Summary

A former Portuguese colony, Mozambique is renowned for the magnificence of its white sand and pristine beaches which edge the Indian Ocean.

A true Robinson Crusoe hideaway, it is the ideal holiday combination with a safari. Hedonists will simply enjoy soaking up the sun on the beaches while the more active will snorkel or dive – indeed head for the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park for some of the best snorkelling and diving. It is also the ideal place for big game fishing, whilst the Quirimbas Archipelago in the north of the country now boasts some of the world’s finest island hideaways. For a different perspective on the country head for the Lugenda Wildlife Reserve, a vast untouched expanse bursting with wildlife, while those looking for fun should explore Maputo and Pemba. Maputo is a great mix of European architecture  with all the vividness of Africa, with its wide boulevards, colourful markets, pavement cafes and  vibrant nightlife, whilst Pemba is a slightly raffish coastal town with some good cafes, bars and markets. The almost-deserted Ibo Island is also fascinating, conjuring images of Zanzibar’s Stone Town or Kenya’s Lamu.