Have you ever dreamt of exploring the most extraordinary places in Mozambique? Well, Rhino Africa’s got you covered. We’ve combed the country from the mainland to the islands and can’t wait to share our insights and discoveries. From paradise beaches to historical treasure troves, here are our picks of the five most beautiful places in Mozambique.
Spellbinding places in Mozambique, Image Credit: Santorini Mozambique
1. Bazaruto Archipelago – A Sweet Slice of Paradise
Picture crystal-clear waters, sugar-white beaches, and coral reefs brimming with magnificent marine life. That’s the Bazaruto Archipelago for you – a tropical utopia that feels like a daydream. And our top tip? Explore the archipelago’s islands, from Bazaruto to Benguerra and Magaruque. You won’t regret it!
Bazaruto Archipelago has so many unspoilt beaches, Image Credit: Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort
Here, snorkelling, scuba diving, sunbathing and dhow sailing are staple pastimes. But there are so many more bespoke experiences, too – think horse-riding, castaway picnics, dugong encounters and more! So, if you’re after a tranquil and picture-perfect escape, this is where you’ll find it, among the most enticing places in Mozambique.
Relish in a castaway picnic when staying on Benguerra Island, Image Credit: &Beyond Benguerra Island
2. Benguerra Island – A Romantic Retreat
To fully divulge the most beautiful places in Mozambique, we would be remiss not to dive deeper into the wonders of Benguerra Island. As the second largest island within the Bazaruto Archipelago, this barefoot beach hideaway welcomes you with warm, inviting waters, immaculate coral reefs, picturesque beaches and serene freshwater lakes.
Spend a lifetime just lounging about in one of the most romantic places in Mozambique, Image Credit: Azura Benguerra Island
To truly immerse yourself in the island’s dream-like allure, consider indulging in a stay at Azura Benguerra Island or &Beyond Benguerra Island, both of which offer attractive accommodations and experiences that allow you to fully absorb the island’s charms.
An island hideaway set on a protected lagoon, Image Credit: &Beyond Benguerra Island
3. Vilanculos – Your Doorway to Idyllic Islands
Vilanculos serves as the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, making it an essential stop on your Mozambican adventure. This place is all about the vibes, with bustling markets, seafood feasts, and locals as warm as the sun-kissed sands. Oh! And it’s also home to some of the most exquisite places in Mozambique, of course!
World-class scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and many other water sports like kayaking, Image Credit: Santorini Mozambique
Take a boat trip to nearby islands, where dolphins play, and hidden coves await your discovery. Whether you’re craving relaxation or adventure, Vilanculos is a hub of excitement and one of the hottest places in Mozambique.
Views across the expanse of a Vilanculos beach, Image Credit: Santorini Mozambique
4. Santorini Mozambique – Seaside Serenity
One must include Santorini Mozambique when discussing the enchanting Vilanculos. This remarkable establishment graces the shores of Vilanculos Bay. Its collection of Grecian villas, spread across multiple levels, draws inspiration from the turquoise waters that echo the beauty of the Greek Isles.
Views across the Vilanculos Bay, Image Credit: Santorini Mozambique
Nestled between lush forests and the Indian Ocean, you can relish both the seclusion and the allure of underwater adventures and various land and water sports. The villa interiors mirror the stunning surroundings with their soft and graceful design. Each villa is equipped with a private balcony offering splendid sea views.
Grecian-inspired villa on a private stretch of pearly beach, Image Credit: Santorini Mozambique
5. Gorongosa National Park – A Wild Wonderland
Mozambique’s beaches certainly stand out, however, if you’re hankering for a different kind of beauty, Gorongosa National Park is your ticket. Known as the “Place Where Noah Left His Ark,” this national park is an inspiring conservation success story. It’s home to a cast of characters, from elephants to lions and over 400 feathered friends.
Once one of the most diverse national parks in Africa, with many endemic species
Get ready for a safari like no other as you navigate lush landscapes, pristine lakes, and rugged terrain. Gorongosa’s wildlife resurgence showcases nature’s tenacity and is one of the wildest places in Mozambique.
Gorongosa National Park boasts a collection of varied ecosystems
Many More Mozambique Marvels
We must admit it was tough to narrow down the most beautiful places in Mozambique to just five. Its beauty really knows no bounds. So, it’s important to bear in mind that the country boasts numerous dazzling destinations. The best place for you ultimately depends on your interests.
