Mozambican must-dos
1. Eat at the Costa Do Sol
If you’re driving to Inhambane or Vilankulo from Joburg, stay overnight in Maputo and have dinner on the terrace at the Costa Do Sol, a legendary restaurant on the outskirts of the city. Warm breezes gust across the bay, reggae floats in from the car park across the street and the prawns just keep coming. It’s the perfect way to get into the holiday groove.
2. Park and swim at Inharrime
Travelling north along the EN1, have a look out for a gigantic freshwater lake about 80 km before Inhambane. Where the road passes the tiny settlement of Inharrime, pull off, grab your towel and head down to the lake for a swim. The water is clear, clean, and will wash away the cabin fever you might be experiencing after being cooped up behind the wheel all day. It’s probably a good idea to do relays so that someone can watch the car while the others have a dip.
3. Snorkel with a whale shark
A large number of whale sharks ply the coast off Tofo throughout the year. Book yourself on a “blue safari” at one of the dive shops in town (expect to pay about R350) and hope for the best. If you’re lucky, the skipper will spot one, your heart will leap into your mouth and before you know it you’ll be face to face with one of the most spectacular animals in the sea. To snorkel with one of these gentle giants is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
4. Have a beer at Bamboozi’s beach bar in September
About 2 km north of Tofo you’ll find a backpacker paradise called Bamboozi. It gets very full during the South African holiday season, when tie-dyed hordes in beat-up bakkies descend, but if you’re lucky enough to be in Mozambique in September (the best month to visit) then you’ll be guaranteed a cold 2M beer at Bamboozi’s beach bar high on a dune overlooking the Indian Ocean (the fridges tend to pack up when the hordes arrive). Listen to the chilled music, sit back and enjoy the view.
5. Catch a dhow to Magaruque Island
Sadly, most of the Bazaruto archipelago has been nibbled up by greedy hotel developers. If you’re staying in Vilankilo on the mainland, it’s not easy to visit Bazaruto or Benguerra for the day, but it’s still possible to catch a dhow and sail the old fashioned way to Magaruque, one of the less glamorous islands in the archipelago. It takes about an hour to get there and you’ll spend about three hours on the island. Pack your snorkel and your sunscreen and buy a crayfish in Vilankulo before you leave – your dhow crew will gladly prepare it for you for lunch.
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