Bazaruto Island

Thick forests of casuarinas, coconut palms and cashew nut trees grow on the shores of this island. It is the largest in the Bazaruto Archipelago, with towering dunes and large inland lakes frequented by many water birds and even crocodiles. No-one knows for sure how the creatures got here, but it’s thought they probably swam through the Mozambique Channel from the mainland. Until the early part of this century they had grunting hippos for company, but islanders have long since hunted these to extinction for their fatty flesh.

The island has a hundred-year-old lighthouse on the northern point, which serves as a signal to the many ships which pass by the channel up the east coast of Africa.

Pemba coastline

The Pemba coastline is a place where beach meets bush. Thick stands of baobabs rush to the emerald blue seas and the coastline is plied by hundreds of lateen-rigged dhows - reminders of a trading and fishing tradition inspired by the Arabs nearly 800 years ago. This is the centre of the Cabo Delgado Province, a place that has a wealth of forests, fishing and farming.

Pemba Bay, the third largest bay in the world is close to a number of breathtaking attractions. These include the beautifully untouched Quirimbas islands, consisting of 32 islands, including the historic Ibo Island

Vilanculos

Vilanculos is a stepping-stone to the 3 main islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago (Bazaruto, Benguerra and Magaruque) and truly the only way to discover Mozambique and its beautiful and untouched coastline.

It's only a small seaside town but tourism is well established. It has some beautiful beaches, a lively nightlife and excellent lodges. It is a busy, bustling town with a lively atmosphere and friendly people. There is a great market selling fresh produce and every kind of fish imaginable, plus a number of restaurants serving delicious seafood.