Mozambique is the wild, untouched alternative for a beach finish — remote island archipelagos, world-class diving and snorkeling, and barefoot-luxury lodges far from the crowds.
The Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos offer dugong, manta rays and pristine reefs, reached by short flight from a Southern Africa safari.
Highlights of Mozambique
Bazaruto Archipelago
Turquoise sandbanks, dugong and superb snorkeling.
Quirimbas Archipelago
Remote islands, historic Ibo and exclusive lodges.
Diving & marine life
Manta rays, whale sharks and untouched coral reefs.
Dhow sailing
Sunset sails on traditional hand-built dhows.
Recommended lodges & camps in Mozambique
Where you stay shapes your whole safari. These are properties we know personally and return to again and again — chosen for their location, their guiding and the way they make you feel. Tell us which appeal and we'll build your journey around them.
These are a few of our favorites — we work with many more across every price point. Have a specific lodge in mind? Tell us in your enquiry and we'll secure it.
Know before you go
The practical details we handle for you — flights, entry, health and money — summarized here so nothing surprises you. Requirements can change, so we confirm everything when you book.
Getting there from the USA
Fly via Johannesburg to Vilanculos (for Bazaruto) or Pemba (for the Quirimbas) — each about 90 minutes from Joburg, then a helicopter or boat to your island.
Visas & entry
US tourists are visa-exempt for stays up to 30 days. Have your passport, onward ticket and lodge booking handy at immigration.
Health
Malaria is present year-round — prophylaxis is recommended, even on the islands.
Money & tipping
The metical is local currency, but island lodges bill in USD and take cards. Tipping is at your discretion — most guests allow about $20–25 per person per day.
What to do in Mozambique
The wild Indian Ocean — archipelagos most travelers have never heard of, and will never forget.
Sail the Bazaruto Archipelago
Dhow safaris over seagrass flats where dugong still graze — snorkeling Two Mile Reef, sandbank lunches, nothing else on the horizon.
Bazaruto Archipelago
May–Nov
Dive the Quirimbas
Remote northern islands with drop-offs, turtles and reef sharks — and lodges reached by helicopter over impossibly blue channels.
Quirimbas Archipelago
May–Nov visibility
Deep-sea and fly fishing
Black marlin, sailfish and giant trevally off Bazaruto — some of the finest saltwater fishing in the Indian Ocean, catch-and-release led.
Off Bazaruto
Marlin Oct–Jan; GT year-round
Ibo Island’s living history
A crumbling Portuguese-Arab trading town where silversmiths still work in the old fort — a cultural day unlike anything else on this coast.
Ibo Island
Dry season, May–Nov
Best time to visit
Dry season — calm seas and the best diving conditions.
Peak whale-shark and manta season in the Bazaruto.
In the rainy months many of these same camps drop their rates by 20–40% — emerald landscapes, newborn wildlife, superb birding and far fewer vehicles. Peak season isn't the only great season: tell us your budget and we'll show you what the green season buys.
Planning & cost
Fully tailor-made — priced privately to your camps, season and travel style. No fixed packages.
Fly via Johannesburg or Vilanculos (VNX) to the island lodges. US tourists are visa-exempt for stays up to 30 days — carry your passport, onward ticket and lodge confirmation for immigration.
Every journey is private and tailor-made — your own guide and vehicle, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout.
Everything else,
answered before you ask
The practical details that apply to every safari we plan — so this page is the only one you need.
Money & tipping
US dollars are accepted at virtually every camp, and cards work at lodges and city hotels. Your trip is fully inclusive, so cash is mainly for tips: plan on roughly $10–20 per guest per day for your guide and $10–15 for camp staff, handed over at the end of each stay. We send exact guidance with your final documents.
Health & safety
See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for routine shots and malaria advice (most safari regions require prophylaxis; parts of South Africa are malaria-free). Camps are remote but professionally run, with radio contact and evacuation cover — we require travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation.
Staying connected
Nearly all lodges have Wi-Fi in the main areas (often in-tent too), and an eSIM from your US carrier covers the cities. Expect to be offline on game drives — most guests come to see that as the point. Family back home can always reach you through us, day or night.
What to pack
Soft duffel bags only (light aircraft cap luggage around 33 lb / 15 kg), neutral-colored layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons, and binoculars. Laundry is included at almost every camp, so pack for 4–5 days no matter the trip length.
Full packing list →Continue exploring
Beach Holidays
An African beach holiday — barefoot-luxury island escapes to follow your safari.
Explore → Southern AfricaSouth Africa
A South Africa safari pairs Big Five private reserves with Cape Town and the Winelands.
Explore → Beaches & IslandsZanzibar
A Zanzibar holiday layers spice-island history, Stone Town and dreamy Indian Ocean beaches.
Explore → RegionBeaches & Islands
Where a safari finishes — Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Mauritius and the Mozambique coast.
Explore →Mozambique FAQs
Getting to Mozambique — flights, visas and health
Current at the time of writing. We re-confirm every requirement for your exact routing before you travel — and we will tell you what to apply for, and when.
Let's design your Mozambique journey.
Tell us how you like to travel and our experts will craft your private, tailor-made itinerary — no obligation.
Enquire now