Mozambique

The Republic of Mozambique (Portuguese: Moçambique or República de Moçambique, is a country in Southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east,Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest.  It is separated from Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel to the east.  The capital and largest city is Maputo, otherwise known as “Lourenço Marques” before the independence.

UNSPOILT BEACHES & ISLANDS OF PARADISE

Mozmbique is divided into two regions by the ‘Mighty Zambezi’ river, namely the northern and southern parts.

Vilanculos Resorts (lying in the Vilanculos District of Inhambane Province and the gateway to the archipelago) – International Airport

Dugong Beach Lodge – Vilanculos

Vila do Paraiso – Self Catering

Villa Santorini

Island & Beach Resorts –

Ibo Island Lodge – Quirimbas Archipelago (Pemba Airport) Ibo Island Packages

Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago (Vilanculos International Airport)

Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort and Spa (Vilanculos International Airport) Eight Day Package

Pestana Bazaruto Lodge (Vilanculos International Airport)

Medjumbe Island Resort – Quirimbas Archipelago (Matemo or Pemba Airport)

Vamizi Island Lodge (Pemba Airport)

Azura Quilalea Private Island (Pemba Airport)

Pestana Inhaca Lodge (local airstrip – 10 minutes flight from Maputo)

The Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of six islands in Mozambique, near the mainland city of Vilankulo. It comprises the islands of Bazaruto,Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island) and Shell. Nyati Island is further south.

Bazaruto Island is the largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, which is situated North of Maputo. Vilankulo, on the mainland is the nearest International Airport with flights from Johannesburg – either direct, or via Maputo or Inhambane.

Benguerra Island in Mozambique is the second largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

The Quirimbas Islands consists of about 32 islands, including Ibo, Matemo, Medjumbe, Quirimba, Metundo, Quisiva, Vamizi Island and Rolas Island.  The Quirimbas Islands are currently on the tentative list for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was submitted in 2008.

Vamizi Island is part of the Quirimbas Archipelago.

Inhambane Lodges– Southern Mozambique –

Barra Beach Club (Inhambane International Airport) Flights from Lanseria Direct or from Maputo, or OR Tambo.

Massinga Beach (Inhambane International Airport) + 2 hour Road Transfer. Flights from Lanseria Direct or from Maputo, or OR Tambo.

Flamingo Bay Water Lodge (Inhambane International Airport) Flights from Lanseria Direct or from Maputo, or OR Tambo.

Pempa – Northern Province (+/- 470 km from Maputo)

Pemba Beach Hotel

Maputo Hotels – International Airport

Rovuma Hotel (Mavalane International Airport)

Radisson Blu Maputo (Mavalane International Airport)

Wilderness –

Lake Niassa, bordering Malawi (Likoma Island Airport) – Baixo do Pinda Peninsula, northern Mozambique (Napula or Pemba) – Govuro River near Inhassoro, north of Inhambane (130 km north of Vilanculos) – Pomene Bay Mangrove Estuary (in the Inhambane Province)

CLIMATE

Mozambique has a tropical to sub-tropical climate with high coastal temperatures for much of the year while the interior is warm to mild, even in the cooler, dry season from April to September.  From December to March is the hot, humid rainy season, in the south, with longer conditions further north, with the northern coast of Mozambique occasionally being affected by tropical cyclones.

HISTORY

Bantu speakers migrated to Mozambique in the first millennium, followed by Arab and Swahili traders settling in the region.  It was explored by Vasco da Gama (on his way to India) in 1498 and first colonized by Portugal in 1505. By 1510, the Portuguese had control of all of the former Arab sultanates on the east African coast, exporting gold from Mozambique.  By the late 17th century ivory had replaced gold as the main export while, some 50 years later, slavery became its major commodity.

Guerrilla activity began in 1963, and became so effective by 1973 that Portugal was forced to dispatch 40,000 troops to fight the rebels. A cease-fire was signed in Sept. 1974, and after having been under Portuguese colonial rule for 470 years, Mozambique became independent on June 25, 1975.

A 17-year-long civil war was eventually resolved in 1992. Multi-party elections were then held in October 1994 with Frelimo emerging as victors, joining the Commonwealth in 1995.  Mozambique is now building its stability by promoting foreign investment and tourism alike.