Group African Travel Packages to Mozambique
Group African Travel Packages to Mozambique will open the doors to an unforgettable African odyssey. And if its history, architecture and culture you seek then Mozambique Island packs more into an itinerary than just about any other place on earth.
This former jewel of the Portuguese Empire offers a lot more than just castles and coconuts, though.
Perhaps the best route to choose when visiting Mozambique Island is to catch a flight to Nampula; from Nampula you will soon find yourself wending your way and vying for space amongst the processions of fishermen on bicycles and overladen chapas (mini bus taxis) groaning under wares, grunting pigs and clucking chickens as you journey along the single-lane causeway to the island – soon you will be greeted by Ilha de Moçambique with its palm-fringed beaches and waterfront villas, colourful dhows and the daunting fortress of Sâo Sebastâo.
The island became a mummified bit of colonial legacy, slowly yet gracefully putrefying. Accommodation is aplenty in Makuti town and further north the colonial stone town will greet visitors with its pretty patchwork roofs with welcoming smiles and open arms.
About Mozambique Island:
- Mozambique Island is the oldest European settlement in South-East Africa.
- The island served the region for almost four centuries and was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1991.
- The island is an architect’s delight and although a mere 2.5 km in length and only 600 m wide, this miniscule atoll is home to almost 14 000 inhabitants which is problematic as far as resources and infrastructure are concerned.
- During the time of Vasco Da Gama the island was the monopolised by Sultan Moussa Ben Mbiki – the Europeans tarnished the Sultan’s name – and thus the name Moç-am-bique was borne.
- Because the island lent itself perfectly as a refreshment station for fleets travelling to Asia, the Portuguese occupied the island in 1507.
- Mozambique is steeped in a long and deep history as it was used as a refreshment station for the next three centuries – an extremely important harbour a little south of Mombasa.
- It therefore does not surprise that Mozambique Island became the capital of Portuguese possessions in South-East Africa.
- Many important buildings were erected during this time – these included churches, forts, a palace and even hospital.
- Not surprisingly the island became the hub for Portuguese trade where slaves, ivory and gold were traded, but from the 19th century the island soon started declining as larger ships began to use the harbour of Nacala which is 50 km north of Mozambique Island.
The Portuguese left Mozambique after liberation in 1975 when squatters soon moved into the grand buildings – but in 1992 after the peace treaty was signed tourists trickled back and with Unesco reinstating the former glory of many of these magnificent historical buildings – this has been altogether a slow and arduous process.
Enjoy wide beaches, dhow trips around the island where you can catch a gentle breeze and sail right past where Da Gama anchored his fleet centuries ago; visit the numerous historical old buildings, and even if restoration and preservation cannot expunge a rather chequered past, Mozambique Island offers much for those including this lovely spot when deciding on their Group African Travel Packages for that authentic African odyssey