Dear all,
I am hoping to travel to Mozambique for 2 weeks in late Dec/early Jan i.e. Christmas/New Year period.
It seems like I have a choice : either go to the North, which is my preference, and travel in the Quirimbas Archipelago and perhaps make a trip to Ihla de Moçambique or go to Maputo and then up to Tofo and Vilanculos.
I would rather go to Quirimbas by flying into Pemba from Dar (currently living in Tz) but worried about accommodation. It seems like there are a lot of expensive and exclusive resorts which I imagine might be fully booked due to the holiday season anyway and then the other option would be cheaper, basic, backpacker style places – wondered if anyone could recommend some good ones? It would be great to dive, snorkel, kayak, sail and camp .. and maybe cycle. Have googled but recs would be good, and have also noted some from topics here. Also how easy is it to travel around there, is it quite cheap to get on dhows or hire a dhow to get to the islands etc? Are the beaches really great and deserted and which are the best islands?
Has anyone been to both Quirimbas/ Ihla de Moçambique and Maputo/Tofo/Vilanculos and can venture an opinion on which is more fun/interesting to visit ?
Also how is the weather at that time in year. It’s pretty hot in Dar so I imagine similar..but not unbearable?
And lastly, is it possible to easily rent a car in Pemba, for example, to drive to Ihla de Moçambique and back?
Asante!