Geography & Climate

Mozambique with its enchanting people, full of welcoming kindness and consideration, is bathed by the Indian Ocean. It is a land full of life and hidden beauty, with untouched nature stretching from the endless pristine beaches of Tungué Bay in the far north to the diving enthusiasts’ paradise at Ponta de Ouro in the south. And in between there are the paradise islands of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique Island, with its centuries of history and culture, truly a World Heritage site, the treasures of the Bazaruto Archipelago Nature Reserve, nature’s gift of Inhambane, where migrating whales pass by without fail, and the beach at Xai Xai, where delicious fresh oysters wet the appetite for more. Mozambique is also one of the world’s new sanctuaries.

Geography

It is investing in the recovery of its wildlife, with a great variety of nature reserves, and it is likewise devoting resources to tourism, with high-quality hunting safaris, but at the same time working to develop greater awareness of the environment. In the towns and cities that seem so familiar to us, a great diversity of history and cultures is melded into the architecture, and the pulse of daily life can be felt, from the bustle of the markets to the striking handicrafts, from the museums to the bars and restaurants.

The Beaches

In the Centre, situated near the river mouths we find what can be described as dry riverbed beaches bordered by extensive mangroves. The sandy beaches are to be found in the South, with high dunes covered with low rough vegetation. Parallel to the coast, are isolated or groups of islands, some of which provide the tourist with good conditions in terms of lodging and the opportunity to observe the very varied vegetation and fascinating wildlife.

 

Historic monuments are also to be found on these islands, a testimony to the Arabs and Europeans who settled there. The magnificent transparent waters are an irresistible invitation to go swimming, snorkeling, and diving and admire the extraordinarily beautiful coral reef and the underwater marine life. The best-known beaches along the coast noted for their visitor orientated infrastructures are: Pemba, Island of Mozambique, Fernão Veloso, Chocas, Vilankulo, Tofo, Morrungulo, Inhassoro, Inhambane, Bazaruto, Zongoene, Xai-Xai, Bilene, Marracuene, Inhaca, Ponta do Ouro and Ponta Malongane.

 

 

 

 

Climate

 

The climate of Mozambique, influenced by the monsoons from the Indian Ocean and the hot current of the Mozambique Canal, is generally tropical and humid. The dry season, in the Centre/North lasts for about four to six months, whereas in the South, the dry tropical climate lasts between six and nine months.

 

The rainy season is between October and April. In the mountainous areas, the climate is typical of tropical conditions to be found at high altitudes. Average temperatures are around 20º in the South and 26º in the North. Highest temperatures are normally registered during the rainy season. The Mozambique coast faces the Indian Ocean and because of its climate, warm waters and vast beach area is rich in many marine species, some of which are unfortunately in danger of extinction.