Mozambique

A Mozambique Holiday offers white palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs and an easy-going vibe.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

All year around

Overview

This ‘land of smiles’ is synonymous with long sandy beaches, warm tropical water, relaxed ambience and delicious Portuguese cuisine. With its white, palm-fringed beaches and coral reefs, the easy vibe of Mozambique appeals to all, especially honeymoon couples. It also offers the ultimate in ‘barefoot luxury’ beach retreats.

A Mozambique beach holiday offers an exotic mix of different cultures. Along with Tanzania and Kenya, Mozambique was an important staging post on the Arab trade routes. So it offers the same Swahili cultural and historical influences. But its period of Portuguese administration has meant that the country has a very different flavour from former British and German colonies. It’s more relaxed and unhurried!

Of course, the best-known asset of this country is its fabulous beaches. Top Mozambique holiday destinations include tropical island retreats on Bazaruto and Benguerra islands and the Quirimbas Archipelago. These provide luxurious and tranquil surroundings, with great diving and snorkelling. Whilst the mainland resorts near Inhambane, Vilanculos are also popular with keen divers. There is excellent diving all the way up the coast from White Pearl through to the Quirimbas.

Finally, sports fishing is also a big drawcard with many resorts offering deep sea fishing excursions to rival the best of the Indian Ocean islands.

Mozambique seafood

Features

Why you may love it

  • Long sandy beaches, warm tropical water, relaxed ambience and delicious Portuguese cuisine.
  • Beautiful coral reefs so great for diving and snorkeling.
  • There are daily flights from Johannesburg or thrice-weekly flights direct from the Kruger Park.
  • Sports fishing is a big draw-card, with deep sea fishing excursion on offer.

When to visit Mozambique

December to March

Hot and Rainy Summer season

As with all Southern African countries, Mozambique has a hot and rainy summer season from mid-November to early April. In summer, the north-west monsoon prevails in the north and central parts (Beira) whereas the trade winds prevail in the south. Rain is mainly in the form of showers and afternoon thunderstorms so there is still a reasonable amount of sunshine.
AVG RAINFALL 171 mm
MAX TEMP 31 ℃ / 88 ℉
MIN TEMP 23 ℃ / 74 ℉

April & May

Transitional period - Start of the dray season

This is a transitional period when the rain tapers off and the dry season starts. However, the daytime temperatures stay hot at 28-30C depending on whether you are in the south (lower) or north (higher).
AVG RAINFALL 75 mm
MAX TEMP 30 ℃ / 86 ℉
MIN TEMP 21 ℃ / 70 ℉

June to August

Dry Season in Mozambique

This is the dry season so the ideal time to combine a South African safari with some beach time. Northern temperatures remain remarkably even during the year. But the south does have cooler weather, especially at night-time.
AVG RAINFALL 28 mm
MAX TEMP 26 ℃ / 78 ℉
MIN TEMP 16 ℃ / 61 ℉

September to November

Seriously Hot

Temperatures rise steadily from mid-August onwards becoming seriously hot in October to November (max 31c with high humidity) just prior to the start of summer rains.
AVG RAINFALL 57 mm
MAX TEMP 29 ℃ / 85 ℉
MIN TEMP 21 ℃ / 69 ℉

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Accommodation

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Azura Benguerra Review

We stayed at Azura Benguerra for two short days and nights. On arrival we were allocated a private butler to tend to our every need, Mozambican style – ie not overly obsequious, but always around when you needed something. Azura Retreat is on a daylight saving programme which is one hour ahead of the other lodges on Benguerra Island and the rest of Mozambique. They decided to do this so that they could maximize the daylight hours. On the first evening sun downer drinks were offered to us on on our private deck.

The staff at Azura were very friendly, helpful and informative and the lodge has a really stunning beach setting.

Rooms have inside bath and shower, enclosed toilet, outside shower. The inside bath and shower look out onto the beach.
The food at Azura was excellent! Dinner was really nice - on the beach at candle light with little fires and lanterns all over the beach. Highly recommended if you have the budget!

Cedarberg : Gloria Darvall
 
Did you know
  • CoastMozambique has 2,470 kilometres of coastline
  • LanguageThe official language of Mozambique is Portuguese