The first time I travelled to Mozambique I had no idea what to expect of the country. I had just returned to South Africa from a trip to East Africa and was still reminiscing over the beaches of Zanzibar, the chilled vibe at Lake Malawi and the spectacular wildlife of the Serengeti. I had no time left anymore to prepare my trip to Mozambique and decided to just enjoy what this amazing African country has to offer, one day at a time.

What I experienced was stunning white beaches, deep blue water and spectacular underwater marine life combined with a multicultural relaxed atmosphere and a very rich history. The cultural mix of Portuguese and African influences is very visible in almost everything; the architecture, the people, the music and definitely the food.  I can surely say that the beautiful surroundings and great vibes makes one nearly forget the country’s troublesome past.

Mozambique has a long coastline, a bit longer than the 60km Belgian has, 2500 km (or 1550 miles) of unspoilt pristine white beaches and a handful of enchanting islands off the coast in the Indian ocean, one more inspiring than the other. What makes Mozambique so unique is that it is still an ‘off the beaten track’ tourist destination and is still largely unspoilt and untamed. This makes Mozambique for me a highly attractive tourist destination. The majority of the tourists visit only the southern part of Mozambique. Not many make it all the way to the north, where the infrastructure, in particular the roads, is still under development. 

Both Sean and myself have visited the southern part multiple times, and have travelled as far as Vilanculos and the Bazaruto Archipelago. With this selection of photos of the various trips we took, I would like to inspire everyone to visit Mozambique in Africa.

25 Photos to inspire you to visit Mozambique

Where is Mozambique located

Mozambique is located on the south-eastern part of the African continent and has borders with South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. The entire eastern side of Mozambique borders with the warm waters of the Indian ocean. The Tropic of Capricorn, which is the southern most latitude at which the sun can be directly overhead, passes through the southern part of Mozambique. The location of the Tropic of Capricorn is indicated with a sign.

Why you should visit Mozambique at least once in a lifetime

The beaches in Mozambique

With a coast line stretching over 2500 kilometres, Mozambique is home to some of the worlds most beautiful beaches. The glistening turquoise waters of the Indian ocean and white sandy beaches are a major attraction for every traveller to the country. The most popular beaches to visit are the beaches of the various islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Vilankulus, the beaches of Tofo and of the capital Maputo.

Read also: The most beautiful beaches in South Africa you need to visit

The Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique

The idyllic islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago are probably the biggest drawcard for tourists to visit Mozambique. Seemingly endless white beaches, pristine blue waters, spectacular coral reefs and diverse marine and bird life make this area a true paradise on Earth. The archipelago consists of five islands; Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue, each one more idyllic than the other. For me, the Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the 7 natural wonders of Southern Africa, and definitely any photographers’ dream.

Mozambique has a rich and diverse marine life

Mozambique is a great place for snorkelling and scuba diving in order to observe the rich and very diverse marine life. Some of the highlights that can be seen are whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, manta rays, whale sharks, jellyfish and a wide variety of colourful fish.

Mozambique has some of the most spectacular African sunsets and sunrises

Due to the position of the country, the sun rises over the Indian Ocean, so it’s well worth it to get up early and to go to the beach where you will see some of the most spectacular African sunrises and beautiful colours. But not only the early mornings are worthwhile, also seeing the African sunset is unforgettable.

Vibrant cultural mix and atmosphere in Mozambique

Mozambique has a vibrant mix of African, Portuguese and Arab influences in its cultural heritage and history which is clearly visible in its architecture, cuisine and people.

One of the areas of Mozambique we have yet to visit is the northern region of the country. Places like Pemba, Quirimbas Islands, Ibo, lake Niassa and of course Ilha de Mozambique, which used to be the capital for nearly four centuries. We would love to visit the historical legacies, the idyllic beaches, discover the marine life and all the other unique things to do. It is high on our bucket list.

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