Island Hopping Tour

Mozambique - 14 Nights / 15 Days- Overland

Unique Tour Package-Island Hopping!

Please note, that the National Park, can only be visited from Mid - May to November!

Day 1: All Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner –Included.

Fly Johannesburg=JHB / Maputo (Mozambique Airport)!

Pickup at Maputo airport and transfer to Hotel.

Overnight in Maputo.

Day 2: All Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Included.

Depart after breakfast for viewing of the game in the Maputo Special Reserve - Maputo Game Drive, a packed lunch en route or a late lunch at Anvil Bay and afternoon at leisure.

Overnight at Guest Lodge.

Day 3: All Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner –Included.

Depart after a healthy breakfast for the day’s activities cost!

Optional extras-according to Season- Own Cost!

1. Dune Forest Trails.

You are not limited to just strolling on the beach! We are situated in a coastal forest and there are stunning walks where one can explore the inland areas, Ponta Chemokine and go for a Game Drive. Whether you are a keen birder who would like to spot an elusive feathered friend or you just want to take a relaxing stroll to the nearby lake and view the resident Hippos there are plenty of options for you. If you prefer you can explore by yourself, just ask for directions, or a guide can accompany you to show you the route.

2. Beach Walks.

With miles of stunning unspoiled coastline north and south of our bay, you can walk as far as you like and are unlikely to come across another soul. There are some beautiful ocean and sunset viewpoints atop some of the world’s highest coastal dunes.

3. Ocean Safari.

Go on a safari experience with a difference! Set sail on a purpose-designed boat for a 2-hour leisurely cruise along the coastline in search of marine animals big and small. Dolphins are frequent visitors to our shores, as are turtles and the occasional Whale shark and manta Ray.

Depending on the circumstances and the behaviour of the animal it may also be possible to enter the water and interact with some of these magnificent creatures. In-season humpback whales can also be encountered up close and personal during their annual migration. Subject to sea conditions. Participants must be able to swim.

4. Turtle Nesting Walks (Seasonal)

From late October to late January each year we are exceptionally privileged to witness the nesting of both Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles. The emergence of the hatchlings occurs from December through to late March. Anvil Bay participates in the turtle monitoring program and guests can take a guided turtle tour where with luck you’ll be able to view turtles laying their eggs. Leatherhead Turtle Loggerhead Turtle

5. Whale Watching (Seasonal)!

From July to November every year the Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales make their annual migration along the Mozambican coastline on their way to and from their winter breeding grounds. Keep an eye out for the telltale blow as they surface to breathe, or perhaps you will be lucky enough to witness them breaching, lob tailing or pec rolling.

The whales can be easily sighted directly from shore but if you would like to get a closer look then join us for an Ocean safari in season.

Overnight at Guest Lodge.

Day 4: All Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner –Included.

Depart after breakfast and do item 1, as per Day 3, which could be a Dune Forest walk or Beach walks, these include a guide for valued explanations of Flora and Fauna life. Lunch at the Resort and depart for Maputo.

Overnight at Maputo.

Day 5: All Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Included.

Depart after breakfast and do the Maputo – City Tour, The places to visit include Central Market + Train Station + Fortress + Iron House + Natural History Museum + Fish Market + Craft Market + Traditional Dancing Performance.

Overnight at Maputo.

Day 6: All Meals Included.

Maputo (previously called Lourenco Marques) is the sprawling capital of Mozambique with a population of about two million people and a large harbour. Under Portuguese influence, Lourenzo Marques became one of Africa's most beautiful and fashionable cities with an impressive skyline of tall buildings and a cosmopolitan Portuguese/African atmosphere.

We will visit the Praca, the star-shaped structure in the centre of the plaza that holds the remains of Mozambique's revolutionary and post-independence heroes. The most important landmark is the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceiao (Our Lady of Conception), which was the nucleus of the original settlement. Another imposing building is the Central Railway Station, an enormous structure that looks more like a palace for kings than a siding for commuters. We also visit the Central Market and the Museum of Natural History.

An interesting and instructive aspect of Maputo is its public art, largely focused on revolutionary themes and often expressed as a mural. Many of the city's murals were painted following independence from Portugal. This new period was marked by spontaneity, and many colourful and complex murals were painted, the most famous of which is the 95m (285 ft) long mural opposite the Praca dos Herois Mocambicanos, commemorating the Revolution.

We also include a walking tour through Mafalala Bairro, which focuses on exploring the area’s rich historical and cultural roots. It includes a stop at a local Curandeiro (healer) and possibly a traditional dance performance.

