Stay : Gorongosa Safari and Southern Beaches

Depending on the time you have, the city is well worth a day or two of visit. Its large tree-lined avenues, its bay and waterfront, its colonial buildings make it one of the most beautiful capitals on the black continent. Very mixed, influenced by Brazilian telenovelas (television series), dynamic, warm, we sometimes feel like we're on the Rio side. A stroll in the lower city, another in the upper city, without missing the fishing village of the Costa do Sol, will already fill your days well. In the evening, take a stroll down Bagamoyo Street, renowned for its nightlife.

Plan a 5h30 drive along the coast. After the stop in Tofo, a small fishing village where it is nice to stroll, you will arrive on one of the most beautiful white sandy beaches on the coast: Barra. If you are with your family or in a group, bet on Barra. Young people will prefer Tofo and Tofinho (the small beach of Tofo).

Diving, snorkeling, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, catamaran, excursions on foot or horseback, beach volley, quad... In Barra, you can do everything. Lodges and resorts themselves offer a variety of activities.

Second day on the beach of Barra. 

From Barra, it takes about 6 hours by car to reach Vilanculos, a fishing village, punctuated by tides and sunshine. Fishing for crustaceans is one of the favourite activities of the inhabitants who rush to the beaches as soon as the sea retreats. Vilanculos, logically, is famous for its crabs, giant shrimps and lobsters. Don't miss the smells, colours and liveliness of the market either. A delight. Vilanculos is also a huge, wild and impressive bay, lined with coconut palms and filaos... With the Bazaruto archipelago off the coast calling for dreams

The archipelago, located opposite Vilanculos, has been classified as a nature reserve since 1971. It is an area populated by birds (about 120 species compete for land). On one side, the bay with its crystal clear and shallow waters; on the other, the turbulent ocean. A coral reef protects a lagoon, ideal for diving and observing all kinds of multicoloured fish. As for accommodation, there is something for everyone, but only luxury in perspective for well-stocked wallets. Fortunately, day trips are possible from Vilanculos

Take a day off. Don't hesitate to leave the day to arrive early in the afternoon. Outside the park, at 15 km, the Girassol Hotel offers bungalows at $ 140 and tents at $ 12. Gorongosa Adventures is also a good address for small budgets.

Two three-hour safaris are available: one in the morning (departure at 6am) and the other in the afternoon (departure between 2pm and 3pm). We recommend the morning one, which allows you to see as many animals as possible. A driver-guide will accompany you in one of the vehicles in the fleet. Very good explanations (fauna and flora) in English or Portuguese. Minimum 2 people. Children under 10 years old are not allowed; for the latter, game drives are available with closed car.

Gorongosa National Park is located 200 km from Beira (about 3 hours by car). If you have rented a vehicle from Maputo, you can consider returning it to Beira and from there take an domestic flight.