Speak Shangaan Good day: Absheni How are you? Minjani? I am fine: Nikhona How much is that? Imalumuni? What is your name? Imani bito rawena? Thank you: Nakhensa
Mozambique is a cultural melting pot, with influences ranging fro North African and Arab to Portuguese, and a vibrant society with much to offer from superb seafood to the ultimate scuba diving experience.
Mozambique offers a fascinating blend of culture, ranging from the early Bantu-speaking North African tribal inhabitants to the Arab traders and Portuguese colonialists who ruled until independence was gained in 1975. The architectural styles reflect this diverse history, from Manueline to gaudy 1930's-inspired Art Deco.
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Tailor-made Mozambique
holidays
17 Nights Feat. Namibia and Mozambique
A tour of opposites! Fall in love with Namibia's offerings - from the mystique of the Skeleton Coast to the awe-inspiring Estosha salt pan.
Bush & Beach - 8 nights featuring Private Game Lodge & Mozambique
Bush & Beach - 8 nights featuring a luxury holiday in a South African game lodge & Mozambique - from £3,855.00 per person sharing, including scheduled charter travel in South Africa, but excluding any international flights
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Mozambique
Accommodation
Luxury
Hotels
Pemba Beach Hotel Situated on one of the world's largest natural deepwater harbours in the far northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, the Pemba Beach Hotel is aesthetically unique, with Arabian-influenced architecture.>>
Indigo Bay Island Resort Just two hours by air from Johannesburg, the diverse eco-system of the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique is an island paradise. A veritable Eden, it caters to a wide range of tastes and interests.>>
Hotel Polana The five-star Hotel Polana, located on the Bay of Maputo, epitomises the luxury and hospitality of a time gone by and assures guests of an extraordinary experience.>>
Quality
Hotels
Benguerra Lodge Along the historical Moçambique channel lies tropical Ilha de Benguerra an island paradise - and perfect for the ultimate beach holiday. Here too lies beautiful Benguerra Lodge.>>
Ibo Island Lodge Situated on a prime waterfront site on Ibo Island, one of 32 islands in the unspoilt Quirimbas Archipelago, Ibo Island Lodge encompasses three century-old mansions, each with lofty ceilings and walls at least a metre thick. >>
Holiday Inn Maputo This hotel is a haven for both business and leisure travelers and is just 7 km from Maputo International Airport. It is magnificently situated right on the beachfront (on the Avenida da Marginal). >>
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about Mozambique
Mozambique's true treasure, though, is the stunning variety of coastal, riverine, mountain and forest environments, home to a splendid array of flora and fauna interspersed with traditional villages, and of course its coral fringed coastline with translucent tropical waters offering unrivalled scuba diving.
Mozambique borders on South Africa and Swaziland to the south, Zimbabwe to the west, Malawi and Tanzania to the north. Most of the tourist attractions are located along the southern coastline or are tucked away on islands such as those found in the unique Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos.
As many as 17 ethnic languages are spoken in Mozambique, with Shangaan, Shona, Makua and Swahili dominating. Portuguese, however, is the country's official language and is still the everyday language used in commerce. Apart from the staff at upmarket resorts and lodges, English is not widely understood, and a few Shangaan phrases will elicit many smiles.
The cuisine of Mozambique centres around seafood with delectable gamefish, calamari and shellfish taking pride of place - most notably prawns, usually served with a piri-piri sauce. Cashew nuts, pineapples, papaya and coconuts are also widely used, with coconut water distilled into a lethar liquor called sura, only to be drunk by the more adventurous.
Mozambique is a unique mix of cultural practices and although geographically it is part of Southern Africa, the country's historical and cultural heritage is more closely related to Muslim North Africa. The local population has a lively Latin outlook on life, with music ranging from samba and salsa to Afro-Caribbean. Culturally, Mozambique resembles a mix of Brazil, India, Arabia, and Africa and although desperately poor, by Western standards, the people are proud, courteous and very mindful of etiquette.
Two major factors influence the climate of Mozambique - the warm Indian Ocean current flowing south from the equator and the altitude of the Mozambique Plateau. Temperatures at the coast increase as one moves north. The highest rainfall takes place from November to April, and August is the driest month. Although the recent devastation of Mozambique's wildlife is unprecedented in Africa, programmes to re-introduce species endemic to the area are now gathering momentum. Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, roan and sable already exist, albeit in small and threatened numbers. Wildlife tourism in Mozambique will increase through conservation initiatives such as peace parks, the first of which is the Kruger Park / Banhine / Coutada Transfrontier Reserve, currently being developed. Mozambique's birdlife is exceptional, with more than 900 species recorded south of the Zambezi River.
More than 1 200 species of fish have been identified in the coastal waters of Mozambique, most of which inhabit the extensive coral reefs lining the coast, particularly in the area of Inhambane and the Bazaruto Archipelago, and along the Quirimbas Archipelago in the far north. Kingfish, mackerel and tuna - popular catches for the locals - are attracted to the nourishment provided by the reefs and their inhabitants. In terms of marine diversity, Mozambique's reefs are on a par with the Great Barrier Reef, but owing to the late advent of tourism due to years of civil unrest, Mozambique remains unspoilt marine wilderness by comparison.
The sub-tropical capital city of Maputo, less than 100km from neighbouring South Africa, lies in a beautiful sheltered bay and feels more Latin American that African with its sidewalk cafes and dozens of nightclubs swinging to samba rhythms until dawn. Popular attractions include the Catembe ferry offering wonderful views of the Maputo skyline, the Mercado Xipamanine, a notorious and exotic market where you really can buy anything, and the Feira Popular, a complex with more than 30 pubs, restaurants and nightclubs.
Africa's version of the famed Galapagos Islands, the Bazaruto Archipelago and surrounding marine environment, is a complex and unique ecosystem, well protected by its isolation. This national park harbours one of the last viable dugong populations along the East African coast, and contains some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. The five islands of the archipelago - Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina (or Paradise Island) and Bangue - all have their own charm and character. Wildlife ranges from migrant bird species, frigate birds and falcons, to crocodiles in the inland lakes, antelope, rodents, lizards and snakes. The area is also the breeding ground of five species of turtle and offers some of the best scuba diving at Two Mile Reef and other nearby locations. Accessibility to the archipelago is via the international airport at Vilanculos, which offers daily flights to and from Johannesburg as well as connections onto Pemba and Maputo.
Pemba, locally known as the 'papaya paradise', is typical of many of Africa's original colonial towns. Pemba Bay, reputed to be the world's largest inland bay, is a beautiful blue expanse of water with an area of 37km2 and a uniform depth of 24km. This town is also the gateway to Ibo Island and the Quirimbas Archipelago, which stretches some 250km north. Ibo Island offers some magnificent Arabic and Portuguese ruins, and the recently opened-up Quirimbas Archipelago is gaining wide repute for its spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving.
South Africa's peaceful political transformation, the efforts of the United Nations and a Mozambican population tired of violence all contributed to the successful and peaceful 1994 elections. Friendly people determined to progress, sound fiscal governance and an exciting natural environment all indicate that Mozambique can look forward to a very positive future.
SOUTHERN AFRICA TRAVEL The Oak Suite, Guardian House,
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Many thanks and credit to the following
photographers whose images have been used in this site: Michael Poliza, Colin
Bell, Dana Allen, David Ross, Nick Melidonas and Wilderness Safaris.
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