Experience the nightlife in Maputo, with a local guide and taste traditional Mozambican food, going out and visiting a Pub or local Tavern is a must!

Overnight in Maputo.

Day 7: All Meals Included! Domestic Flight

This morning we from Maputo north to Beira from where we transfer by road to Gorongosa National Park- 4 hours. Book into the lodge, have a healthy lunch and go for a game walk. The rehabilitation of Gorongosa National Park in Central Mozambique represents one of the great conservation opportunities in the world today. Gorongosa is a region of high species diversity and ecological features found nowhere else. The 4067 square kilometre Park is located at the southern end of the Great East African Rift Valley. The park includes the valley floor and parts of surrounding plateaus.

Rivers originating on nearby 1862-meter Mount Gorongosa water the plain. Gorongosa National Park offers something for everyone interested in African wildlife and spectacular scenery. There is a lion, elephant, buffalo, and many kinds of antelope, with frequent sightings of sable, impala, oribi, bushbuck, reedbuck, kudu, nyala, waterbuck, and (less frequently) zebra, hartebeest and eland.

Lake Urema and its waterways support healthy populations of crocodiles and hippos. Trained guides take us on game-viewing drives, traversing various ecosystems, including floodplains, forests, and lowland savanna.

Overnight at Gorongosa National Park.

Day 8: All Meals Included!

We have an early morning game drive followed by a walk and boat ride to the community of Vinho. It is a 30-45-minute walk to the Pungue River, with some birding along the way. At the Pungue River, there will be a short trip in a small boat and along the way, we will greet many of the park's employees. We will also visit the new school and hospital that has been recently built in the community.

Overnight at Gorongosa National Park.

Day 9: All Meals Included!

Today we drive back to Beira and head back to central Mozambique.

Beira is Mozambique's second-largest city and an important port. Known as the 'heart of Mozambique' it is situated halfway up the coast in Sofala province at the mouth of the Pungoe River. Although run down and neglected, the buildings have a Mediterranean style and the infrastructure of the city is being re-established after years of neglect and abuse. Travel time permitting, we may be able to have a panoramic look at Beira before settling in for the night.

Overnight in Maputo.

Day 10: All Meals!

Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone, as the city reminds you of going 100 years back in time, a very basic and simple lifestyle!

This morning we arrive in Nampula in northern Mozambique and then travel by road +/- three hours east to Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique Island), a World Heritage site. Prior to 1898, this was the capital of colonial Portuguese East Africa. With its rich history and sandy beaches, the island is one of Mozambique's fastest-growing tourist destinations island was a major Arab port and boat building in the years before Vasco da Gama visited in 1498. The name of the island is derived from Musa Al Big, an Arab trader who first visited the island and later lived there.

This name was subsequently taken to the mainland country which is modern-day Mozambique, and the island was renamed Ilha de Mocambique (Island of Mozambique).

The Portuguese established a port and naval base in 1507 and built the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte in 1522. During the sixteenth century, Fort São Sebastião was built, and the Portuguese settlement (known as Stone Town) became the capital of Portuguese East Africa as well as an important missionary centre. It withstood Dutch attacks in 1607 and 1608 and remained a major port for the Portuguese on their trips to India.

Overnight in the vicinity of Ilha de Mozambique.

Day 11: All Meals Included!

Will have to depart, before lunch!

The island in itself is not very big, about 3 km long and between 200 and 500 metres wide. Most historical buildings are at the island's northern end. The majority of the residents live in reed houses in Makuti Town at the southern end of the island. We have a full day here to explore this tiny island on foot with its collection of historic buildings.

The Palace and Chapel of São Paulo, built in 1610 as a Jesuit College and subsequently used as the Governor's Residence is now a museum. The Museum of Sacred Art, housed in the Church of the Misericórdia run by the House of Mercy, displays an excellent Makonde crucifix. Other historic buildings include the Church of Santo António, the Church of the Misericórdia, and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte. The island, now entirely urbanised, is also home to several mosques and a Hindu temple.

During our time here, we will also board the Arab-style dhow boats to explore one of the neighbouring islands and spend time in the local town.

After lunch travel back to Nampula, for an early afternoon return, arrive in Maputo and visit Maputo Beach for a Sundowner and one of the local Taverns/Pubs and interact, with the local people!

Overnight in Maputo.

Day 12: All Meals Included!

Please that the Ferry only runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Depart after breakfast and get down to the harbour very early 06H45, for Inhaca Island!!

