Some of our Mozambique Holiday Ideas

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Our expertise in Mozambique

Derek Schuurman

I’d love to create your perfect destination experience to Mozambique . Give me a call and I’ll share my first-hand expertise so you get the most from your trip.

Nikki
Travel Specialist

Nikki's review

Mozambique is a beautiful beach destination offering a rustic bare-foot experience in a tropical setting. The warm Indian Ocean makes it the perfect place for swimming and chilling on the beach. The islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago offer some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world. The humpback whales migrate along the coast from July to November. As a beach destination, it's more affordable than the Seychelles and less built up and 'resorty' than Mauritius. The best time to visit is during the winter season when the temperatures are cooler, less humid and offer the least chance of rain (June to October), although August has been known to be windy!

Nikki's Top Tips

  1. Combine a beach stay in Mozambique with a safari in the Greater Kruger National Park
  2. Enjoy an excursion on a traditional dhow at sunset or to a neighbouring island
  3. It's also a destination for the history buffs and culture vultures, with Portuguese and traditional colonial influences clear

Best Time To Visit Mozambique

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Quick Country Facts

Time Zone:GMT +2 hours

Capital:Maputo

Currency:Mozambican metical

Why Choose a Tailor-Made Mozambique Holiday?

A holiday to Mozambique introduces you to a kind of barefoot adventure that has become increasingly rare. Calm beaches, island channels and wide stretches of undeveloped coast sit alongside inland reserves where wildlife is returning through long-term restoration. The country often feels like two distinct regions, the south with its sweeping beaches and accessible marine areas, and the north with quieter shores and stronger reef systems.

A tailor-made holiday helps you choose the regions that align with the way you want to travel. You could spend time along the southern coastline, where broad beaches and calm water suit snorkelling and relaxed coastal days, or look to the north for island shores reached by small boats and access to monitored reef sites such as those near Vamizi. Inland stays may appeal if you’re drawn to wildlife viewing in restored parks, while time in coastal cities such as Maputo or Ilha de Moçambique introduces architecture and local markets linked to the region’s trading past.

Seasonal patterns also influence many aspects of your holiday to Mozambique. Reef clarity changes with coastal conditions, wildlife sightings improve as vegetation becomes less dense, and certain islands become particularly rewarding during turtle nesting months. Our Travel Specialists draw on first-hand experience of these variations to guide you towards the locations that work best for the time of year you decide to travel.

Our team has spent years on the ground across Mozambique, getting to know its islands, coastlines and inland parks in detail. The long-standing relationships we’ve built with guides, lodge hosts and community partners mean your holiday is planned with insight from people who understand these areas day by day. Their knowledge helps you avoid the guesswork, travel at the right time for what you want to include, and follow routes that bring out the best of each region.

Derek Schuurman

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Each journey we create in Mozambique is designed around the environments you want to explore and the level of insight you’d like to gain. Our Travel Specialists draw on first-hand knowledge of these coastal waters, inland wildlife areas and community-led projects to introduce you to the details that define each region.

Safari Depth & Coastal Tranquillity

Our Kruger Safari & Mozambique Beach Classic sample itinerary begins in the Sabi Sand Reserve, known for big-cat sightings, rich birdlife and skilled trackers who read the landscape with accuracy. Morning and late-afternoon drives give you a clear view of wildlife activity across open terrain, while guided walks offer insight into smaller signs of animal presence. The journey then moves to southern Mozambique, where sandy beaches, warm shallows and nearby reefs create excellent conditions for diving, snorkelling and observing marine life. Opportunities to see dolphins are possible at certain times of year, and lodge teams help you to arrange activities that follow local conservation guidelines.

Remote Waterways, Wildlife & Secluded Beaches

Our paired Botswana & Mozambique Escape links the inland waterways of the Okavango Delta with the wide, tide-shaped beaches of Mozambique’s coastline. In the Delta, you travel through narrow channels by mokoro and walk with specialist guides who explain seasonal water levels, wildlife behaviour and the smaller signs that indicate movement across the floodplains.

The coastal stage takes place on a secluded stretch of shoreline selected for privacy and its access to healthy reefs. Days may include snorkelling in sheltered bays, observing marine life across shallow coral formations or spending time along stretches of sand with few properties in sight. 

Islands, Culture & Marine Exploration

Our suggested Masai Mara Safari & Mozambique route begins on Kenya’s wildlife-rich plains before continuing to the cultural and marine environments of northern Mozambique. After time in the Mara, where guides help you find lions, cheetahs and grazing herds across open savannah, the journey continues to the island shores near Ilha de Moçambique. Historic streets, Swahili-Portuguese architecture and short dhow journeys introduce the area’s heritage and nearby islands.

Offshore, protected reefs create excellent conditions for observing marine life, with specialists guiding snorkelling trips and short excursions over shallow coral gardens. Clear lagoons and tidal channels provide gentle entry points into the region’s ecosystems, making this itinerary well suited if you want to experience both wildlife viewing and cultural time on the coast.

