Wat te doen in Mozambique?
Mozambique staat vooral bekend om de prachtige, paradijselijke stranden, eilanden en ongerepte kust aan een warme, oogverblindende turquoise Indische Oceaan met wuivende kokospalmen, verse vis, kreeft en garnalen.
Maar Mozambique is zoveel meer dan alleen strand
Deel II van mijn blogs over de beste en leukste dingen om te doen in Mozambique.
1. Bezoek de lokale markt met een Tuk Tuk en drink kokosnoot water
You’ll most probably know tuk tuk's from Asia and touristy areas in Europe like Lisbon. However here in Mozambique - along with noisy Chinese motorbikes - they also became a very popular form of local transport in recent years.
Book a local tour by tuk tuk and learn more about the history of Vilanculos or another city like Inhambane or Beira. It’s a super fun way to experience and learn about the local culture. It is always nice and inspiring to visit the local market and get a glimpse of real local life in Mozambique. Buy a coconut and get it cut for you - coconut water is super tasty and healthy too! Grated coconut is an indispensable ingredient in Mozambican cuisine.
2. Ga Matapa maken met een lokale familie
Matapa is a popular dish in Mozambique and is made from the leaves of the cassava - also called yuca, or tapioca. It’s prepared like a curry, with coconut milk, peanuts, garlic and onion. Cassava leaves contain many vitamins and you can taste matapa anywhere in Mozambique. I myself make smoothies in the morning with banana, lemon and taro - another popular tropical root in Mozambique, which is high in calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, the latter being an essential mineral for your body.
Ga Matapa maken met een lokale familie of eet het in een lokaal restaurant. Lokaal en lekker en letterlijk een verrijkende ervaring!
3. Kitesurfen in Mozambique
Cape Town and Zanzibar are known as top kitesurfing spots but did you know Mozambique is also great for taking to the wind and the waves? It’s a popular activity especially on Tofo Beach and here in Vilanculos, where good winds will - in between local sailing dhows - whizz you across Vilanculos bay straight to the islands of the idyllic Bazaruto Archipelago. How unique is that!
4. Ga met de lokale bus!
I have personally travelled A LOT on local buses in Africa and still do, from big buses and mini buses to sitting on the back of a truck or hanging half over the tail gate (the latter which since we live here permanently am trying to avoid as it's not very comfortable).
De bussen zijn hier verrassend punctueel: de bus van Vilanculos naar Maputo vertrekt precies op tijd. Te laat? Dan heb je pech. De grote bussen zijn redelijk comfortabel, al moet je soms over bagage klimmen en hardere muziek verdragen waar Mozambikanen gek op zijn.
Count in some pretty dreadful B movies, but hey, you'll have TV in the bus! This is not Hollywood… But if you’re not afraid of a bit of adventure it’s definitely a local experience to travel (part of your trip) by local bus. I help you arrange it!
5. Proef of maak Baobab juice- het sap van de vruchten van de Baobab boom
Mozambique is vol met prachtige Baobab bomen, van soms wel meer dan 2000 jaar oud.
Did you know that the fruits of the baobab are very rich in Vitamin C antioxidants and high in magnesium, calcium (calcium - good for bones and teeth) and potassium? The pulp or juice of the fruit - called malambe - is a super healthy drink; a natural super food. In local markets or along the road in Mozambique you can buy the fruit anywhere for very little money. In some accommodations such as the Bahia Mar Hotel in Vilanculos it is also served at the breakfast buffet. Enjoy!
6. Walvissen spotten op hun migratieroute
Mozambique is an important migration route for bultrug walvissen. These largest mammals of the sea travel thousands of kilometers to migrate during cold the winter months in Antarctica (June - September), to the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean.
Hier komen ze om uit te rusten, te paren en hun jongen te krijgen, die ze laten gedijen in de warme wateren voor ze grote trek terug maken. Ik had wel vaker walvissen gezien voor ik hier kwam maar het is elke keer weer spectaculair om deze prachtige wezens met hun kinderen van zo dichtbij mee te maken. Ik maakte de walvis tour met mijn ouders in 2022, en het was overweldigend.
In Tofo Beach kun je een hele bijzondere educatieve walvissen tour doen, waarbij je zelfs met ze kunt zwemmen. Dit is echt een unieke ervaring.
7. Maak een helikopter vlucht over de Bazaruto Archipel
The Bazaruto Archipelago is awesome. It was Mozambique's first maritime national park and consists of 5 islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue - spanning an area of 70 kilometers. It has a rich history and is of great ecological value with an extraordinary biodiversity. Some of the islands are still inhabited by the local communities, who live mainly from fishing. From the air, the Bazaruto Archipelago is a dazzling picture. Explore its scenic wonders by helicopter and book a scenic flight or helicopter transfer to one of the islands with me!
8. Bezoek Praia das Pescadores (vismarkt) in Maputo
This is a true insider tip and a place that very few tourists visit. The fish market north of downtown Maputo - not the central fish market - is a particularly local spot where you can buy the freshest of fish and seafood for very reasonable prices and then have it cooked for you in one of the neighbouring shacks! The local ‘mamas’ here cook like no other and, accompanied with an ice cold 2M (local beer), this is a great local experience.