Get in touch with our team of Travel Experts, who are ready to help you discover your perfect Mozambique retreat!
Featured Image: Azura Benguerra Island
If you’re thinking about getting down onto one knee, you need to consider the top places to propose in Africa. Our continent is a popular engagement setting because it will make you fall even deeper in love with each other! Africa gives you butterflies, making you feel more alive than ever. So, if you’re ready to pop the question, consider these places to propose in Africa, as they will almost guarantee a resounding “YES!” in response.
A romantic picnic proposal in Zambia, Image Credit: Tongabezi Lodge
Oh, Heaven is a Place in Africa
Guests from across the globe flock to Africa to propose to their forever partners. Why? Well, there’s something intoxicating about the continent’s wild beauty, warmth, and just how she makes you feel. It’s a contagious feeling that will no doubt make your significant other’s heart beat faster, eyes sparkle, and ignite an excitement for the future. And isn’t that just the perfect recipe for a proposal? So, as hand-picked by our Travel Experts, here are our top 10 places to propose in Africa.
There are so many beautiful settings to propose in Africa, Image Credit: Ellerman House
1. Sundowner Proposal on Safari in Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is number one on our list because it’s one of the most requested proposal settings. There’s something about getting down onto one knee after an exhilarating game drive, the sun inching toward the horizon and splashing the wide-open bush in vibrant hues. It’s a moment that will take your breath away, so will make the proposal surprise even more impactful!
Sundowners on safari is the perfect time and place to propose
2. Floating through The Clouds in a Hot Air Balloon, East Africa
East Africa’s Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya are the perfect proposal spots. In particular, taking to the skies in a hot air balloon to look down onto the world below. As you float above the wide-open plains, you’ll feel invincible, marvelling at the wildlife congregating below. Plus, the moment will be incredibly Instagram-worthy!
A hot air balloon safari in East Africa is one of the best places to propose in Africa, Image Credit: Miracle Experience
3. Watching the Sunrise over a Bubbly Breakfast in Namibia
There’s something utterly romantic about feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere. And choosing to start the day with a sunrise proposal in the world’s oldest desert, followed by a bubbly breakfast, is the stuff romantic dreams are made of. Namibia is a beloved romantic getaway destination, so it only makes sense that it’s one of our top places to propose in Africa.
Propose as the sun rises over the oldest desert in the world
4. Stargazing in the Kalahari, Botswana
Match the stars in your partner’s eyes by setting up a romantic star-lit dinner before asking the big question. You can even continue the romance by sleeping out under the blanket of stars. The Kalahari in Botswana is so remote that the stars glisten so brightly you’ll feel pleasantly disoriented and mesmerised by the sheer magnificence of it. Plus, that ring will sparkle even brighter in this setting!
Propose under the Milky Way
5. Private Dhow Sail Cruise in Zanzibar
Set sail and feel the wind in your hair as you visualise your future together. A traditional dhow boat on the island paradise of Zanzibar Archipelago is the perfect place to propose in Africa.
A romantic dhow cruise for two, Image Credit: Zanzibar Mnemba Island Lodge
6. Fine Dining and Wining in the Cape Winelands, South Africa
The Cape Winelands will entice all your senses, from its carpets of sun-soaked vineyards to its award-winning wines and haute cuisine – and your romantic proposal will be the cherry on top.
Ready for romance in the Cape Winelands?
7. Gliding Along the Okavango Delta in a Mokoro, Botswana
Embrace Mother Nature and all of her sights, sounds and smells on a traditional mokoro excursion, reminiscent of Venice’s gondolas. Botswana is so sparsely populated but packed with wildlife, making you feel like you’re the only two people on earth, which is why it’s one of our personal favourite romantic destinations in Africa.
A mokoro safari is an incredibly romantic experience
8. Picnic Next to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Zambia
The “Smoke that Thunders” is the world’s largest sheet of falling water, and just being in its presence will make you weak at the knees. Set up a romantic picnic next to Victoria Falls to make your proposal even more romantic.
Sunset at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
9. Island Romance on a Private Beach, Mozambique
Castaway romance awaits in Mozambique, where you can set up a lantern-lit sunset picnic, one of the most romantic settings to propose in Africa – no, the world.
Imagine proposing right here, Image Credit: Royal Zanzibar
10. On Table Mountain Overlooking Views of Cape Town, South Africa
Regardless of the time of day, you can’t go wrong with a proposal on top of the flat-topped Table Mountain, the most iconic mountain in Cape Town.
