Mozambique is a destination just waiting for its time to come, thanks to a wealth of natural attractions, in particular vast stretches of unspoilt coastline and picture perfect desert islands. It may be off most travellers’ radars, but this only adds to the magic of Mozambique holidays. Southern Mozambique’s pristine coastline is gloriously crowd-free, inviting sun worshippers to set up shop on a stretch of untouched sand. Seasoned snorkellers and keen divers can venture beneath the waves to discover the coral reefs of the Bazaruto Archipelago, with the plumes of vibrant fish as your main form of company. Maputo – the country’s coastal capital – is a jumble of Mediterranean-style buildings and lively eateries, centred around the bustling baixo (old town), while the city of Beira and the town of Pemba are equally worthy of being included in your itinerary.

Mozambique holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Why visit Mozambique with Original Travel

We’re big fans of an under-the-radar destination, and postcard-perfect Mozambique fits the bill effortlessly. Its spectacular southern coastline is hard to beat, and we know the best spots to suit honeymooners and multi-generational families alike. Whether you’d rather snorkel and dive in the turquoise Indian Ocean, head out on dhow sailing boat trips or try your hand at sea kayaking, we’ll tailor-make every detail of your trip. From sprawling private villas to luxurious beachfront hotels, we work with a range of tried-and-tested properties that we’re confident you’ll adore.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Mozambique

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

Travel to Mozambique by Region

Northern Mozambique & Quirimbas Archipelago

The remote beauty of the Quirimbas archipelago makes it one of the most wonderful places to visit on the East African coast. Unfortunately the terrorism situation at the moment means Northern Mozambique is off limits, but we very much hope that the situation will be resolved within the coming couple of years. With that in mind, we have kept the region on the website for you to see how special place this was, and will be again. Getting to the Quirimbas Archipelago may require a long journey by air, land and sea, but it is well, well worth the effort. In addition to idyllic beaches, the archipelago contains mangrove forests and some of the richest coral reefs in the world. Over 350 species of reef fish have been recorded, and other marine species present include turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, humpback whales, and the endangered dugong. As well as world class snorkelling and diving, activities include sea kayaking, fishing and sailing trips on traditional dhows. Add in delicious fresh seafood and you have a great destination for a barefoot beach holiday. For a dose of culture amidst all the R&R and aquatic activities, Ibo Island also has a long and interesting history as a trading post, with the Chinese, Arabs and Portuguese all having left their mark.

Southern Mozambique & Bazaruto Archipelago

Bazaruto Archipelago holidays in Southern Mozambique are all about exploring deserted and pristine white beaches; snorkelling and diving in warm turquoise seas and visiting small fishing communities. Apart from the odd luxury lodge dotted amongst the islands, there is nothing much to disturb the serene beauty of the Bazaruto Archipelago. And on the subject of the lodges, we have been lucky enough to visit them all, and the overall standard is right up there with the very best beach lodges worldwide. Offshore, the fertile waters are home to an abundance of life providing superb diving and snorkelling opportunities and some of the best salt water fly-fishing and deep-sea fishing in the world. On most days you should see shoals of dolphin feeding off the endless supply of fish, and if you are lucky you may see a rare dugong or humpback whales and whale sharks migrating along the Mozambique Channel between the mainland and Madagascar. With over 150 species of birds, the Bazaruto Archipelago is also a haven for twitchers, and at certain times of year you are likely to be sharing the beach with huge stands of flamingoes. Other activities include island hopping, visits to turtle nesting grounds, beach walks, and riding.

Our Mozambique holiday collections

Discover different ways to explore Mozambique

Mozambique Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

Mozambique Testimonials

1 reviews
4 / 5
"White Pearl was very special. The staff were outstanding and did a lot to make our stay a pleasure. We loved having breakfast on our verandah and choosing a different private spot for dinner each night. We thought the cottage we were in was ideal as it gave us easy access to the beach but still felt very private. Thank you again for all your help and personal attention. We are hoping to contact you again one day for that trip to Malawi I so wanted to do! "
Emmylou - Liverpool
Published on 16th August 2019

Our Mozambique
specialists

Our consultants are passionate about Mozambique and can arrange a host of activities to make your holiday unforgettable. Be it football games with island locals in the Bazaruto archipelago, learning about a coral reef conservation project or horse riding along the beach, everything will be tailored to suit your interests. Wildlife enthusiasts can time their trip to enjoy seasonal whale watching or turtle hatchings (although there’s plenty to see at any time of year). For a bush and beach adventure, we’ll use our expertise to combine your Mozambique holiday with a safari stopover in South Africa.

What you can find in Mozambique that you won't find anywhere else?

Perhaps lesser known on the luxury holiday circuit than some of its African contemporaries, Mozambique is nevertheless home to a wondrous coastline. With their palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs, the beautiful islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago in the south or the Quirimbas Archipelago in the north make the perfect luxury holiday destination, although sadly for now the Quirimbas Archipelago remains off limits. This is particularly sad because many of the towns on the mainland and on the islands that are currently off limits have attractive Portuguese colonial-era architecture, and a colourful local culture. A case in point is Ibo Island, whose strategic position has meant it's been conquered by everyone from the Omanis to the Chinese and eventually the Portuguese. The atmospheric, if dilapidated, town is a fascinating place to potter around and we can't wait for it to have the green light again.


Another major reason for leaving the lounger is the spectacular snorkelling and diving available along the coastline and around the islands. The water is crystal clear and the marine life on offer something truly special. Mozambique has several marine national parks in the Indian Ocean and several of the Original Travel team have dived here and are in general agreement that this is one of the best dive spots anywhere on the planet.


In time, the country aims to take on its neighbours (South Africa and Tanzania) at the 'bush and beach' game. Gorongosa game reserve has all the potential to be a genuine alternative to the Kruger and Serengeti national parks, and when the luxury lodges open, we think this might be a perfect 'bush and beach' combination.


Sadly there continues to be unrest in the north, and Gorongosa, for the time being, so the prime attraction remains the 'beach' element, and particularly the immaculate beach lodges on the islands off the southern Mozambique coast, all of which we have visited and can strongly recommend for a luxury holiday.



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