Mozambique

From the sophisticated South to the final-frontier North, Mozambique is a mysterious, magical place of dreamy beaches, fabulous diving, offbeat safaris and spectacular island lodges.<br /> <br /> A country of two halves, the South boasts some of the world’s best dive sites at the island idylls of the Bazaruto Archipelago, with dazzling white sands, and coral reefs teeming with colourful fish. Inland are the safari trails and bird-watching of Gorongosa National Park; now being restored to its former glory as an important conservation project.<br /> <br /> But for true untouched paradise, head north. It starts at Ilha de Moçambique (Mozambique Island), the time-warped former capital joined to the mainland by a causeway, where tiny reed houses rub shoulders with pastel-coloured mansions; then goes on up the coast to Pemba, a sunny seaside town with a beautiful beach, and beyond – at the country’s northern tip – to the Quirimbas Archipelago, with its abundant marine life, paradise-perfect beaches and handful of spectacular island lodges.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

CAPITAL CITY | Maputo
TIME DIFFERENCE | GMT +1 hour
BEST TIME TO VISIT | Mar-Nov
CURRENCY | Mozambique Metical