Ten reasons to visit Mozambique
Nov 16th, 2011 by wwftravel
Local women from a village in Quirimbas © Tanya Petersen / WWF-Canon
Seldom considered a tourist destination, the coastal East African nation of Mozambique has a great deal to offer to the nature traveler. Here are ten reasons among the many to visit the “land of smiles.”
1. Pink sand and turquoise waters. Mozambique’s beaches are the definition of paradise, yet so few tourists visit them. Many remain completely free of tall resort hotels and other view-wrecking infrastructure.
2. Whale sharks. Punta da Barra is considered to be one of the best whale shark-viewing spots in the world; the largest fish in the world is present year-round in this area. Other biggies to look out for: manta and devil rays, loggerhead and green sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins.
3. Dhow boats. Traditional Arab sailing vessels, dhows add an excellent element to seascape photography. Their patchwork-style sails contrast well against the turquoise of the sea.
4. WWF projects. WWF helped establish Quirimbas National Park in Mozambique—the largest marine protected area in Africa—through a community-driven process.
5. Undeveloped islands. The country includes several islands with no shops or cars, which are perfect for exploration on foot.
6. Beautiful architecture. The Chapel of Our Lady on Ilha de Mozambique—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is the oldest European building in the southern hemisphere.
7. Maputo. The country’s capital is home to important landmarks, such as the 1787 Portuguese Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
8. Fish, fish and more fish. More than 1,200 species of fish can be found off the coast of Mozambique, from gobies to mammoth Napoleon wrasses.
9. Culture. Mozambique blends its African heritage with the influence of colonial rule (it was a colony of Portugal until 1975).
10. Inhaca Island. Its four distinct ecosystems make it a natural habitat for more than 300 bird species and, beneath its warm waters, 160 species of staghorn and plate corals. It’s one of the most popular spots on coastal East Africa to snorkel and scuba dive.
Join WWF’s Mozambique Odyssey, March 4 – 21, 2011.
