About the Quirimbas - Northern Mozambique Coast
The idyllic islands that comprise the Quirimbas Archipelago stretch for 250 km along the northern Mozambican coastline, from the historic port of Pemba in the south to the town of Palma in the north.
With its 27 islands virtually untouched and unexplored, the archipelago represents one of the few tropical island destinations in the world still untainted by man's influence. The 1500km2 Quirimbas National Park provides sanctuary for the remarkable flora and fauna residing in this marine area. Feeding and nesting grounds for sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins, sharks and whales are protected here, as is a vast expanse of tropical forest. Included within the park are 11 unspoilt coral islands, which are strung along the coastline for 100km in extent. These coral atolls boast vertical drop-offs of up to 400 meters, abundant with coral-covered caves and tropical fish, ranging from Gobies to mammoth Napoleon Wrasse, as well as game fish such as Kingfish and Spanish Mackerel.
The stunning Bazaruto Archipelago consists of four main islands: Bazaruto Island, Benguerra Island, Magaruque Island and Santa Carolina (Paradise) Island, situated 30km off the coast of Vilanculos in Inhambane Province off the coast of Mozambique. A protected National Park, the archipelago boasts 180 species of birds, endemic butterflies, suni antelope and freshwater crocodiles. Offshore its protected waters and reefs support dolphin, dugong, gamefish, giant lobster and several species of marine turtle.
The largest conservation area in Mozambique, the Niassa Reserve covers parts of Cabo Delgado Province and nearly one third of Niassa Province and is twice the size of the world-famous Kruger National Park. This huge wilderness preserve, covering 42 000 square kilometers, is only just being discovered and contains by far the greatest concentration of wildlife in Mozambique.
The wildlife remains free and unfettered and the results of an aerial census in 2002 estimated over 12 000 elephant, 9 000 Sable Antelope and several thousand Cape Buffalo. Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, eland and zebra roam the plains and river valleys against a backdrop of towering inselbergs (or island mountains) that dominate the topography here.
Niassa National Reserve is truly a Mozambique wildlife paradise, providing refuge for over 200 endangered Cape Hunting Dog (African Wild Dog), as well as other predators such as lion, leopard and Spotted Hyena, and general game such as kudu, bushbuck, impala, wildebeest, waterbuck, reedbuck and hippo. Three sub-species, the Niassa Wildebeest, Boehm's Zebra and Johnston's Impala are endemic to the Niassa area. This is one of the last areas in the world where such a wide array of wildlife thrives without any management by man.
There is a profound magic about the Victoria Falls, with its towering column of spray, thunder of falling water and terrifying abyss of the Zambezi gorge below, offset by tranquil lagoons and islands teeming with wildlife above. Thousands of visitors each year continue to be moved by its beauty, whilst explorer and missionary David Livingstone, who named the falls after his queen in 1855, was moved to write: "Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight".
Dubbed 'The Smoke that Thunders', Victoria Falls are the largest falling body of water in the world, with 550 000 cubic meters of water cascading over its lip every minute. At its widest, the Falls are 1.7 km across, with the height of the drops ranging from 100-116 metres. Few other major waterfalls can be viewed from such close quarters on foot, and virtually the entire width can be viewed face on from as close as 60 metres. Adding to the experience is the wide range of wildlife and birds in the National Park surrounding the falls, which is maintained in pristine condition by Zimbabwe's National Parks. Despite its massive tourism appeal, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has thankfully avoided excessive commercialisation.
The Victoria Falls are spectacular throughout the year, but the heaviest flow and volume of spray occurs after the rainy season, from February onwards. The dry season, from August onwards, offers the most exciting white-water rafting, with the Zambezi Gorge's turbulent waters boasting the biggest commercially navigable rapids in the world.
Maputo is the capital of Mozambique located to the South. Maputo is a melting pot of several cultures, with a strong South African influence. The Bantu and Portuguese cultures dominate, but the influence of Arab, Indian, and Chinese cultures is also felt. The cuisine is very elaborate, owing especially to the Portuguese and Muslim heritage. Seafood is also very abundant.
The rural fishing village of Vilankulo is on the Mozambican coast 750km north of the capital, Maputo. It's the gateway to the idyllic islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago with their pristine natural beauty and diverse ecologies.
Vilankulo offers a range of accommodation options – from luxurious lodges to camping and everything in between. You can experience rural Mozambican culture - the traditional fishing methods, the local cuisine, the drum beats at night…. You don't need a 4x4 to drive there and there is an international airport with direct flights from South Africa, Beira and Maputo.
