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Vilankulo & The Bazaruto ArchipelagoVilankulo, Bazaruto Island, Benguerra Island and the Bazaruto Archipelago, Southern Mozambique |
Mozambique Accommodation |
 Offshore from mainland Mozambique in the northern section of the Inhambane province is a group of islands making up the tropical Archipelago of Bazaruto, much of which is now protected by the formation of the Bazaruto National Park. On the mainland Vilankulo, often still referred to as Vilanculos, is known as the gateway to the Bazaruto Archiopelago and there are regular direct flights here from Maputo, Beira and South Africa. If you have your own vehicle then you can also visit Inhassorro at the northern point of the Bazarutao Archipelago and closer to the islands of Santa Carolina and northern Bazaruto Island. Further inland are the Bahnine and Zinave wildlife reserves. Zinave with its large elephant population is set to be the first of these parks to become accessible to tourists in the future as part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, enquire for up to date information. The Limpopo National Park is currently more accessible from further south at Xai-Xai. Vilankulo or VilanculosVilankulo, often still referred to as Vilanculos, is situated on the mainland at the southern tip of the Bazaruto Archipelago and is easily accessible by air from Maputo, Beira and South Africa. There are plenty of good beaches on the mainland, most attached to lodges, and it is possible to take day trips into the Archipelago by dhow sailing boat or motorised boat for snorkelling and to explore the islands. There are a number of operators providing diving, snorkelling and boat transfers to islands as well as fishing charters and watersports. All visitors to the park need to pay park entry fees can be obtained from registered operators. National Park fees are excluded from many activities, so please check when booking. Things to do in and day trips from Vilanculos:
The Archipelago of BazarutoThere are five main islands making up the Bazaruto Archipelago, Bazaruto Island is the largest of these and there are daily shuttles from Vilanculos for those staying at one of the two luxury lodges on the island. Between this island and the mainland at Inhassorro is the small island of Santa Carolina also known as 'Paradise Island'. South of Bazaruto Island is Benguerra Island, (or Santa Antóniao), the second largest of the islands and also with two luxury lodges. Further south still are the islands of Magaruque (Santa Isabel) and tiny Bangué island, neither of which currently have any accommdoation options. You may also hear about Pansy Island or Pansy Shell Island popular for snorkelling, this is actually a moving sandbar which regularly dissapears and reappears at a slightly new location. The coral reefs are regarded as some of the most diverse and least disturbed in the Western Indian Ocean, Two Mile Reef situated to the east of the park and between Bazaruto & Benguerra Island is particularly well known as a snorkelling and diving site internationally. Please remember that the flaura & fauna on land and in the ocean is protected and therefore may not be removed or tempered with. All visitors to the park need to pay park entry fees which must be obtained from registered operators or the WWF office in Vilanculos. National Park fees are excluded from many lodge rates and activities, so please check when booking. If you want to see the best of the Bazaruto but don't want to spend all your time at the luxury lodges on the islands then you can explore the Bazaruto Archipelago by dhow boat as a day trip or over a period of a few days. Snorkelling trips into the Archipelago depart daily by dhow and motor boat and are best booked in advance to avoid dissapointemnt (many trips by reputable operators are full in advance and/or subject to minimum numbers). |
Specialist Mozambique HolidaysMozambique Useful Info |
