Mozambique

The Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos are the real secret

Mozambique has 2,500 kilometres of Indian Ocean coastline and is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the region, which gives it a food culture built on peri-peri prawns, coconut and Portuguese bread that sets it apart from its English-speaking neighbours entirely.

The archipelagos are the highlight. Bazaruto in the south has dune islands, dugongs and some of the best fly fishing anywhere. The Quirimbas in the far north are more remote still, with Ibo Island holding crumbling Portuguese forts and silversmiths, and Vamizi and Medjumbe offering the sort of barefoot luxury that costs accordingly.

Ilha de Mocambique, a small coral island that was the capital of Portuguese East Africa for four centuries, is a UNESCO site of stone town and reed town side by side. Note that the northern Cabo Delgado province has had a serious insurgency since 2017 and carries travel advisories, so check current guidance carefully before planning anything up there.

Annual events and festivals

• Independence Day (25 Jun) — marks 1975 independence from Portugal.
• Marrabenta Festival (Feb) — celebrating the national music style, in Maputo.
• Azgo Festival, Maputo (May) — a multidisciplinary arts festival.
• Timbila performances (year round) — Chopi xylophone orchestras. UNESCO listed.
• Heroes Day (3 Feb) — commemorating Eduardo Mondlane.
• Gwaza Muthini (Feb) — commemorating the 1895 battle of Marracuene, with ukanyi fruit drink.
• Mozambican Womens Day (7 Apr) — honouring Josina Machel.
• Whale shark season, Tofo (Oct-Mar) — one of the most reliable places in the world to swim with them.
• Humpback whale season (Jul-Oct) — migrating along the coast.
• Christmas and Family Day (25 Dec) — marked as Family Day nationally.