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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.
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