Mozambique Dhow Safari
Day 1 - Ibo Island
You will be met at Pemba Airport and assisted with your onward, light aircraft flight over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean to Ibo Island Lodge. Depending on your time of arrival, you may the chance to explore this historical island with its magical ruins, and fort and get the chance to meet the locals.
Days 2, 3, 4 and 5 - Quirimbas Island Hoping
Your Dhow Safari adventure begins. From Ibo Island, you sail into the crystal-clear blue ocean through the northern parts of the Quirimbas Archipelago over untouched coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. En route to your first tropical island camp, you have the chance to sail up the Ulumbwa Estuary past rural fishing villages and through mangroves thriving with birds.
Spend 2 nights on Matemo Island before sailing off to Quirimba Island for another 2 nights. Whilst on the islands you have the chance to explore the islands or head out on the dhow and explore reefs and deserted islands. Go sea kayaking and snorkeling in the turquoise waters and on reefs that are untouched and teeming with tropical fish, colorful corals, and other sea creatures.
The camps are rustic but comfortable, set up on the beach with the water only meters away. Fresh seafood is bought from local fishermen and cooked on the open fire, under the stars.
Days 6 and 7 - Ibo Island
Today you return to Ibo Island Lodge for 2 more nights to enjoy the comforts after your exciting Dhow Island safari. Ibo Island is one of the few inhabited islands in the Quirimbas Archipelago and has a rich historical past that is evident in its architecture and local way of life. With influences from the Chinese, Arabs, Europeans, and Portuguese who have all used Ibo Island at some point in history, the locals have maintained their lost world appeal and have added their own Mozambique culture to the mix.
What makes Ibo Island so special, are the local people that call the island home. They welcome visitors with a warmth and genuine pride that every visitor feels the moment they arrive. Spend your days switching off and going back in time and let your worries disappear. There are no beaches directly in front of the lodge, but they are able to arrange a dhow trip to one of the nearby sandy beaches, taking everything with them for an awesome day out.
Days 8, 9, 10 and 11 - Azura Quilalea
Today a helicopter will come to collect you from Ibo Island to fly you to Azura Quilalea for 4 nights of white sandy beaches and tropical reefs. Quilalea is the perfect island getaway where you can do as little or as much as you wish. Located on a private island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Quilalea has pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and colorful reefs teeming with tropical fish. Guests at Quilalea can choose from a variety of activities including beach picnics, snorkeling, visits to nearby islands, island walks, sea kayaking, dhow cruising, deep sea fishing, and scuba diving. If all of this sounds too strenuous, then why not simply relax on some of the white sandy beaches that surround the island?
