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Adventure Sports.
From kayaking among the mangroves to tracking elephants at dusk, Northern
Mozambique is a playground for those seeking a bit of adventure. Wild and
undiscovered, the shoreline of Lake Niassa offers ample opportunity to explore
its hidden coves. And the warm waters of the Indian Ocean - from the Quirimbas
Archipelago down to Nacala Bay and Ilha de Moçambique - are ideal for water
sports.
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Hunting Safaris. The Niassa
Reserve - which is twice the size of Kruger Park - caters primarily to hunting
safaris. Predators - such as lion and leopard - are abundant in the Reserve as
are elephant (over 12,000 estimated) and sable antelope (over 9,000 estimated).
Other dangerous animals include buffalo, hippopotamus and crocodile. The
protected area also has endemic species - such as the Niassa wildebeest. |
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Birding . From
the Giant Kingfisher around Lake Niassa to the Taita Falcon in the Niassa
Reserve and the Fish Eagle in the Quirimbas Archipelago, Northern Mozambique
offers the opportunity to spot rare species in a pristine setting. Viewing is
best during the hotter rainy season in November and December. |
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Photographic Safaris. With
a rich and diverse collection of wildlife (including elephant, sable antelope,
lion, leopard, spotted hyena, and African wild dog), the Niassa Reserve offers
significant opportunities for photographic safaris. From August to November,
photographers can also capture breaching whales along the coast. |
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Snorkelling and Scuba Diving.
Freshwater Lake Niassa, with its glass-like visibility and over 1,000 species
of fish, is a haven for snorkellers and divers. And along the Northern
Mozambican coast, diving is possible year round. Water temperatures even top a
balmy 29 Degrees Celsius in the summer (November through March), although the
water gets murky during the rainy season of January and February. Divers are
able to see frogfish, leaffish, harlequin shrimps, seahorses, ribbon eels,
nudibranchs and ghost pipefish while giant sunfish hover above during the
months of April & May. |
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Walking. Lodges - such as
Vamizi, Guludo, and Nkwichi
- offer guided and self-guided walks of varying lengths, during which visitors
can discover first-hand the unique flora and fauna of this region. |
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Whale Watching . From August to
November, visitors can spot humpback whales in the area, as they make their way
down the African coast.
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Arts and Crafts .
Ilha de Moçambique and Ibo Island are both home to local silversmiths who
create jewellery using intricate, Arab-influenced techniques. And throughout
Northern Mozambique, the Makonde people carve intricate wooden sculptures -
unique to this part of the world. |
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Charter Fishing .
The stunning St. Lazarus Banks, a submarine plateau stretching 30 kilometres
long and 20 kilometres wide, is about 90 kilometres off the coast and offers
superb fishing - particularly for the elusive dogtooth tuna. |
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Cultural and Historical Tours.
Northern Mozambique has a wealth of cultural, religious and historical
monuments - from old Anglican cathedrals dotting the shores of Lake Niassa to
the imposing Portuguese forts on Ilha de Moçambique and Ibo Island, which bear
testament to the region's former stature as a leading Indian Ocean trading
post. Many lodges also offer visits to nearby villages, where visitors can
experience local traditions (such as the distinctive white paste used by the
Makua women to protect their faces), music and dance. |
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Island Tours. The Quirimbas
Archipelago - which includes 32 coral islands extending from Pemba to the
Tanzanian border - is ideal for island-hopping. A visit to historic Ibo Island
is a must. Alternatively, visitors to Lake Niassa can take the
MV IIala Ferry, a 620-ton vessel operated by the Malawi Lake Services
to nearby Likoma Island (Malawi).
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Relaxing. From the
full-service resort hotels in Pemba to the island resorts, there is no shortage
of places to relax in Northern Mozambique. The soft white sands of the
Quirimbas islands are perfect for sunbathing. Alternatively, the freshwater
Lake Niassa offers a refreshing (and salt free) respite from the hot African
sun. |
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Sailing. Excursions
on a wooden dhow give the visitor a taste of the region's former glory as a
centre of East African maritime trade and a unique way to explore Northern
Mozambique's stunning coastline. For those looking for a bit more luxury,
several companies offer luxury yacht cruising among the Quirimbas islands. |