Mozambique: A New Bush to Beach Safari
Mozambique is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering the best bang for your buck bush to beach safaris in Africa. It’s perfect for honeymooners or safari veterans looking to support conservation work while exploring new parts of Africa.
There is only space for a few dozen visitors in the million-acre preserve.
You’ll safari in Gorongosa National Park, once Africa’s premier safari destination until a civil war denuded it. Recently, through dedicated conservation work, the Mozambique government, in partnership with the Carr Foundation, has brought the park close to its former glory, and it is starting to emerge as an enticing safari option for those looking to get away from the crowds. There is only space for a few dozen visitors in the million-acre preserve.
The safari camps in Gorongosa National Park are closed from December through March for the rainy season. Because of flight schedules, this itinerary works best as a Monday to Friday four-night safari. However, if you want to stay for an extended safari at two camps, you can stay for a week to get two nights free and experience unique conservation activities.
The beach portion of this trip is on Benguerra Island, our favorite barefoot luxury beach destination in Africa. The new Marlin Beach lodge offers a luxury level of comfort with a more than reasonable price tag. Both the safari and beach portions of the trip can be done for under $800 per person per night (not including airfare and extras).
Because of flight timing, your first night in Africa will likely be at the Johannesburg airport. Fortunately, the Intercontinental Hotel is perfectly comfortable and walkable from the terminal, allowing you to rest after your international flight.
In the morning, catch a flight to Beira, Mozambique. From there, take a short flight to Gorongosa National Park (35 min – Scheduled flight Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
Your destination is either Chicari Camp (starting at $715 per person per night) or Muzimu Lodge (starting at $950 per person per night). Chicari is an immersive seasonal camp situated near a waterhole for excellent wildlife sightings from your canvas tent. Muzimu is permanently located on a river oxbow and offers more amenities, including wooden decks, spacious tented rooms, and a pool in the main area. These camps combine well for an extended stay for a mix of comfort and adventure.
Settle into your tent just in time for an afternoon game drive and sundowner.
The one million acres of Gorongosa National Park’s diverse landscape, encompassing grasslands, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and mountains, offers a range of activities unmatched anywhere in Africa. Twice daily game drives are standard, with limited off-roading for special sightings allowed, as well as excellent walking safaris. In April and May, if water levels allow, you can also do canoe and boat safaris. Through conservation efforts, the park now has over 10,000 large animals, including Africa’s largest herds of waterbuck. Elephant, lion, and wild dog populations are also quite healthy.
In addition to standard safari activities, Gorongosa also offers some unique conservation activities that make it stand out. Guests staying over five nights can hike Mount Gorongosa and visit the community coffee farms on its slopes. Tours with conservationists and scientists of the pangolin rescue project and E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Lab are also available.
In the morning, fly from Gorongosa to Vilankulos, Mozambique (1.5hrs – Scheduled flight Monday to Friday). There you will catch a helicopter to Azura Marlin Beach (starting at $750 per person per night), the sister property of Azura Benguerra Island, a longtime Fauna favorite. The helicopter ride over the crystal blue waters and shifting sandbars will be one of the highlights of your trip.
Your luxury villa, designed with African and Portuguese influences, is just steps from the beach and has a stunning view over the water. A private Mozambican butler will take care of you for the entirety of your stay.
Benguerra Island is our favorite place in Africa for an ocean adventure to rinse off after your safari. The Indian Ocean offers excellent fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling with vibrant marine life – and even humpback whales (June through October).
You can island hop and explore massive dunes by boat or get to know the locals. They deliver fresh catches to the restaurant daily, so you’ll be eating some of the best seafood of your life. And you can feel good about your stay, knowing that the hotel invests in community schools through their Rainbow Fund.
Take one last epic helicopter flight to Vilankulos airport in the morning for your connecting flight home.
Mozambique is experiencing unrest, but any violence has been limited to the northern part of the country. Tourists continue to visit the Bazaruto archipelago and Gorongosa National Park safely.
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