Family Safari Holidays in Mozambique
Mozambique can be a great destination for family holidays and Africa’s finest beach destination, but care must be taken to choose the right places to stay.
Imagine waking up to crystal-clear turquoise waters and miles of powder-white sand, knowing you’ll spend the day snorkelling amongst kaleidoscopic corals, cantering horseback along the beach to the sound of lapping waves, or deep-sea fishing on the Indian Ocean. Planned correctly, Mozambique is a wonderful destination for family holidays.
Why Choose Mozambique for Your Family Safari Holiday?
Beaches
Mozambique’s flawless Robinson Crusoe-style beaches consistently wow visitors with soft, powdery sand and clear, blue ocean, which sparkles in the sunlight. Whether you’re on foot or horseback, miles of tropical, palm-fringed oceanfront make this a gorgeous beach destination with plenty to explore, notably the astonishing coral reefs, a diver’s paradise.
Family-Friendly Accommodation
Mozambique provides a range of family-friendly accommodations suitable for varying budgets and group sizes. Those seeking the ultimate luxury and privacy should consider one of the island’s exclusive-use villas, some with heated swimming pools, tennis courts, games rooms, gyms, and private boats. Family-style properties ensure action-packed days with plenty of fun activities.
Varied Activities
Those who thrive on laidback island life with days on the beach or out on the ocean will love Mozambique. There’s plenty to keep the whole family engaged, from deep sea fishing, sunset cruises, island explorations, and beach picnics to whale watching, stargazing, and horse riding. Diving here is world class, while snorkelling amongst shallow reefs introduces beginners to the magic of life underwater.
Island Life
Mozambique’s gentle pace appeals to families seeking roll-on-the-beach relaxation, pared-down luxury, and zero formality. Whether you spend your days out on a boat or reading a book on a sunlounger, Mozambique is a true fly-and-flop destination where you’re encouraged to slow down and disconnect. Dine under the stars with your feet in the sand, take the kids snorkelling, curl up in a hammock, or stroll along the beach – the choice is yours.
Wildlife
Mozambique is home to one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse marine conservation areas. Dolphins frolic on the southern and western coasts year-round, while during the summer, sea turtles come to the eastern shores to breed. Pristine coral reefs teem with life, including king mackerel, giant trevally, pufferfish, sting rays, moray eels, and seahorses. And keen birders had better pack those binos, as there are plenty of highlights, including the pink-backed pelican, mangrove kingfisher, crab-plover, and lesser crested tern.
Best Time To Visit
Mozambique has a subtropical climate, characterised by a dry season between May and October and a hot, rainy season from December to March. The best time to view marine life is from July to October during the humpback whale migration season or November to December for turtle nesting. If it’s pure post-safari beach bliss you’re after, May and June are ideal, as you’ll have perfect conditions for sunbathing, scuba diving, and fishing. However, as Mozambique is easily accessed from South Africa, school holidays attract many more visitors, so do keep in mind that half-term and end-of-year breaks are busy!
Family Activities
Deep-Sea Fishing
Whale Watching
Swimming With Horses
Scuba Diving
Snorkelling
Dugong Spotting
Adventure Freediving Course
Beach Picnics
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Mozambique offers incredible deep-sea fishing, and a day spent on the water is a highlight activity. Head off with your fishing guide, and try your hand catching black marlin, sailfish, tuna, barracuda, dorado, and even giant trevally, sometimes weighing up to 25kg.
Between July and October each year, Humpback whales pass through Mozambique’s Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos as part of their migration route from the freezing waters of the Antarctic. This is a splendid marine experience as you’ll witness these majestic creatures frolic in the warm Indian Ocean waters.
Swimming with horses is a magical way to connect with nature. Designed for all ages and riding levels, it involves splashing through the shallow Indian Ocean waves against a tropical island backdrop. This activity is seasonal, depending on the weather and tides, so please ask for further details.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the Indian Ocean’s most biodiverse marine conservation areas. With various depths to suit all levels, scuba diving is offered at several lodges, including Azura Benguerra, which has its own fully equipped PADI 5-Star dive centre, a training pool, and a full range of courses.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is perfect for snorkelling in shallower waters amongst colourful coral reefs and myriad tropical fish species. Some lodges even offer snorkelling courses, ideal for those not seeking scuba diving accreditation.
Endemic to the Indian Ocean, the Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the only places to see the rare and endearingly gentle dugong, otherwise known as the ‘sea cow’. These large, herbivorous creatures are rarely seen, so you’ll be lucky to catch one! Nevertheless, there’s so much marine life to marvel at, that a dugong sighting is merely the icing on the cake.
Guests at Colina Verde are in for a treat with an adventure freediving course led by TV personality and conservationist Andy Coetzee. Subject to availability and at an additional cost, the course covers the basics of safe recreational freediving, allowing marine enthusiasts to explore the reefs and encounter an array of sea life, including dolphins, sharks, and turtles.
Mozambique’s beaches set the perfect scene for a feet-in-the-sand picnic lunch on your own secluded stretch of tropical beach. Relax with a cold drink, gazing at the aqua-blue waves as a delicious meal is served under a shady awning. Perhaps finish off with a leisurely stroll along the beach or a refreshing dip in the ocean.
Where to Go
Best Lodges for Families
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Azura Benguerra
From AU$2,054 – AU$2,054 ppIts sister property, Azura Quilalea in the Quirimbas Archipelago, is another contender for the top beach lodge in Mozambique but there is no denying that this lodge offers the easiest access from both Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park region. An…
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Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort Spa
From AU$808 – AU$1,148 ppOne of only two hotels on the northern Bazaruto Island, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa feels like a resort you’d find in the Mediterranean! It’s fabulous for families, particularly those with young children. Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa was…
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Colina Verde
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsIf you’re looking for an exclusive-use beach property away from the crowds, this family-run retreat, complete with private chef, may be ideal. Colina Verde is an understated, luxury home that can house 6 to 18 guests, with seven rooms all decorated in their…
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Kisawa Sanctuary
From AU$6,063 – AU$6,530 ppKisawa Sanctuary is one of the finest beach properties on the East African coast. Located on the idyllic shores of Benguerra Island, Kisawa is the ultimate private escape and the epitome of understated luxury and elegant design. Mozambique is a world-class…
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Benguerra Island
From AU$2,125 – AU$2,125 ppAlthough Benguerra Lodge is the oldest lodge in the area, it is a wonderfully characterful old lodge that has long been one of our Bazaruto favourites. The area is famous for its fabulous white beaches, excellent fishing and first-class scuba diving and…
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Azura Marlin Beach
From AU$1,176 – AU$1,176 ppAzura Marlin Beach is a barefoot luxury boutique property occupying an idyllic setting on Benguerra Island, surrounded by powder-white sand and translucent turquoise sea. A redevelopment of the original Marlin Lodge, Azura’s latest venture presents the…
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Santorini Mozambique
From AU$1,006 – AU$1,006 ppSantorini Mozambique is a privately owned and run Greek villa-style property, open year-round. The main villa can be booked for exclusive use, and three additional private villas are ideal for families. It’s easy to access and in close proximity to the…
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Machangulo Beach Lodge
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsService standards at Machangulo are very impressive. The warmth of the initial welcome continues throughout the stay, with all staff proving very attentive. Generally this is a very family-friendly setting, with babysitting services available for parents to…
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