Boutique hotels in Mozambique

Mozambique has more than 2,500 kilometers of Indian Ocean coastline, with warm water, long beaches and reefs. Its boutique stays are small and often remote, from thatched island lodges to restored Portuguese houses.

Archipelagos

The Bazaruto Archipelago, off Vilanculos, is a marine park of dunes, sandbanks and coral, with a few high-end lodges on islands such as Benguerra. In the far north, the Quirimbas has islands with old Portuguese towns, such as Ibo, and small camps on the mainland coast.

The southern coast

Inhambane and Tofo are known for diving with manta rays and whale sharks, and beach lodges stretch along the coast. Ponta do Ouro, near the South African border, is a laid-back dive and dolphin spot, while Maputo is a lively capital with Art Deco buildings and seafood.

History and wildlife

Ilha de Moçambique, a UNESCO-listed island town, preserves centuries of Portuguese, Swahili and Arab architecture. Gorongosa National Park, restored after the civil war, is a major conservation success. Lake Niassa, on the northwest border, offers remote beach retreats.

When to go

May to November is the dry season and best for most of the country. The Quirimbas and the north can be hot from October onward, and the wet season, December to April, brings cyclone risk.