird watching,
superb diving and snorkeling as well as excellent fishing.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Scuba diving in the Bazaruto Archipelago has been likened to diving
at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The corals alone can keep
the diver spell-bound as the full spectrum of coral species are
present. Over 600 species of fish have been recorded during Scuba
diving. Humpback whales, dolphins and moray eels often accompany
the diver on explorations of the marine world. Leatherback, Loggerhead,
Green and Hawksbill turtles and the mystical dugong are also sometimes
sighted.
Bazaruto Island
Ilha Do Bazaruto
The largest island in the Archipelago is Bazaruto Island, approx.
37 km in length and 7 km at its widest point. The name Bazaruto
originates from a local word; “Ushurutswa”, which means “island
of the mist”; the Portuguese later converted it to Bazaruto.
Legend has it that pearls were collected for the Queen of Sheba
off the coast of Bazaruto.
There are two lodges on this island of Bazaruto;
the 4-star Pestana Bazaruto Lodge Island Resort, which is situated in a
sheltered bay below the lighthouse, and the newer 5-star Indigo Bay Island Resort, further south.
The eastern strip of the island is composed of
enormous sand dunes. The remainder of the island is thicket, grassland,
scrub and wetland. Wildlife species include dolphins, dugongs, humpback
whales and marine turtles.
The freshwater lakes are home to big crocodiles. Near the north point
of the island is an old lighthouse, the Farol do Bazaruto, built
by the Portuguese over 100 years ago. This has not been in operation
for many years, but the view from the top of the lighthouse is truly
spectacular.
Bazaruto Island has two airstrips, one near each of the resorts.
Benguerra
Approximately 55 square kilometers
in extent, Benguerra Island was originally named “Santa Antonio” by
Portuguese explorers and was later named Benguerra after a local
Tribal chief.
The island is approximately 11km in length and
5,5km wide and lies 14km offshore from the mainland and the town
of Vilankulo.
Cashew nut trees are indigenous and grow on the
seaward side of the island. The locals harvest the nuts and the toxic
husk from the nuts is used to brew very intoxicating liquor.
Wild orange trees contain a natural strychnine
poison when green but can be eaten when ripe. Sisal plants are plentiful
and are used in a manufactured form by the locals to repair their
fishing nets. Mlala palms are in abundance and the leaves are used
for the weaving of mats, baskets and hats, which are then sold. The
sap from the stem of the plant is also used to brew potent liquor.
The locals who grow a small amount of sweet potatoes,
paw-paws and onions also harvest coconut palms. On the southern point
of the island you will find Casuarina trees planted by convicts from
Penal colonies in the area during Portuguese rule. The trees are
not indigenous and were planted to prevent erosion on the island.
The island has a usable hard grass airstrip. Co-ordinates are: 21.51.00S
35.27.00E 1000 metres.
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| Barra
has secluded, unspoilt beaches, surrounded by the Inhambane
estuary on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. The
lodge is nestled among groves of coconut trees and all rooms
have superb beach and sea views |
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| Offering
travellers a sublime stop-over in Vilankulo. Reminiscent of
a gracious era, its buildings encompassed in lush gardens,
Casa Rex overlooks the southern-central section of Vilankulo
Bay. |
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| Remote
and untouched by commercial developments and one of the most
fascinating, idyllic islands you could dream of visiting. This
is Ibo Island, or as the locals call it: Ilha do Ibo. |
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| This
setting offers a unique combination of beauty, security and
relaxation that makes it the perfect spot for lovers and nature
lovers, as well as divers and sea sports enthusiasts |
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| This
diverse eco-system of bush and wetland, with its powder white
beaches and crystal clear water is host to a magnificent array
of fish, Dolphin and very importantly, the nearly extinct Dugong. |
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| Surrounded
by azure waters and basking in the tropical sun, Indigo Bay
is an idyllic and totally unspoiled island paradise. |
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| Inhaca
Island is situated across the bay of Maputo, just 40 km from
the capital city of Mozambique. It is easily accessed with
daily air transfers from Maputo. |
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| Each
day you'll be reminded of the Archipelago's colourful past
as fishermen pole their beautiful dhows - a sight unaltered
in centuries - out to catch the wind. |
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| Situated
in the magnificent Quirimbas Archipelago off the coast of Northern
Mozambique, the remote Island of Matemo offers idyllic Mozambique
island accommodation. |
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Indulge
yourself with a glorious holiday at a superb hotel on the golden,
sun-kissed beach of Wimbe.
Situated just outside of Pemba, the capital of the Cabo Delgado
province |
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