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Bazaruto Area
It was rumours of beautiful pearls that attracted the Portuguese
here in the 1700s. They exploited them freely until the early
1900s when a hurricane covered the oyster beds in thick layers
of sand. Today you will find strings of beautiful islands, long
white beaches dotted with pansy shells, excellent diving reefs
and superb fishing for kingfish and marlin. These features have
made places like Vilanculos, the Bazaruto Archipelago and Inhassoro
the tourism heart of Mozambique. The area is connected to the
south by a newly constructed tarred road and the international
airport at Vilanculos. The Bazaruto Area is part of the Inhambane
Province - a large slab of coast, inland lakes and forest with
an estimated 1,25 million inhabitants. These are largely Chope
and Tsonga people who make a living fishing and growing coconut
palms and cashew nut trees.
The Bazaruto Archipelago
If you plan to visit one destination in Mozambique this chain
of islands should be it. One of Mozambique's most famous national
parks and tourist facilities on southern coast, the main islands
making up the archipelago are Santa Carolina, Bazaruto, Benguerra
and Magaruque. They offer activities such as diving, surfing,
fishing and other water sports in the clear blue waters. The
islands are geared towards luxury tourism with accommodation
in top end lodges, and are covered with large sand dunes,
fresh water lakes and also home to small herds of red duiker
antelope as well as freshwater Crocodiles and samango monkeys.
Bazaruto Island
The largest in the Bazaruto Archipelago, this island consists
of towering dunes and large inland lakes frequented by many
water birds and even crocodiles. There is a hundred-year-old
lighthouse on the northern point, and serves as a signal to
the many ships which pass by the channel up the east coast
of Africa. Bazaruto is said to be one of the best spots for
catching marlin, kingfish and other large game fish. The island
is also particularly good for surf fishing, and diving to
the various reefs along the coast.
Benguerra Island
Benguerra Island is the second largest island in the Bazaruto
Archipelago, less than a kilometer south of Bazaruto Island.
Like its neighbours, it also has high dunes, inland lakes
and beautiful beaches. Benguerra has a total of 164 species
of birds and the small patch of indigenous forest near the
north point thrills with their sounds and those of squirrels
and monkeys. The island has a rich cultural life with dhows
regularly sailing past the northern point of the island. Two
Mile Reef - just two miles east of Benguerra, offers the best
reef diving in Mozambique with beautiful staghorn corals and
tropical fishes from tiny clownfish to moray eels and black-tipped
reef sharks.
Santa Carolina
Santa Carolina, the smallest and most northerly of the islands,
is composed of rock and coral. The 3km long and 500 metre
wide island is excellent for snorkeling. In the 1970s the
islands and the channel were declared a national park.
Vilankulo (Vilanculos)
This large town on the mainland is becoming increasingly popular
with travellers, not only because it is the main gateway to
the Bazaruto Archipelago, but also because of its beautiful
beaches, lively night life and excellent lodges and hotels.
There are some excellent restaurants in town, ranging from
cheerful Bohemian-style cafés to superb eating houses with
finely carved furniture and a rich Moorish feel, offering
excellent seafood.
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