Things to do in Mozambique

Plunge into the warm Indian Ocean at Tofo, one of Africa’s best spots to encounter giant manta rays gliding through sun-dappled waters.

Float above sea-grass meadows that shelter the elusive dugong, surrounded by the pristine turquoise seascape of the protected archipelago.

Stroll the golden sands of Ponta do Ouro as the sun melts into the sea, painting the sky in fiery oranges and pinks.

Wander the atmospheric lanes of this UNESCO-listed island, where Swahili, Portuguese and Indian influences blend in centuries-old coral-stone buildings.

Inhale the scent of spices and fresh produce while weaving through a kaleidoscope of colourful fabrics, handcrafts and lively banter.

Order the legendary grilled prawns smothered in fiery piri-piri sauce while dining under thatched roofs right on Maputo’s waterfront.

Board a wooden sailing dhow and drift across the bay as the sun dips behind the Bazaruto islands, the wind rustling the lateen sail.

Cruise through the reborn floodplains of Gorongosa, spotting lions, elephants and waterbucks against the backdrop of Mount Gorongosa.

Stand inside the cavernous, mint-green hall of the CFM station, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece designed by an associate of Gustave Eiffel.

Visit artisan workshops to see intricate ebony and rosewood figures emerge from raw wood in the heart of Makonde territory.

Bask on the crescent of powdery sand at Wimbi Beach, where the calm, azure water of Pemba Bay invites a refreshing dip.

Catch the spectacle of migrating humpbacks breaching and tail-slapping just offshore during their annual passage along the coast.

Spoon up the rich, creamy cassava-leaf stew studded with peanuts and coconut, a classic dish that tastes of home kitchens.

Roam the overgrown mansions and crumbling forts of this sleepy Quirimbas island, once a wealthy slave and ivory trading post.

Trek through lush highland forest to the dome of Mozambique’s second-highest peak, rewarded with sweeping views over the tea-growing region.

Join the pulsing crowd at this open-air music festival, swaying to the fast-paced marrabenta rhythms that define Mozambican pop culture.

Canter bareback or saddled on hard-packed sand as the first light illuminates the Bazaruto Islands on the horizon.

Scramble over granite boulders to find ochre human figures and animals left by hunter-gatherer artists thousands of years ago.

Descend to a World War II army cargo ship resting on the reef, now encrusted with corals and patrolled by resident fish.

Pull up a plastic chair under neon lights at this open-air eating-and-drinking complex, where locals share grilled snacks and cold beer.

Find your way to a little-known cascade tumbling into a cool rock pool, a refreshing surprise in the dry landscape of Cabo Delgado.

Climb the walls of the southern hemisphere’s oldest complete fort, looking out over the same channel where Vasco da Gama once anchored.

Amble through the birthplace of Samora Machel, where vivid murals and poetry honour Mozambique’s revolutionary and cultural heritage.

Fall asleep to the sound of gentle surf in a private bungalow on this tiny Quirimbas sandbar, a castaway’s paradise.

Tear into a charcoal-grilled chicken flame-basted with a secret piri-piri marinade that has made this simple eatery a Maputo institution.