Sitting 33km due east of the capital of Mozambique which is Maputo is a sub-tropical island which measures 12km by 7km. It’s called Inhaca Island! It is speculated that Vasco Da Gama would have sighted Inhaca island in 1497/98.

The island was used as a trading post in the 1500s, mainly for the ivory trade, however, one of the most interesting features throughout the period of Portuguese trading was its fame as a haven of refuge for shipwrecked mariners working their way up the coast from the south. After indescribable hardships suffered on the long coast journey on foot, they always found the natives of Inhaca friendly and helpful. The first of these shipwrecks was the Galleon S. JOAO’ in 1552.

This little island has been inhabited by local tribes for hundreds of years and has seen ups and downs political strife and economic woes. Area of the island: 52 Km2.The island holds a Marine museum which can be visited and Inhaca is home to about 300 bird species.

Overnight at Guest Lodge.

Day 13: All Meals Included!

Depart after a healthy breakfast for Inhaca Island is just a stone’s throw away from Portuguese Island, an uninhabited island where cruise ships dock! Welcome to Inhaca Island! Located 40km off the Maputo coastline, an inlet of the Indian Ocean is at the mouth of Maputo Bay (formerly known as Delagoa Bay). Dive Inhaca’s coral reefs, explore underwater caves or go wreck diving!

There are just so many things to do on Inhaca Island - it’s the perfect year-round holiday destination with, activities and areas to explore. If you are looking for an island holiday then Inhaca has it all.

A popular destination for eco-tourists and researchers, Inhaca’s wide variety of habitats which include woodlands, evergreen forests, grass plains and freshwater swamps are home to a wide variety of birds such as the Trumpeter Hornbill, Golden Rumped Tinker Bird and Brimstone Canary. The marine habitats such as mud and sand flats and mangrove swamps are home to the Greater Flamingo, Pink Backed Pelicans, Grey Herons and the rare Mangrove Kingfisher.

For avid divers, Inhaca’s crystal clear water offers unsurpassed diving and snorkelling. The Coral Gardens (Barreira Vermelha) and Hotel Reefs are just a short boat ride away where the waters are shallow and warm and perfect for novice snorkelers and divers – The Coral Gardens comprise a wall which is approximately 400 metres long and covered in hard and soft coral which attract a multitude of colourful tropical fish such as parrot fish, damsels, bannerfish, triggerfish, octopus and lobsters; with the Hotel Reef being fairly flat and having more sandy patches.

More advanced diving sites include Banco de China and the Santa Maria Reef which should only be attempted by experienced divers. Here you will find an astonishing variety of marine life including the majestic Kingfish, turtles, rays, barracuda and painted frogfish to name a few. The Baixo Danae Reef is further out to sea and has a variety of dive sites with caves and crevasses and one having the wrecks of two sunken ships which make for great exploring. For fishing enthusiasts, you are spoilt for choice.

Many of the lodges offer fishing charters with world-class fishing spots to choose from where catches include Marlin, Tuna, Barracuda, Dorado and Kingfish.

Other excursions include a visit to the Marine Biology Museum where visitors can learn about the island's marine life and a trip to the Inhaca Lighthouse towards the Northern tip of the island. Portuguese Island is another excursion where by boat you can travel to this uninhabited piece of paradise just 3km from Inhaca Island – here you can enjoy all manner of water sports in the lagoon, go snorkelling or enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch, we head for Portuguese Island in a Dhow, travelling locally, is definitely the best option!

Overnight at Guest Lodge.

Day 14: All Meals Included!

After breakfast, catch an early Dhow cruise back to Maputo and do a guided walking tour through the city of Maputo, the Capital of Mozambique! Visit all historical sites

and have lunch with the locals in a popular tavern/pub. After lunch venture along the dockyard and see ferries transporting trucks, cars and people, along one of the busiest waterways in Africa! In the late afternoon head back to the lodge, freshen up and experience Traditional Mozambican food and venture out to enjoy the nightlife of Maputo-local bar and restaurant!

Overnight in Maputo.

Day 15: All meals-Included!

Today we fly to Johannesburg (JHB) airport.

END OF TOUR!

Please advise Nationality, as certain countries have Visa restrictions.

Cost is based on a minimum – of 2 people!

Included-

All Airport Transfers x 2
All Accommodations
Drive Guide + Vehicle
2 x Domestic Flights- Mozambique-only!
1 x Ferry Ride
All Meals- 3 x per day
2x Bottled water per day
1x Nightlife Experience with Guide

Excluded-

Personal Insurance + Expenses
All Activities
All Alcoholic +Soft Drinks
Tips to Guide + Porterage
Johannesburg and return Flight