Africa has so many romantic settings for your proposal
Let’s Plan Your Proposal in Africa
Are you getting excited about your proposal in Africa? You should be! Your significant other will be over the moon if you choose one of our top 10 places to propose in Africa to kickstart the first chapter of your lives together. Contact our Travel Experts today, and they will take care of all the little details so that you only have to focus on the big moment!
Spring has sprung in the southern hemisphere, and the bush is bursting into life. There’s plenty to see and do in Africa this season, but game viewing takes centre stage. So, if you’re looking to stretch out the last of your northern hemisphere summer, here’s where we recommend you go for African travel in September.
African travel in September features Great Migration sightings
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is, without a doubt, Kenya’s most notable reserve. Numerous wildlife documentaries made this wildlife haven internationally famous as the home of one of the oldest pilgrimages in history. Every year the Great Migration sees thousands of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle set off in search of greener pastures in the Serengeti. This incredible natural spectacle flocks to the reserve between July and October. Therefore, this makes Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya an excellent choice for African travel in September.
However, there’s more to the Maasai Mara than the Great Migration. The reserve’s abundant wildlife makes for incredible game viewing, with thriving populations of predators providing memorable sightings. Additionally, guests can expect to be immersed in Maasai culture when hosted in one of the reserve’s luxury safari lodges or camps.
Bush breakfast in the Maasai Mara National Park, Image Credit: Governors Camp
Our Favourite Property: Angama Mara
As soon as you step onto the deck of Angama Mara, you will instantly understand why its name means “suspended in mid-air” in the local Swahili language. It overlooks vast views of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and Maasai Mara Reserve, where the famous Out of Africa was filmed.
This reserve is a popular destination for African travel in September, with plenty of game species in staggering numbers. And if you’re looking for an excellent luxury base for your East African safari, Angama Mara is a perfect fit. It has generous tented suites situated along the two kopjes overlooking arresting views of the rolling valleys. Furthermore, each of these suites features a glass frontage for the ultimate angle of these views. The well-known Mara Triangle is only half an hour away, and you can enjoy plenty of activities, from game drives to local village visits, hot air ballooning and walking safaris. You’re also in control of your schedule, as safaris are entirely flexible.
Sweeping views over the Masaai Mara, Image Credit: Angama Mara Tented Camp
2. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
As the largest and oldest national park in Zimbabwe, it’s only fitting that Hwange is home to one of the largest elephant herds in Africa too. You can explore the variety of wildlife with plenty of activities, from walking and horseback to traditional vehicle-based safaris. Guests can expect to see lion, leopard, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, gemsbok, hyena, wild dog, and more.
Being just an hour’s drive away, Hwange can easily be combined with a visit to Victoria Falls. Hwange should always be near the top of your list when planning African travel in September. The drier months combine the best game viewing opportunities and cooler weather, resulting in the perfect time to visit this wildlife paradise.
Hwange is famous for its elephants
Our Favourite Property: Verney’s Camp
Located in a 10,000ha private concession in Hwange National Park, Verney’s Camp offers an exclusive safari experience in Zimbabwe. With massive teak trees towering over the camp, it’s as leisurely as it’s adventurous.
The area is home to plenty of wildlife, and Verney’s Camp is the best base from which to admire them all. The expert guides will take you out on morning and afternoon game drives, or you can embark on a walking safari. The camp is built with raised decks to give you the best vantage point of the bush. You can choose between the ten twin/double room tents or the two family units, all equipped with en-suite bathrooms.
Soak up the sun and the views at Verney’s Camp, Image Credit: Machaba Safaris
3. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
The Ngorongoro Crater is a must on any East African expedition. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the only intact caldera in the world, is among the best safari destinations on the planet. Varied vegetation ranges from forest to grassland plains, which means the diversity of wildlife species is as vast as it’s abundant. A thriving lion population, endangered black rhinos and cheetah sightings are among the highlights for guests.
While wildlife is undoubtedly the main attraction, cultural visits to Maasai villages are an excellent way to experience one of the world’s most famous cultures first-hand. A variety of lodges set on the crater’s rim provide the ideal base for any visit to the area.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a great place to visit for African travel in September
Our Favourite Property: The Highlands
The Highlands safari camp is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. It’s a wonderfully secluded camp encircled by mountain forests and is a hub of ecological sustainability.
