Wednesday 12 March 2014

Sail and Safari in Mozimbique

Sail and Safari in east Africa

Mozambique is the shining jewel of the Indian Ocean, with sandy white beaches and a 
pearly necklace of spectacular islands. It is the perfect location for isle hopping and 
experiencing true tropical bliss. 

You can hope for no better view than when sailing breezily past the jaw-dropping mangrove 
forests speckled with red-listed birds and hemmed with isolated beaches - ideal for 
snorkelling but you can explore them too because what many travellers aren’t aware of is 
that your trip to the Mozambiquan seas is also the perfect opportunity to enjoy an inland 
safari! In this regard, Mozambique Yacht Charters is a fantastic company to start planning 
your trip with. 

Set sail! 
Enjoy spotting lurid bird life, snorkelling, paddling in a two man kayak, swimming and taking 
in the scenery on your yachting adventure, which can take you to places like: 

Ulumbwa Island - Beneath the waters of this island, you can find miles of coral seascapes 
in-between exploring little fishing villages, sampling some freshly caught kingklip and going 
on guided tours through the lush mangrove forests. Ulumbwa presents its own singular 
share of bright birds and untouched natural beauty. 

Quilalea Island - Only recently re-opened, in 2011, this private vacation retreat is 
refurbished and luxurious. It’s another spot where you can enjoy coral outcrops, winding 
pathways and lush greenery. Here you can get a real castaway feel between the luxuries 
offered by secluded beaches, beautiful villas and looming baobabs. 

Welcome to the bush 
Enjoy a memorable safari in Mozaimbique when on honeymoon, a trip with the family or 
simply when in search of an unforgettable island holiday. We recommend a marine safari – 
explore the natural wildlife of Mozimbique and visit many of the eco-friendly camps on 
uninhabited islands. You can also visit: 

The Quirimbas Archipelago - Ibo Island 
This Muslim trading port houses one of the most alluring attractions in the entire archipelago. 
Though many of the isles have relics of its silversmith expertise and slave trade, you can find 
no better worksmanship than on Ibo. This ghost town is two centuries old, boasting forts 
from a faded history along with ancient ruins and trade buildings. Safari on the island to 
witness rare aquatic species such as Hawksbill and Green turtles, as they migrate on and 
off-shore. 

Guided nature and bird walks - Mozimbique’s mangrove forests are floral kigdoms, home 
to over 700 rare and exotic bird species, including Sunbirds and Lilac-breasted Rollers. 
Safari through the forests for a rare glimpse of these indigenous creatures, along with a 
qualified guide. 

Experience both the allure of sailing, as well as the adventure of exploring natural 
Mozambiquan habitats when yachting and safariing in and around Mozambique this year.  

Contact us for a unique Sail and Safari Holiday in Mozimbique

Discovering Mozambique – a truly African adventure on a yacht

Sailing East Africa
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When you think of travelling to any African country, you’ll most likely be confronted 
with a mosaic of typical imagery, from traditional dancers to local food stores and 
over-priced souvenirs. Needless to say, these are the memories you could take back 
from any trip, but beneath the façade of what Mozambique is to travellers, lies a 
wealth of scenery and experiences just waiting to be uncovered. Nestled in the 
Indian Ocean and bordered by countries such as Malawi and Tanzania, Mozambique 
is the perfect African paradise for travellers with a rich and diverse heritage 
embodied by its developing communities, as I was able to find out first-hand. 

A close friend recommended I see Mozambique by yacht, as this would give me a 
good mix of an inland experience with the beauty, leisure and comfort of being at sea 
with a reputable yacht company. My travelling companion and I opted for a tour with 
Mozambique Yacht Charters given that they operate all year round. This is what I 
found on my travels. 

First stop, Ibo Island! 

Within the Quirimbas National Reserve lies Ibo Island, a peaceful and scenic place 
originally used as a Muslim trade port and also a resting place for Vasco Da Gama in 
1502. This coral island can best be described as mostly untainted by humanity, 
offering breathtaking sunsets and natural scenery. The few signs of humanity that 
can be found are echoed in some of the oldest buildings in Mozambique – 
established by Arabic traders along the coastline. 

On to Matembo 

Moving on to Matembo was quite an interesting experience, given that this island is 
more of a resort and a far cry from the quiet and barely developed Ibo Island. Tall 
palm trees grace the coast, while the locals craft small boats and mostly trade by day 
trying to barter with visiting travellers. Long stretches of white beachfront and 
turquois ocean make for a beautiful view but admittedly a contrast to the conditions in 
which the locals live in old buildings reminiscent of a bygone era. Still, kids play 
joyfully in the streets and many of them help their parents to gather wood and other 
supplies. 

The waters of Majumbe 

Majumbe is heaven, or at least as close as anything can get. Crystal Clear blue 
water is home to friendly schools of dolphins that come unexpectedly close to the 
yacht. The island itself is private, making it rather an exclusive destination and 
understandably so. It’s barely populated with a few luxury chalets, sitting comfortably 
in the Quirimbas archipelago as a beacon for the absolute beauty and remoteness 
that Mozambique offers. 

Home stretch - Vamizi 

It was with a heavy heart that we reached Vamizi in Northern Mozambique – the final 
stretch of our journey, but we were anything but disappointed. This area has an 
affiliation with the WWF due to its exotic and extensive range of marine life, and local 
government places strict regulations in order to maintain wildlife conservation. The 
waters are nothing short of pristine, which made for a wonderful snorkeling 
experience. I will never forget the day I saw my first Leather-back Turtle, swimming 
with strength and grace like a king of those blue waters.  
In fact, there are many things about Mozambique I will never forget. 

Contact us today for a unique yacht charter holiday in east Africa.