Island Hopping

This unique island hopping tour is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful Qurimbas Archipelago in Northern Mozambique. Your adventure begins on Ibo Island, where you have two nights at Ibo Island Lodge with a rooftop restaurant and great views. Ibo was once an important trading centre with 16th century forts and ruins to explore. Your guides will give you chance to meet local people and observe their unique island culture and way of life that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

Your dhow awaits, with its experienced crew. Dhow travel has a long established history in this area and is the only way to travel between the islands. Sit back and enjoy the cruise, the crystal clear waters and beautiful island scenery. During your cruise you will have plenty of opportunities to swim and snorkel. Kayaks can also be taken along if you wish to use them. These waters have some fabulous coral reefs, and you may also see dolphins, turtles and myriads of fish. This region is also rich in bird life, storks, egrets and heron abound. Discover idyllic island beaches and mangrove forests. You'll meet local fishermen and see rural fishing villages on the various islands in the archipelago.

Beach camps will be set up by the crew. These are fully serviced camps - the crew will handle all camp duties leaving you free to relax and enjoy the peace of each special location. All camping and catering equipment is included. Although the facilities will be limited, all camps will offer hot showers. Enjoy delicious meals, freshly cooked over the open fire under the stars. Shade cloth is erected at campsites and for lunch stops on sand banks to shade you from the tropical sun. You will experience a tranquility rarely found in the 21st century and take away precious memories of this unique region and its inhabitants.

The itinerary normally includes stops at Matemo Island, Ulumbwa Island and Mongundula Island with side trips to include Rolas Island where you can find the largest species of land crab in the coral rock forest.

Gallery and trip information

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Included

Meet and greet in Pemba; light aircraft transfer to Ibo Island; 2 nights accommodation at Ibo Island Lodge; guided tour of Ibo Island; 6 days on board a traditional (motorised) dhow; 5 nights in non-participation beach camps; services of an experienced Portuguese and English speaking crew; all camping and catering equipment for island camps; meals as specified; vehicle transfer to Pemba

Not included

International flights; meals not specified; all drinks, personal bar account and bottled water; Mozambique arrival, departure, airport, hotel and government taxes; sanctuary and national park fees; optional activities and excursions not specified; visas; travel insurance

Best time

Dry season is April to early December, rainy season from mid December to March. Rainy season is hot and humid but sunny everyday, rain is usually brief heavy showers. Diving conditions are excellent Feb - April. Dry season is hot in the day with pleasant evenings, less humidity than rainy season.

Getting there

There are no direct flights from the UK to Pemba, but there are connections via Johannesburg or Dar es Salaam. Note that these schedules do not operate daily, so we will do our best to fit with your date requirements but please be flexible!

Weather and highlights

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- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Rain
- Rain
- Heavy rain
- Heavy rain
- Heavy rain
- Cloudy
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Rain
- Rain

Min Temp

- 20
- 20
- 20
- 20
- 20
- 18
- 18
- 18
- 20
- 20
- 20
- 20

Max Temp

- 31
- 31
- 32
- 31
- 30
- 24
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- 30
- 30
- 30
- 30

Spend lazy days aboard your own Arab dhow.
Swim and snorkel in the clear turquoise waters.
Meet the friendly local people.
Enjoy freshly cooked seafood under the stars.
Explore ancient Ibo Island with its fascinating history.

Itinerary

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Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Day 1 You will be met at Pemba airport and a light aircraft flight takes you over the islands to Ibo Island, for a 2 night stay at Ibo Island Lodge. Settle in to the relaxed pace of life and enjoy a sundowner on the rooftop restaurant. (D)
Day 2 You have a guided tour of Ibo island, with its fascinating ghost town and ruins of the once thriving trade centre. You'll also meet the locals and get to experience their way of life. In the afternoon you can take part in an optional kayak excursion or simply relax at the lodge by one of the pools or in the lovely gardens. (B,L,D)
Day 3 You set off on your dhow cruise today! Meet the friendly crew, who will be looking after you for the next 6 days and acquaint yourself with the Arab dhow you will come to know well. The dhow will head for the south of Matemo island, where your first beach camp will be set up for you. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Today you will sail to the Darumba river mouth and Ulumbwa Island for two nights. There will be opportunities to swim and snorkel en route. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the scenery. (B,L,D)
Day 5 A side trip today to little Rojas Island. This is another excellent snorkelling location and the white sandy peninsular is a perfect swimming base. According to local legend, the island is owned by the sacred, resident coconut crabs, the largest species of land crabs. If you are lucky enough to meet 'old man coconut crab' maybe you'll venture into the Rolas Coral Rock Forest to see some of these crabs for yourself! (B,L,D)
Day 6 Today's sailing brings you to lovely Mogundula Island, where you will spend the next 2 nights. This is a great base from which to explore. The locals know it as the island with the sacred lake, and it provides good bird watching, swimming from the sandbank and superb snorkelling. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Today is spent either further exploring Mogundula Island or taking a day trip to the Pangane Peninsula and/or Makaloe Island. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Departing early this morning, you head for Mocojo on the mainland, where you say goodbye to the dhow and her crew and are transferred to Pemba airport for your onward flight. (B)

Please note this itinerary is provided as a guide only and will need to be totally flexible and is weather and tide dependent.

Pricing guidelines for Mozambique

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £700 to £900 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). Return flights from Joburg to Pemba (in northern Mozambique) will add on roughly £400. Mozambique combines well with South Africa, Malawi and southern Tanzania.

For each accommodation on this website you will find an indication of the price. The bands are based on the price per person per night at peak season and are represented by the following values for this country:
	£50 to £150
	£150 to £300
	£300 to £500
	£500 to £800
	Over £800

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
1 week staying on the Bazaruto ArchipelagoFrom about £1500 +
1 week on the coast or on islands in the north (including the Quirimbas)Between £1500 and £3000
2 week safari and beach holiday in the northFrom about £4000 +

Mozambique