Other than seeing the Great Migration when it’s passing through, this camp is located in a wildlife-rich area. You can expect to see buffalo, leopard, elephant, lion, and black rhino species. When you’re not out on safari game drives or guided walks, you can also go on village visits or embark on birding or photography missions. This camp consists of eight unique canvas dome tents with en-suite bathrooms as well as wood-burning fireplaces.
The Highlands is a unique accommodation with incredible views, Image Credit: Asilia Africa
4. Mozambique, East Africa
When it comes to tropical islands, Mozambique is Africa’s hidden gem. And with five island archipelagos, there’s no shortage of options to choose from. White sands and azure waters await along shorelines dotted with palm trees making this a great way to extend your summer with a dose of African travel in September.
Mozambique is attractive to travellers because of its off-the-beaten-track appeal, which takes them far from the crowds. Furthermore, marine life enthusiasts are in for a treat with a wide variety of species seen from above and below the Indian Ocean’s surface. Couple this with easy accessibility to other African safari destinations, and it’s a must to consider when planning your next trip.
Mozambique is a dreamy destination for African travel in September
Our Favourite Property: &Beyond Benguerra Island Lodge
&Beyong Benguerra Island Lodge is a lush forested island with pearly beaches and crystal clear warm water. It’s located on Mozambique’s Bazaruto archipelago and is a perfect Indian Ocean island destination for African travel in September. As the second-largest in the archipelago, there’s plenty to explore on land and underwater. Diving and snorkelling are exciting as you can expect incredible underwater sightings. But if you prefer to stay dry, you can go on scenic boat rides.
The lodge consists of casinhas and cabanas, expertly blending Portuguese and Mozambican design. Fresh seafood is a daily delight on the menu. And you can get massaged silly at the onsite massage sala after a day of busy exploring or lazy lounging.
Your home in Mozambique for African travel in September, Image Credit: &Beyong Benguerra Island
Start Planning for Your African Travel in September
Slip away on an African holiday with the World’s Leading Safari Company today. Our African Travel Experts have travelled all over our continent. Therefore, they know each of these destinations, properties and activities like an elephant knows its trunk! Contact them today, and let’s start planning your African travel in September!
If you liked this blog, you might also like:
Featured Image Credit: &Beyond
Benguerra Island
There is something terribly exciting about losing yourself in the crumbling carcass of a shipwreck. Each wreck is tale of storms and scuttled hulls. The treasure found in these skeletons are not gems and gold, but equally special with colourful coral, nudibranchs and vibrant marine life. We’ve adventured along Africa’s coast to find the most beautiful, most interesting shipwrecks and wreck dives in Africa.
The 3 different types of wreck diving
Wreck diving is often subdivided into three types:
- non-penetration: swimming over and around the wreck,
- limited penetration: going into an overhead environment, subject to a limit of about 40 metres cumulative linear distance to surface (which really just means the depth plus length of penetration),
- full penetration: going deeper into the overhead environment in the wreck.
Our Top 10 Wreck Dives in Africa
1. The Maori
The Maori is located between Hout Bay and Llandudno, in the Cape Peninsula, about 75 metres offshore. The Maori’s history is a fascinating one – the ship was carrying a cargo of explosives, water piping and crockery from London to New Zealand when it crashed into the rocks in thick fog on 5 August 1909. Though the marine life is not as colourful as on other dives, The Maori is renowned for its historical value and divers can expect to see bits of porcelain and bottles still located in this sunken treasure.
2. The Paquita
Knsyna Heads is a magnificent setting for a scuba diving adventure. The Paquita, a German vessel, sank on the eastern side of the Knysna Heads way back in 1903. Divers exploring the Paquita wreck can go as far as 16 metres below the surface. The wreck remains in excellent condition. Its iron plates still glimmer brightly and its anchors are clearly visible, despite sitting at the bottom of the ocean for over a century. Divers can expect to see the famous Knysna seahorses, nudibranchs, blacktails and an assortment of other fish.
What’s scuttling?
No, we’re not talking about crabs this time. Scuttling is the act of deliberately sinking a ship by allowing water to flow into the hull. This can be achieved in several ways—valves or hatches can be opened to the sea, or holes may be ripped into the hull with force or explosives. Scuttling is often done to provide an artificial reef for divers and marine life.
