Inhambane, Mozambique

Once a port for the Arab slave trade, Inhambane is a colourful, vibey town on Mozambique’s south-central coast. It is a fascinating tourist destination with much to explore. It has one of the largest working dhow fleets in East Africa. The Portuguese established a permanent settlement and trading post here in 1534, making it one of the oldest settlements in southern Africa.

The town has an intriguing mix of African, old-world Portuguese and Muslim cultures depicted in the varied and impressive architecture and the extremely interesting museum. Mangrove swamps flank the water along the edge of the peninsula, resulting in the region being a birder’s paradise. Luxurious chalets on stilts at Flamingo Bay Lodge fan out into the Inhambane Estuary. Have the time of your life diving with huge whale sharks at nearby sites.

Connected by wooden walkways, the romantic chalets of Flamingo Bay Lodge are elevated above estuary waters on stilts! Each chalet at this small lodge has a private balcony and at high tide you can slip into  into the water right from your room. Great care has been taken to conserve the fragile estuarine eco-system and the stilted rooms have almost no impact. Activities include beach and mangrove nature walks, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, skiing and fishing.

Close to Inhambane are renowned spots to swim and dive with the largest fish in the ocean. Whale sharks are not agressive and are considered the most friendly of sharks! They feed on the surface and are thus easily spotted. You can snorkel or dive alongside them at no risk. They are curious and sometimes approach snorkellers and divers, but if they are harassed they will dive down. It is an unbelievable experience to be  close to these slow-moving and magnificent creatures.