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Mozambique is stunning beaches with alabaster-white sands fringed with palm trees, savannahs and baobabs, lying on the shores of manatees and corals in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Who travels to Mozambique and why
The state attracts fans of history and architecture. There are quite interesting buildings here, mysterious ruins and fortresses, but most of all — buildings of the colonial era.
Beach lovers, coming here, enjoy the white sands and the hot sun on the shores of the Indian Ocean. And if you want solitude, you can go to a nearby island in the Bazaruto archipelago.
The rich underwater world off the coast of Mozambique will be of interest to lovers of diving and snorkeling. Many protected areas, animals and tropical birds will appeal to families with children, wildlife lovers and safari fans.
natural attractions
Bazaruto Archipelago
There is nothing in the world like the Bazaruto archipelago. Speckled elongated islands in the Indian Ocean, aquamarine lagoons and coral clusters look like a patchwork quilt. The shores are dotted with ocher hills and sand dunes, rare coconut palms and shrubs.
The largest island of the archipelago is also called Bazaruto. Its inner part is cut by karst hills and dotted with large boulders. Smaller islands do not have names, but there are open bays with a sandy bottom and picturesque beaches.
Iñaka Island
The picturesque island of Inyaka broke away from the African mainland 8 thousand years ago, overgrown with corals and attracts vacationers with yellow sand beaches. Palm trees grow on the shore and beautiful tropical flowers delight the eye.
Tourists come to the island to get acquainted with its nature, learn about marine animals in the research center, swim and lie on the beach.
Lake Cahora Bassa
Lake Cahora Bassa stretches from the Zambian border to the heart of Tete province in western Mozambique. This is the largest freshwater reservoir on the entire continent, with a total area of more than 2,700 square kilometers.
At one end of the lake rises the eponymous dam, a massive wall of concrete and steel that is 171 meters high and 303 meters wide. Tourists from different parts of the world come to see this amazing engineering project.
Fishermen’s houses and floating huts are scattered along the banks of the reservoir. In the settlement near the lake, you can see the churches and baroque buildings built by the Portuguese colonizers.
National parks and reserves
Ponta do Ouro Marine Reserve
The UNESCO-protected reserve includes almost 700 square kilometers of coast, including the island of Iñaca.
Several natural landscapes alternate here: sandy beaches, dunes with sparse vegetation, rocks, mangroves, reefs and estuaries. The protected area is full of rare plants, fish, shrimps and other invertebrates. Ghost crabs, crayfish and snails are found in the waters and on the shore.
Locals fish for shellfish, crabs and oysters. Right here you can try exotic seafood dishes according to unique recipes. In autumn, sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand between Ponta do Ouro and Iñaca Island. And in Maputo Bay you can see Chinese dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales.
Gorongosa National Park
The park, created during the Portuguese rule as a private nature reserve, covers the southern reaches of the East African Rift Valley in the heart of Mozambique. In the 60s, this place was transformed into a full-fledged national park.
People come here for a safari to see bushbucks, herds of elephants, water deer, crowned cranes, wild warthogs and other exotic animals.
Kirimbas National Park
Quirimbas National Park is a real natural gem in the province of Cabo Delgado. The territory of the reserve covers an archipelago of 30 islands. The unique duo of land and coastal waters is the best place on the planet for water sports and fishing.
Here you can dive into a 400-meter cliff right from the shore, admire tropical fish, corals and other marine life. The islands are covered with mangrove forests where African leopards, elephants and crocodiles live.
Nyasa Reserve
The reserve includes the lake of the same name and coastal forests. It is part of a series of interconnected natural areas that stretch from the meanders of the Ruvuma River in northern Mozambique to the famous Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania.
African lions and elephants, cheetahs and other animals live in the forests of Nyasa. Eco-loggias are organized in the reserve for lovers of safari and wildlife.
Limpopo National Park
Limpopo National Park has everything a tourist needs: a variety of flora and fauna, picturesque landscapes, river riches and the border with the legendary Kruger National Park in South Africa. The park is named after the Limpopo River, where crocodiles live. And in the coastal forests live lions, elephants and water deer.
Notable cities
Maputo
The capital of Mozambique was built by the Portuguese on the site of drained swamps. The colonialists also built a grandiose imperial railway station for those times, paved wide boulevards lined with palm trees and other structures.
The city is like a small enclave of Europe, only with bustling African bazaars, authentic cuisine, batik and souvenirs.
pemba
Pemba crowns the top of the Cape Delgado peninsula. The city is known for its magnificent colonial architecture and beautiful Portuguese-style frontispieces. The coastline is strewn with pearly white beaches, full of tropical sun and palm trees.
The deep shimmering waters of Pemba Bay have become a mecca for scuba divers. Ordinary tourists visit the fishing villages between the bays of Ibo Island, wander around the great baobabs and swim in the bays.
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