Mozambique has a tropical climate with two seasons, a wet season from November to March and a dry season from April to October (the dry season starts in the south and moves north so if travelling early in the season we would recommend the southern beaches).

The coolest months are June to August, although temperatures can still reach 30 degrees or so. Climatic conditions, however, vary depending on altitude.

Rainfall is heavy along the coast and decreases first in the south and then the north, although as Mozambique is in the rain shadow of Madagascar (with the rains tending to arrive on the south-westerly trade winds,) it does tend to be drier than its neighbours.

The main attraction in Mozambique is the coast, islands and marine life. There is wonderful scuba diving, swimming, fishing and sailing available.There is a wide abundance of reef fish, as well as turtles, rays, dolphins, whales (seasonal) and for the lucky few the elusive Dugong. The coral reefs are generally close to the shore and in very good unspoilt condition. The water is generally crystal clear and the water warm making it the perfect location for diving.

Accommodation ranges from small boutique hotels and rustic beach resorts to luxury island escapes,  with a wide variety of activities available. Barefoot luxury is a common term as many resorts are simplistic, eco-friendly and using traditional methods for building and operating. Beach lodges do tend to be pretty rustic so if you’re after 5 star luxury you may be better off in Mauritius.

Pemba is renowned as being a fantastic destination for scuba diving enthusiasts as it is home to a wonderfully pristine coral reef which is easily accessible. Pemba is a popular holiday spot already for  Mozambicans and South Africans and as such as a good range of hotels and restaurants and other facilities. Pemba is the closest major city and airport for those who wish to visit Quirimbas Islands and Quirimbas National Park. To access islands such as Ibo a light aircraft flight is required, whereas Guludo, north of Pemba can be reached by vehicle along the mainland coast. (*Please note FCO advice January 2019 for this northern sector of the Mozambique coast.*)

The Quirimbas Islands lie in the Indian Ocean off the northeastern coast. The archipelago consists of about 27 islands and was made up of Arab trading posts and small fishing villages. Today, many of the islands are uninhabitated. The islands are famous for their high-quality diving sites, including spectacular drop-offs, some up to 400 meters.

The Quirimbas National Park, is a protected area in the islands which spans around 7 500 km², includes the 11 most southerly islands.

Also worth visiting is the Bazaruto Archipelago which is a group of six islands in near the mainland city of Viklankulo. It is a proclaimed marine national park that boasts sensational beaches and magnificent scenery. The archipelago comprises of the islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, , Banque, and Santa Carolina and Shell Island.Tourist attractions include sandy beaches and coral reefs – again perfect for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving.

The most easily accessible region of Mozambique is the Maputo Special Reserve and Machangulo peninsula which faces Inhaca Island. A number of  lodges are located here on this stunningly beautiful stretch of wild coast (Machangulo, Anvil Bay, Colina Verde beach house and White Pearl) Machangulo is reached by a tide dependant 75 minute boat ride from Maputo marina – the lodge has a wonderful dramatic location and offers very simple 3 star old-school beach hut style accommodation (Sara visited in 2019).  White Pearl is the easiest to access as it can now be reached in about 90 minutes drive from Maputo usng the new Maputo Katembe bridge and is an excellent quality option, but quite comtemporary in style (Lily visited in 2015). We love the look and feel of new Anvil Bay which sits between the two with access to Maputo Special Reserve and can’t wait to visit.

The country’s natural beauty, wildlife, and historic heritage are all great reasons to visit Mozambique as you can go on safari, soak up the vibrant culture in the cities and relax on some of the world’s best beaches. Despite game numbers being decimated during the wars there is positive growth in many of the nation’s parks, especially the Maputo Special Reserve and Gorongosa Parks. Huge efforts are being made, aided by the South African authorities, to increase game levels by the free roaming of game across into Mozambique’s reserves from the Greater Kruger.

One of our senior sales consultants Lily loves Mozambique, having visited twice in the last couple of years, and spending time doing extensive research on its beach resorts….both north and south…