Mozambique

Mozambique is famous for its pristine beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. With its close proximity to world-class parks and game reserves in neighboring countries in Southern Africa, it is a less traveled wildlife safari destination.

The Bazaruto National Park was inaugurated in 1971 and consists of an archipelago of five islands off the Mozambican coast between the towns Vilankulo and Inhassoro. The park was created to protect dugong and marine turtles, and their habitats, the islands' flora and fauna, coral reefs and marine birds. The largest island of the archipelago is Bazaruto Island, followed by Benguerra, Margaruque, Santa Carolina (Paradise Island), and Banque. The islands have a lush tropical climate and include huge dunes, forest and savannah, inland lakes and wetlands. There are over 240 varieties of birds found on the islands.

Bazaruto Archipelago National Park is home to the last-known viable dugong population on the eastern coast of Africa. The dugong was listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ in 2022, giving the species the highest level of global protection.

The rich variety of marine life includes marine turtles, six species of dolphins, marlins and barracudas. The open ocean has superpods of dolphins and humpback whales in the winter months, and whale sharks visit the area between October and April. There are over 2,000 species of fish and 500 mollusc species. All five regional turtle species nest here, making it the only known place in the western Indian Ocean where this happens.

The coral reefs are varied and said to be the least disturbed in this part of the Indian Ocean. Two Mile Reef specifically is a barrier reef protecting a narrow channel between the southern high sand dunes of Bazaruto Island and the white beaches on the northern side of Benguera Island. Two Mile Reef is renowned for its world-class snorkeling experience, teeming with colorful fish, and live corals creating a vibrant underwater landscape.

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The climate is tropical with a hot, rainy season from December to March and a dry season from May to November.

 

During winter, from May to August, the south-east trade winds bring pleasant and sunny weather. Cool air masses can arrive from South Africa, bringing a bit of cold at night. From June to October temperatures start to increase slightly with little to no rain.

 

The summer, from December to March, is rainy, and it is hot and humid at sea level. The rains occur primarily in the form of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Mozambique experiences cyclones during its rainy season.

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