100% customisable travel idea
Journey up the Mozambique Coast Captivating Africa, all to yourself
Mozambique - Maputo - Xai-Xai - Inhambane - Tofo - Vilanculos
100% customisable travel idea
Mozambique - Maputo - Xai-Xai - Inhambane - Tofo - Vilanculos
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
You’ll be greeted by our representative, who will assist with airport formalities. Stay one night in a quiet neighbourhood. Your hotel is modern, in an international style with neat, simple rooms that are well-equipped and comfortable with good bedding. The wooden floor, wooden furniture, and natural tones create a relaxing atmosphere. You’ll have access to an exclusive outdoor area and a beautiful swimming pool in the garden. Breakfast is served on site. The accomodation’s location is handy for the beach.
Already included - Maputo Like a Local. Your local guide has lived many years in Africa and knows the capital of Mozambique like the back of their hand. So, you will be in safe hands. The aim of the day is to satisfy your curiosity about Maputo by encountering the city and its residents in a way that meets your expectations. Therefore, there is no set itinerary, besides a preliminary discussion to freely outline an action plan. And off you go!
Meet your driver and transfer to the shores of Lagoa Inhampavala, on the coast a little north of Xai-Xai. Two-night stay in a lodge that fits naturally into the lakeside and forest landscape. The ten tented bungalows, set on raised platforms, overlook the lake. As do the shared areas. The bungalows are exceptionally comfortable and offer an understated elegance. Each has a bedroom, a sitting area, a shaded veranda and a bathroom. The shared areas have a contemporary feel - clean and functional. The restaurant serves top-quality international cuisine. In the garden, two swimming pools await guests: one for adults, the other for children. From the property’s private ocean beach, guests can enjoy a range of water sports, including sea kayaking, kitesurfing and snorkelling. Or lake side: canoeing, boat trips, stand-up paddleboarding. And there’s a billiard table at the house. And a spa. Treatments, massages and a jacuzzi are available to guests.
So you alternate between the lagoon side and the ocean side. From June to October, right whales and humpback whales put on a show at the surface. Their powerful breaches — some of the most thunderous performances in the animal kingdom — are truly unforgettable. Yet nature here is not only about grand scale. Diving or snorkelling lets you marvel at the colourful, shimmering world of the reefs. The variety of shapes and colours seems endless. On the lagoon, the atmosphere is more chilled. Although there is some wildlife activity. Birds gather along the tree-lined banks, treating the lake as a dependable pantry. During walks in the dunes, you reconnect with an African coastline that is unspoilt and peaceful. The eternal coastline.
Transfer to Inhambane. Two-night stay south of Lake Dongane. Spread across a wooded hillside, the cone-roofed bungalows act as lookout points. Ahead lies the ocean. The vegetation is dense around the neatly thatched roofs of the rooms. Every detail of the property is meticulously maintained. Inside, wood defines the décor, creating a charming setting. The bedding is soft. The open-air bathroom blends perfectly with the surroundings. Each bungalow has its own deck. From here, you have the waves all to yourself. Franco-Mozambican cuisine is based on three local ingredients: lobster, aubergines and passion fruit. Meals vary, of course, but these three staples are never far from the plate. Pineapple roasted with dune honey is a delicacy not to be missed.
The very names of some of the birds found nearby evoke the brilliance of the local birdlife: splendid turaco, golden-breasted jacana, yellow-rumped tinkerbird and four-coloured bushshrike. Of course, you can follow a guide. Or you can hike on your own, making the most of the 25 km (16 miles) of well-maintained marked trails around the lodge. These paths wind through coastal landscapes and beneath the forest canopy. Of course, Manhame Beach and its golden sand are an obvious and easier goal - just a five-minute walk away. It's a beautiful expanse that feels both wild and welcoming. A touch of Mozambiquemagic, reminiscent of a Bob Dylan song: the sunny sky is aqua blue. The hotel provides bodyboards and a range of leisure equipment, and can also set up a shaded area for your comfort on the beach.
Transfer to Tofo, a little further north. Two-night stay on the beach. The guest house is right on the shore, protected by a lush garden. Tofo Beach is a cool place that recalls the simplicity of the 1970s - surfers, divers, and not much else. The large beach easily accommodates this like-minded crowd . If it’s space you’re after, this is the place. Your home away from home does not have many rooms. They are fresh and white, with touches of wood and plant fibre. Simple yet comfortable, the rooms are well-kept and filled with flowers. Breakfast is served on site. And it is the ideal way to start your day! For other meals, small restaurants along the sandy street serve freshly-caught fish and seafood (you may have seen the boats coming in).
Already planned - Tuba and whale shark. Off the coast of Tofo, you just need a mask, fins and snorkel to meet the aquatic Big Five - whale shark, manta ray, swordfish, dolphin and turtle. You're not guaranteed a sighting, but these animals frequent these areas and your guides know where to find them. They lead you with expertise, giving you the best chance of a sighting. And they manoeuvre carefully so as not to disturb the animals. The whale shark, gliding lazily through clouds of zooplankton, is a far gentler spectacle than the lightning-fast swordfish. Meanwhile, the rays put on a real underwater ballet. A biologist will accompany the excursion to provide detailed explanations. Their insights add precise context, enriching and complementing the thrill of an encounter.
Transfer to Vilanculos. Two-night stay on the main beach. Your guest-house is simple and full of charm. The grounds consist of a garden and swimming pool. Sometimes, a touch of laziness keeps guests from making the trek down to the sand. And then, there's the tide to consider. The rooms are bright, well equipped and comfortable. They enjoy natural ventilation. The shared areas reflect the same thoughtful design as the rest of the property. The house invites you to enjoy snorkelling, kitesurfing, paddleboarding or sea kayaking. Afterwards, you can enjoy a soothing massage. Cockle risotto, green papaya salad, matapa (cassava with crab and prawns), and baobab cream tart will delight you on the dining table.
Already planned - A Mozambican cookery class. Zita first takes you to the market, deciding on the day’s menu as you look around the stalls. Markets are always an excellent way to discover a country. So will it be lobster, prawns, cassava, liponda or chicken? Spices? Would you like some fruit? Once the shopping is done, you head back and start cooking under the chef’s guidance. We put in the effort, as the meal you prepare depends entirely on the lesson’s results. The dish might include peri-peri prawns with rice, Zambezi-style chicken, crab curry with coconut milk, or bolo polana, with cashew nuts. Mozambique keeps pace with its has a strong culinary tradition. Once you have acquired this skill, you’ll carry a cherished memory home.
Optional - Paradise Island.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Maputo. Return flight with night on board, arrival the following day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
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