Private dhow safaris, camping on beaches en route, Quirimbas Archipelago

The dhows are the most beautiful and romantic way of experiencing this pristine archipelago.  Built in the original style, from wood and canvas cloth for the sail, the days are spent exploring at a heavenly, slow pace, the beauty of this region. It is entirely pristine with almost no other European faces in sight – just the curious faces of the African children, playing around and having fun in the waves.

The dhow safaris are tailor made entirely around you. There are several ways of experiencing a dhow safari. The first is perhaps a five day safari, whereby two days are spent in the beautiful, old colonial town of Ibo, resplendent with colonial architecture and allowing a privileged insight into Mozambique culture and history. You would then embark upon your magnificent ocean going dhow.

Spend three or four days sailing with your skipper and crew, fishing, scuba diving, kayaking and snorkelling en route. Perhaps even swim amongst dolphins – one of the most incredible experiences one can possibly imagine! Camp out in rustic camps on the beach each night, set in the most beautiful locations.

Return back to Ibo, the main island for your last night.  Here there is a beautiful, boutique hotel which was restored from the original governor’s residences and has been refurbished in sympathetic style. From the lodge, you can also spend the day’s scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking around the mangroves or even simply relaxing next to the pool with a good book and a glass of chilled wine!

The second method is to perhaps start of at the island, then onto your dhow safari for around two or three nights. You could also live aboard for one night en route. Finish off at a luxury lodge on a private island where you can snorkel and scuba dive at night as well as during the day, or simply enjoy being pampered and relax.

Finally, for the more adventurous traveller, one can perhaps take the dhow for around a week or two, living aboard for some of the time, whilst staying on private islands in a rustic tented camp for the balance of the time, whilst plying this untouched, pristine region of the Quirimbas archipelago.

There is also the chance to stay in luxury lodges on different islands en route. Finish off at a beautiful, chic, Robinson Crusoe lodge on the border of Tanzania, where the diving is said to be some of the best in the world, with coral being totally unblemished. This would be the absolute ideal! Contact us now to start planning your very special dhow safari to Mozambique.