9 Days Best Mozambique Safari Holiday and Beach Tour

Your Mozambique Safari Holiday begins with an early morning pickup from Maputo, followed by a scenic 6-hour drive (approximately 350km) north to Gorongosa National Park, known locally as "Parque Nacional da Gorongosa." This remarkable Mozambique Safari Holiday destination represents one of Africa's greatest conservation success stories, where wildlife populations have recovered dramatically after years of restoration efforts. Upon arrival at your safari lodge, your Mozambique Safari Holiday experience commences with an afternoon orientation walk around the camp, offering your first glimpses of the park's diverse birdlife and smaller mammals before dinner under the African stars.

Dawn breaks on your Mozambique Safari Holiday with the haunting calls of fish eagles echoing across the floodplains of Gorongosa, which covers an area of 4,067 square kilometers in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Your morning Mozambique Safari Holiday adventure includes a comprehensive game drive through the park's diverse ecosystems, from miombo woodlands to palm-fringed lakes, where herds of waterbuck, impala, and the famous Gorongosa elephants congregate. After lunch at the lodge, your Mozambique Safari Holiday continues with a guided walking safari led by expert local guides who share their intimate knowledge of the park's flora, fauna, and ongoing conservation efforts that have made this reserve a model for African wildlife restoration.

Your Mozambique Safari Holiday exploration deepens today with an early morning boat cruise on Lake Urema, located in the park's southern section and covering approximately 200 square kilometers during flood season. This unique Mozambique Safari Holiday experience offers excellent opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles, and over 400 bird species, including the rare Pel's fishing owl and African skimmer that call this wetland ecosystem home. The afternoon portion of your Mozambique Safari Holiday features a visit to Mount Gorongosa, rising 1,863 meters above sea level, where you'll explore the cool montane forests and discover endemic plant species while enjoying panoramic views of the entire park ecosystem.

Today your Mozambique Safari Holiday transitions from terrestrial wildlife to marine wonders with a morning transfer to Vilanculos Airport, followed by a short 45-minute flight to the stunning Bazaruto Archipelago, located 25 kilometers off the coast. This exclusive Mozambique Safari Holiday destination encompasses five pristine islands surrounded by some of the most biodiverse coral reefs in the Western Indian Ocean, known locally as "Ilhas do Paraíso" (Paradise Islands). Upon arrival at your luxury beach lodge on Bazaruto Island, your Mozambique Safari Holiday experience continues with check-in, lunch, and an afternoon of relaxation on the pristine beaches where giant sand dunes meet turquoise waters in a landscape reminiscent of the Arabian Peninsula.

Your Mozambique Safari Holiday marine adventure begins with an early morning dhow cruise across the crystal-clear waters of Bazaruto Marine National Park, which protects 1,430 square kilometers of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and pristine beaches. This extraordinary Mozambique Safari Holiday experience includes snorkeling at Two Mile Reef, located approximately 7 kilometers from Bazaruto Island, where you'll encounter an underwater paradise teeming with tropical fish, rays, and if you're fortunate, the gentle dugongs that graze in these protected waters. Your afternoon Mozambique Safari Holiday activities feature a visit to the lighthouse on Bazaruto Island's highest point, offering spectacular 360-degree views of the archipelago, followed by beachcombing along the 37-kilometer coastline where shells and coral formations create natural art galleries.

Today's Mozambique Safari Holiday focuses on exploring the diverse marine ecosystems surrounding Magaruque Island, accessible by a 30-minute boat ride from your base on Bazaruto Island. Your morning Mozambique Safari Holiday adventure includes deep-sea fishing in the Mozambique Channel, where marlin, sailfish, and dorado provide exciting angling opportunities in waters that can exceed 2,000 meters in depth. The afternoon segment of your Mozambique Safari Holiday features a guided island walk on Magaruque, where you'll learn about traditional fishing communities and enjoy a beach barbecue prepared by local chefs using the freshest seafood, creating an authentic cultural experience that perfectly complements your marine adventures.

Your Mozambique Safari Holiday continues with a morning flight back to Vilanculos, followed by a scenic 2-hour drive (approximately 140km) south to Tofo Beach, renowned worldwide as one of the premier destinations for whale shark encounters. This thrilling phase of your Mozambique Safari Holiday brings you to waters where these gentle giants, measuring up to 12 meters in length, feed on plankton blooms that occur year-round due to the nutrient-rich Mozambique Current. Upon arrival at your beachfront accommodation in Tofo, known locally as "Praia do Tofo," your Mozambique Safari Holiday experience includes an afternoon briefing about whale shark behavior and snorkeling techniques, followed by sunset drinks overlooking the Indian Ocean where dolphins often play in the surf.

Your Mozambique Safari Holiday takes on a cultural dimension today with a morning transfer to the historic town of Inhambane, located just 22 kilometers from Tofo and renowned as one of the oldest settlements along Africa's east coast. This enriching Mozambique Safari Holiday experience includes a guided walking tour through Inhambane's colonial architecture, including the 200-year-old Cathedral and the bustling central market where local artisans sell traditional crafts and spices that reflect the town's rich Arabic, Portuguese, and African heritage. Your afternoon Mozambique Safari Holiday activities feature a traditional dhow sailing excursion in Inhambane Bay, where you'll witness local fishermen using time-honored techniques while enjoying fresh seafood prepared onboard, creating memories that capture the authentic spirit of Mozambican coastal culture.

The final day of your Mozambique Safari Holiday begins with a leisurely morning on Tofo Beach, offering last opportunities to spot whale sharks, manta rays, or simply relax on the pristine white sand that stretches for 7 kilometers along this protected coastline. Your concluding Mozambique Safari Holiday experience includes a farewell lunch at a beachfront restaurant before the 2-hour transfer back to Vilanculos Airport, where you'll reflect on nine days of diverse adventures across Mozambique's remarkable landscapes. As your unforgettable Mozambique Safari Holiday draws to a close, you'll carry home memories of close encounters with Africa's Big Five, swimming alongside whale sharks, and experiencing the warmth of Mozambican hospitality in one of the continent's most unspoiled destinations.