After a thrilling and eventful safari in Southern Africa, full of unforgettable wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes and vivid sunsets, but also bumpy roads and early starts, there’s nothing better than a few days to kick back on a beautiful Indian Ocean beach.
South Africa has absolutely stunning coastline, but for much of the year, (particularly in peak safari season) it is too cold for a beach extension.
Mauritius is an excellent choice, with direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town, beautiful beaches, rich culinary offerings and a huge choice of resorts to suit every style and budget. Though, if you’ve been there before, or are simply looking for something a bit different, you’ll need another option.
Mozambique’s Bazaruto archipelago offers warm turquoise waters, powder white sands, world class diving and snorkelling and some stunning accommodation options. The sand dunes and forests on the larger islands form a diverse eco-system in their own right, and in the ocean, on top of pristine coral reefs and abundant tropical marine life, rare species such as dugong, manta rays, whale sharks and turtles can often be seen.
Getting there
Flights to Vilankulo take around an hour from Johannesburg (versus five to Mauritius) and if you’ve finished the South Africa section of your holiday on Safari in the southern end of Kruger or Sabi Sands you can get a direct flight from there without having to route back to Johannesburg. A stark contrast from the often necessary overnight in Johannesburg to get the flights to connect to Mauritius.
When you land at Vilankulo airport, getting to your resort is an experience in itself. If you’re staying on the islands the road and boat transfers take around an hour. The shallow waters and drifting sandbanks create a striking tapestry of flowing blues, whites and turquoise, a great experience from the boat, but even more so if you opt for one of the most beautiful helicopter rides imaginable to the resort instead.
Where to stay
The mainland has a great selection of affordable 4 star options, but it’s on the islands where you’ll find the breathtaking scenery and most luxurious resorts. Here are a couple of our favourites:
The Anantara Bazaruto:
With only 44 luxury villas, this exclusive luxury beach resort offers world class dining, award winning spa and attentive service in an idyllic an intimate setting.
Beyond the beachside infinity pool and the picture-perfect beach there’s plenty to keep you busy. Snorkelling and diving are among the best in the world, with the first patches of reef and beautiful tropical marine life just off the beach. Venturing further afield on the resorts boat will take you to some of the most unspoilt reef in the world. If you’d rather stay dry, deep-sea fishing and whale watching trips are also a great option, and the adventurous could try their hand at dune boarding or horseback riding.
&Beyond Benguerra Island Resort:
The epitome of rustic luxury, this intimate resort on the ecologically diverse Benguerra island boasts just 13 luxury bungalows, all with a private outside deck, day bed and plunge-pool. The dining quality and attentive service are second to none, and include a butler to assist planning your excursions, spa treatments, meal times etc. and the enhanced all-inclusive here is perfect for those looking to stay active between beach time. The plan not only includes your meals and drinks, but non-motorised water sports, scuba diving (for certified divers), snorkelling excursions, a castaway picnic, Dhow cruise, horseback riding (and swimming), and village tours. Whale watching, deep sea fishing and island tours can also be booked at additional cost.
What else can you do in Mozambique?
Most people add the beaches of Mozambique onto the end of their South Africa holiday, the road network and other infrastructure just isn’t considered sufficiently developed for easy multi-stop tours within the country. But there are options for the truly intrepid traveller.
Here’s a brief list highlighting some of the possibilities in this hidden gem of a country:
Maputo
A much smaller city than Johannesburg or Cape Town with colonial architecture, a vibrant culture and an interesting history to explore.
Inhaca Island
Just a short boat transfer from Maputo, this idyllic island in a marine national park boasts fantastic coral reefs for snorkelling and diving, excellent whale watching and one of the best places in the world to snorkel with wild dolphins.
Gorongosa National Park
A truly pristine wilderness bursting with big game and tiny visitor numbers. There are currently only three lodges in the whole reserve, pretty sparse for an area half the size of Kruger.
So for a combination of game and reef with beaches and snorkelling to rival the Maldives, Mozambique may be the perfect destination.
Contact us today to tailor make your dream holiday to Africa - safari or beach or both - and you can do this by sending us an email: enquiries@tailoredjourneys.co.uk or by calling us on 01442617777/02081039000
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