Family Holidays to Mozambique

• Bazaruto Archipelago National Park
  Mozamibique’s only marine park protects the fragile natural habitat of dugong, dolphin, sea turtles, sharks, whales and stingrays. It’s one of the world’s top diving locations and includes the five Bazaruto Archipelago islands.

• Maputo Special Reserve
  One of southern Africa’s best kept secrets this 1040km² wilderness reserve is where to see elephant, kudu, warthog, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and hippo on day-safari.

• Limpopo National Park
  Limpopo in Mozambique is trans-frontier, sharing a western border with South Africa’s legendary Kruger Park. Smaller than its neighbour, less touristy and uncrowded for guided safaris with older kids.

• Kruger National Park, South Africa
  South Africa’s top game reserve and leading family safari destination is just over two hour’s drive from Maputo and Mozambique’s Indian Ocean beaches.

• Dhow Safaris, Ibo Island
  A voyage around Mozambique’s idyllic Quirimbas Archipelago aboard a traditional dhow and fly-camping on deserted Indian Ocean islands is an unforgettable adventure with older kids.

• Dolphin Encounters, Ponta do Ouro
  Ethical encounters with dolphins off the coast of Mozambique are magical experiences, fascinating engagement with marine conservation initiatives too.

• Deep Sea Fishing, Bazaruto Archipelago
  Mozambique’s Indian Ocean waters are some of Africa’s deep-sea fishing finest. Recommended tours operate a tag and release policy and offer instruction for beginners.

• Turtle Watching and Releasing, Vamizi Island
  Five of the world’s seven sea turtle species nest on Mozambique’s coastline. Vamizi Island’s the best place to see Hawksbill and Green Turtles and kids are welcome to join the island’s conservation community monitoring, releasing and assisting between December and July – peak times are March and June.

• Canoe Safari, Limpopo National Park
  Part of the Canoe Africa initiative, sailing and camping on Limpopo’s Rio dos Elefantes is fantastic fun, family friendly and a great skill-building experience for kids.

• Guided Ibo Island Tours
  Mozambique’s oldest settlement, after Mozambique Island, Ibo’s history is fascinating but these guided tours explore the present as well as the past.

Educational value for kids

• On Ibo Island, history lessons are held on João Baptiste’s porch: he’s a local legend, storyteller and keeper of Mozambique’s oral tradition.
• Learn about the conservation and protection of Mozambique’s magnificent marine environment at one of the country’s two dedicated dolphin research centres.
• The best time to hear Marrabenta (traditional Mozambique music) is during the annual Marrabenta Festival in February – centred on Maputo with some events further north in Inhambe.
• Visit Maputo Central Market. It’s enormous, chaotic, noisy and sells just about everything under the sun and then some – bit daunting for younger kids but a must with teenagers (don’t carry valuables or large amounts of cash).

• Support Mozambique’s communities by visiting workshops, talking to artisans and artists and buying locally made crafts like Vamizi Island pompoms and Pemba silverwork.
• Limpopo National Park has well-managed guided safaris including: Rio Elefantes canoeing; Parangala Wilderness Trail; Lebombo Hiking and Shingwedzi 4 x 4 eco-trails.
• Take guided tours of Mozambique’s island communities, they’re good fun and meeting local children is a mutual learning experience.

Getting about with kids in Mozambique

Mozambique’s infrastructure’s can be quite basic and even travelling between cities along the coast makes challenging driving. The political climate’s as stable as it’s been for decades but there are still areas best avoided with kids. Beach tourism’s long-established, safe and very high quality. Safari tourism isn’t luxury standard but it’s well-managed in Limpopo, Maputo and trans-frontier Kruger.

The best, easiest and most enjoyable way to get about with kids is to pre-arrange transport as part of your holiday and consider lodges, hotels and resorts where transfers, island sailing and tours are included.