High-End Wildlife Encounters & Lagoon Coast Retreats

The Zululand Safari & Mozambique example tour begins in a South African reserve known for Big Five sightings and skilled rangers who track wildlife across diverse terrain. Morning drives, rhino-focused outings and guided walks give you detailed insight into the behaviour and ecology of the area.

The coastal stage unfolds on Mozambique’s southern lagoon shores, where properties emphasise privacy and access to calm, protected water. Days here can include horseback riding along the beach, time in spa settings inspired by regional practices or observing dolphins with marine teams that follow responsible viewing standards. 

Mozambique’s regions vary widely, from untouched stretches of Indian Ocean coastline to reefs alive with tropical marine life and inland reserves where wildlife is steadily increasing. These differences influence how you travel between regions, from the far-northern reef systems to inland wetlands, woodlands and national parks.

Our Travel Specialists use first-hand knowledge of tides, visibility, wildlife movements and cultural areas to recommend locations that suit the activities you want to include.

Bazaruto Archipelago

The Bazaruto Archipelago is known for clear waters, shifting sandbanks and coral habitats that support an impressive range of marine life. Dugongs, rays and reef fish are often seen in the protected channels around the islands, and the tidal shallows attract flamingos that feed along the flats.

Lodges are positioned near calm bays and tidal shallows, giving you easy access to guided snorkelling, dhow trips and reef exploration directly from the shoreline.

Quirimbas Archipelago

In the far north, the Quirimbas Archipelago presents a more remote experience across coral islands, mangrove channels and tidal flats. Dhow journeys take you past islands influenced by fishing communities and centuries of coastal trade.

Offshore reefs support thriving marine ecosystems, while nearby Ibo Island shows clear Swahili and Portuguese architectural heritage. The region suits you if you’re looking for quieter islands with strong cultural interest.

The Lagoon Coast

Mozambique’s southern lagoon coast is defined by warm shallows, calm bays and long beaches where turtles nest between October and February. The gentler water conditions suit families and anyone who prefers low-impact coastal days.

Lodges here give you access to clear, shallow snorkelling sites, wide stretches of sand and opportunities for horseback riding or guided coastal walks that highlight changes in the shoreline environment.

Gorongosa National Park

Gorongosa stands as one of Africa’s most significant restoration success stories, with wildlife returning through extensive rewilding and community involvement. You can explore woodlands, open floodplains and seasonal wetlands that now support elephants, antelope species and an increasing predator presence.

Birdlife is particularly strong here, and guides often share insight from active research projects happening within the park. Gorongosa is a rewarding choice if you’re interested in seeing how restored ecosystems function and how local communities are involved in their protection.

Niassa National Reserve

Niassa is one of Mozambique’s most remote wildlife reserves, defined by open terrain, limited development and a strong focus on community-led conservation. Wildlife sightings may include lions, wild dogs and other species that depend on broad, undisturbed habitats.

Guided walks and drives take you through woodlands, rocky outcrops and river corridors that support diverse birdlife. If you’re looking for time in a protected wilderness with an emphasis on ecological integrity, Niassa gives you the chance to experience nature with very little human footprint.

Mozambique is a year-round destination, but the experience shifts with seasonal changes in rainfall, visibility and wildlife movement.

From May to October, days are cooler and rainfall is low, creating reliable conditions for time on the coast. Sea visibility tends to be at its strongest, allowing clear views of marine life, and inland wildlife areas such as Gorongosa and Niassa are easier to explore as vegetation becomes more sparse.

Between November and April, warmer temperatures and intermittent rain create more vibrant conditions in the north, drawing species such as whale sharks and manta rays closer to the Bazaruto Archipelago and parts of the Quirimbas. Reef colours often appear brightest at this time, though inland routes can be affected by heavier rainfall.

When planning your holiday to Mozambique, our Travel Specialists will recommend regions and activities that suit the season, taking into account changes in sea clarity, rainfall and wildlife movement.

Every holiday we design in Mozambique begins with what you want to experience most, time on quiet islands, days in wildlife reserves or routes that include cultural areas along the coast. Our Travel Specialists use first-hand knowledge of the country’s marine environments, inland habitats and heritage sites to recommend locations that suit your interests and preferred pace.

We work closely with conservation partners, local guides and lodge teams who understand their environments in detail. This helps us select properties, timings and activities that bring clarity around seasonal changes and support the communities who protect these landscapes.

Your tailor-made Mozambique holiday is planned with care from the first conversation to your return home, giving you the freedom to explore shorelines, islands and restored parks with guidance from people who know these regions well.

Mozambique Holiday types

Whether you want to explore the natural world with the whole family or encounter rare species with just a few other travellers, choose the tailor-made itinerary that’s right for you.

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts

  • We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
  • Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
  • We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

  • You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
  • We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
  • Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

  • We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
  • For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
  • We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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