6 Best Hotels in Southern Mozambique, Mozambique

Azura is an ultra luxurious beach resort on Benguerra Island in the middle of Bazaruto National Marine Park that is absolutely gorgeous and can hold its own with other 5-star lodges anywhere in the world. Choose one of 17 villas built by the local community with indigenous materials, each with a fringed thatch roof that resemble a Mogul emperor’s hat. Each villa has Afro-contemporary interiors (authentic carvings, handmade furniture, beaded wall hangings, local fabrics), a personal plunge pool, massive viewing deck, outdoor showers, and glades of palm trees. An attentive but unobtrusive private butler attends to your every whim and need, reinforcing the superb friendly, efficient service of the rest of the staff. The food is Mozambican style; seafood reigns, although there are plenty of other freshly cooked goodies to tempt even the most jaded palate. Dining, in fact, is a daily surprise with your innovative butler setting up different venues from the edge of the beach, to a hidden leafy glen. All the quintessential tropical island activities from scuba diving and snorkeling, to a dhow trip, beach picnics and fly- or big-game fishing are literally on your doorstep. In season (May–October), watch the migrating humpback whales; spot dolphins all year round, and keep an eye open for turtles and the ever-elusive dugong.

Just minutes from the busy little fishing town of Vilankulo, overlooking the Bazaruto Archipelago and the islands of Benguerra, Bazaruto, and Magaruque, this attractive Mediterranean-style resort has unending views of the sand and sea. Rooms have wooden rafters, arched windows of golden bottle glass, billowing white filmy curtains, wooden shutters, tiled floors, and wrought-iron lamps, evoking a Portuguese or Spanish traditional interiors. Walk down to the beach (where the tide seems to go out for miles), dip in one of the two pools, relax on your sea-facing veranda or under shady indigenous trees, or try your hand at any number of activities from horse riding on the beach to canoeing or birdwatching among water lilies. You can do some craft shopping, take a sunset cruise, and go fishing or diving. It’s also fun to bargain in the local market or take a cultural tour of the little town.

A day dhow cruise to Magaruque Island on a traditional sailing boat where you’ll swim or snorkel along the reef, down a cold beer or chilled wine as you enjoy a local lunch before returning under full sail late afternoon, is a highlight.

You'll find great food, friendly and efficient service, comfortable reed-and-thatch villas, and lots to do at this award-winning 5-star resort on Bazaruto Island, an acclaimed marine national park. The lodge prides itself on preserving the natural environment and investing in the community to help the locals. Its tag-and-release fishing activities have resulted in an almost 100% release rate for marlin and sailfish caught by guests. The Bazaruto Archipelago, one of Africa's top diving sites, is home to spectacular coral reefs with over 100 species of coral, game fish, dolphins, a huge variety of tropical fish species, and four whale species. Spot marine turtles (all five species can be found) and take an expedition to find the rare marine mammal, the dugong—supposed source of the mermaid myth. A picnic on the Paradise Island is a highlight.

Check out the all-inclusive special packages.

This unpretentious lovely lodge sits on the coast of Southern Mozambique amidst the Vilankulos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary, so you get unspoiled beaches plus an incredible array of marine life. There are 14 timber, stone, and thatch-fringed chalets (two of them adjoined family ones) each overlooking the Indian Ocean with wooden decks, lie-out chairs and individual wooden paths that lead down past a sala (covered outdoor viewing/relaxing deck) straight into the sea. The chalet interiors are cool and comfortable with stone floors, basket weave chairs and stools, blue-and-white soft furnishings, wood and weave bedheads, side tables, chests of drawers and cupboards. It’s a strange mix of contemporary beach style and 70s retro, but somehow it all works wonderfully well. The chalets themselves are roomy and the bathroom and indoor/outdoor showers are huge. The food is excellent and plentiful, the local staff friendly and charming, and there are lots of activities from kayaking and wind surfing to water skiing, diving and snorkeling.

This rustic beach resort with sustainably-built chalets of timber and organic materials, stretches along the lovely Uembje beach lagoon amid lush greenery near the little resort village of Bilene. You’ll feel much more part of the landscape than if you were cocooned at an upmarket lodge, and although there are no frills, and it's all a bit scruffy and shabby, you’ll be provided with the essentials for a great beach holiday—comfortable beds, mosquito nets and coils, basic bathrooms, and decks overlooking the lake. The beaches are long and golden, the water warm, calm and safe for swimming, and there are plenty of activities nearby, from superb diving and snorkeling, to parasailing, fishing, windsurfing, and canoeing. If you want to party, there are bars, clubs, and restaurants in Bilene itself, but it’s all a far cry from a sophisticated urban vibe.

The 4-sleeper chalets are great for small kids and have their own pathway to beach.

The exteriors of these rectangular-shaped weathered white clapboard chalets may seem ordinary, but within their spacious walls you’ll find luxurious understated interiors that harmonize beautifully with sea, sand, and sky. Your entire living and sleeping areas with their off-white wooden floors, dove grey walls, textured grey couches, and soft curtaining provide a haven of relaxation and comfort. Decks stretch around the chalets with stunning views over the Indian Ocean. Lie in bed and watch the dawn break, or collapse onto a big day couch outside and marvel at the African sunsets, or dip into your plunge pool. Service is excellent, the food an interesting mix of Mozambique and contemporary fusion, and the wrap-around music in the public areas is a heady unique mix of Cuban, blues, cool jazz and soul. You can go horseback riding, swim, snorkel, take long beach walks or just relax. The diving is some of the best in the world with pristine reefs and very few (if any) other divers.

There’s easy access by road from Maputo or South Africa but a helicopter transfer from Maputo is well worth the money.