3. Smitswinkel Bay Wrecks
The wrecks in Smitswinkel Bay off the Cape Peninsula were scuttled by the navy to form artificial reefs, a sort of haven for divers. And what a haven it is! You will find the SAS Transvaal and SAS Good Hope – former navy frigates, the Rockeater – a diamond dredger, which lies deep (at 36m) and boasts an abundance of life and colour; and two fishing trawlers – The Princess Elizabeth and The Oratava. Teeming with fish, nudibranch and coral life, the wrecks are fairly deep, which means that artificial light is needed to see the wonderful colours of the marine life.
4. The Produce
The Produce was travelling from Durban, South Africa, headed south when it struck the Aliwal Shoal in 1974. The old cargo vessel was allegedly thought to be carrying molasses. The Produce is 119m long and lies facing North. The vessel is home to a host of Giant Brindle Bass, which are massive fish about 3m long, and 1.5m wide – spotting one of these giants is a treat in itself. This dive is considered to be the crowning jewel of the Aliwal Shoal dive sites on a good day.
5. The Klipfontein
The Klipfontein shipwrecked off the coast of Mozambique in 1953 after hitting a reef off Zavora beach. With a depth of between 34m and 52m, Klipfontein lies about 6km offshore, roughly halfway between the deep offshore reef system and the red and white sands system. In her prime she was 160m long but split in two on her descent into the depths. Both parts of the wreck offer stunning deep water artificial reef dives. It’s definitely worth a dive.
6. SS Paraportiani
The SS Parapotiani is a fascinating dive. The 300 ft-long cargo vessel lies in less than 60 feet of water, off the Panza Reef at the southern tip of Pemba Island, Zanzibar. What makes this dive unique is that fact that the ship’s stern is still largely intact and her broken superstructure is now embedded in the sand. This is a shallow dive and perfect for novice divers. The skeleton of this vessel is alive with elegant lionfish, colourful anemone and starfish who have made the reef their home.
7. Ennerdale wreck
Ennerdale Wreck lies off the coast of Mahé – the largest island in the Seychelles. She went down in 1970 when she struck a pair of uncharted granite pinnacles off Mahé island. This is a tricky dive, but worth the challenge and recommended for more advanced divers. With a maximum depth of around 30m, the site is known for its abundance and variety of tropical fish and marine life, just waiting to be explored.
8. Djabeda Wreck
The Djabeda wreck is a Japanese fishing boat, sunk just off the Coin de Mire (Gunner’s coin) Island on the north coast of Mauritius in 1998. The wreck has been only slightly damaged over the years and debris can be seen strewn across the sandy ocean bed. The vessel is approximately 44m long, 10m high and 5m wide and stands upright in a maximum of 34m depth. As part of the dive you will pass some wreck parts, some of which are kept safe by giant morays. Look out for the huge anchor. On the dive you are likely to see an amazing coral garden rich with soft corals, schooling fish, king fish, moray eels, trigger fish, stone fish, lion fish, parrot fish, leaf fish and sea slugs – and if you’re lucky barracuda, sting rays and dolphins.
9. Stella Maru
The Stella Maru is a Japanese trawler that was sunk in 1987 by the Mauritius Conservation society to create an artificial reef. The Stella Maru wreck lies upright on a sand bottom, next to a rocky reef at an average depth of 23 metres. Unlike many other wrecks, the ship lies virtually intact on the ocean floor, offering divers a remarkable, unrivalled sight as they descend toward it. Other attractions are the giant moray eels and the number of bottom-dwelling creatures lying unseen around the wreck or in cervices and recesses in the coral patches surrounding it.
10. Mitsio
For those looking for nighttime wreck dives in Africa, The Mitsio off Madagascar’s Nosy Be coastline is the ideal African wreck dive. Down at 25m, the wreck is home to throngs of lion and devil fire fish, arrow crabs and a dazzling honeycomb moray, hiding on the starboard side. It is a colourful, vibrant dive, as the coral growth on the wreck, which sank in 2008, provides a home to a plethora of species and an exceptional diving event.
Let’s go discover the best wreck dives in Africa!
Start your underwater safari today! Let Rhino Africa tailor-make your African holiday of a lifetime to suit your budget, needs and style. One of our experienced consultants will give you all the inside information to ensure you get the best possible wreck dives in Africa. Get your flippers on and contact us today!
- In case you missed the first installment of our Underwater Series – read Africa Underwater: Our Top 5 Reefs in South Africa.