VILANCULOS

This small enchanting town also known as Vilankulo, popped up during a search for deals to a different #girlstrip destination.

​Given its beauty, we halted all the other search efforts and focused on securing a trip to the gateway of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique. Trust that flights and accommodation were booked within hours of setting our hearts and minds  on the white-sand beaches and the prospects of island hopping.

The quick travel bookings, were followed by a month long wait, which felt like a lifetime. We distracted ourselves by exchanging outfit inspiration pictures and by identifying content creation opportunities.

In this waiting period, I also conceptualised destination-inspired print gear, now available on the Fafa online shopping site.

REQUIREMENTS
No Visas required for South Africans. However, Mozambique poses a threat of Malaria infection, all travelers should take prescription tablets before, during and after their planned trips. Recommended medication: Malanil and Mozitec, do consult a doctor about your specific needs.

WHERE TO STAY 
www.booking.com is my go-to, as availability is confirmed immediately and the  reviews are often accurate.
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Our chosen spot was Bahia Mar Beach House, a stunning two-bedroom beach house with scenic views, white walls, blue hues and chic finishes. Totally intagrammable! Loved the fact that there was total privacy, a 24/7 guard, driver at our beckoning call, and a butler who doubled as a cook. 

The beach house, is a part of the Bahia Mar Club, this gave us access to the more commercial Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel, which also boasted amazing views, a pool bar and a better beach (15 minute drive away from the beach house) 

Click here for a 10% discount. Free airport transfers a bonus.

​CURRENCY 
R1 = 4,81 Mozambican Metical(Mts)
$1 = 60,04 Mozambican Metical (Mts)
Formal establishments accept Dollars, but it would be  best to use the local currency to maneuver around. Thinking in Rands, we always divided the Mts by 5 to get ballpark figures. A decent meal was around 600Mts and a soft drink 60Mts. 

WEATHER 
The average temperature is around 28°C,  it was a bit humid and we saw no signs of rain, but apparently June –October are the best months to visit Mozambique as it promises perfect tropical weather.

TRANSPORT
Free Airport transfers were organised by the Bahia Mar staff. We also had the driver at our disposal at an additional cost per trip. I would advise to arrange transport through the establishment where you will be staying and once you know the surrounds try a short distance ride in a Tuk Tuk which is an inexpensive unique experience.

​FOOD 
The food was largely  seafood based with nuts, garlic and lemon used as natural flavourants. Carb options were  usually rice, chips or Cassava..

Recommended dishes:  the Mozambican Chicken Peanut Curry from Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel , as well as  the Mozambican Piri -Piri Shrimps(as on the menu), pizza and plain Matapa at Baobab Beach which we frequented.

A local, had suggested Samara Restaurant as a proper seafood spot, but we didn’t get the chance to pay it a visit.

SUNSET DHOW SAFARI 
Daily speedboat  trips  to either of  the six  islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago were on offer, one would just have to be specific about which two  islands they wanted to visit and it would be arranged by a guide. 

Twas a half-day commitment, pick-up  at 08h00 and drop-off at 16h00. We chose to island hop from Bazaruto Island the largest island with sand dunes  to Benguerra island which was a tranquil sandbank.  The average price was around  $110 / 6000Mts per person with a seafood barbecue and snorkeling included.  For more information visit Sunset Dhow Safari

MOZAMBIQUE HORSE SAFARI
Horse riding on the beach, an activity one could never get tired of. This time it was extra special, because I was accompanied by Mandy Retzlaff co-founder of the establishment and  author of One Hundred and Four Horses( a book about how her husband were exiled from Zimbabwe and in efforts to start afresh, moved to Mozambique with their string of horses)

This particular ride was a fun history lesson and lasted an hour and a half.  Total cost was  $50/ 3500Mts. Well worth it!

For bookings visit Mozambique Horse Safari ​​

​OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
- Shopping at the local markets: Mercado Municipal and New Market
- Stocking up on tasty fruits and nuts  from Florence and her mom on the corner opposite Millenium Bim Bank Vilankulo(just off the main road as you head to the Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel) 
- Straw hat buys also on the way to Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel 
- Pack lots of sunscreen 
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Your trip to paradise awaits!