This 8 day overland adventure in Mozambique offers a no-frills tropical adventure that will see you making your way through this incredible country with like-minded travellers on a custom designed safari truck. It departs and returns to Maputo - the vibrant capital city.
Mozambique is not on the "traditional" African safari circuit, but that’s just one of the reasons we love it. Where else in the world can you combine a tropical beach getaway on the warm Indian Ocean with a wildlife safari, but without the crowds?
Departing from the capital city of Maputo, this 8 day overland adventure in Mozambique will bring you up close to this little explored African wonder. You’ll get a hands-on, up close experience with the vibrant culture, untouched natural beaches, tropical weather and friendly Mozambican locals.
This adventure is about the destinations, but also about the journey, getting to bond with your fellow travellers and overland crew on a sturdy, custom built and designed Hino safari truck. This is hassle free adventure travel at its best, with your transport, accommodation, food and activities all included. If you’re on a budget you can opt to camp each night or treat yourself to a little added comfort in 3-star lodges
Why You’ll Love It
- Transport is provided on a custom designed overland truck with ample storage space
- 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners included
- Accomodation is in spacious tents with mattresses provided or within 3 star lodges
- You overland crew includes a driver and cook who will prepare your meals
- Enjoy a guided walking tour of Maputo to learn about its colonial history
- Share a welcome dinner with your new travel companions
- Soak up the passing views of local villages and plantations of coconuts, cashews and sugar cane while traversing the coastal routes
- Tuck into a traditional Mozambican dinner at Inhambane
- Explore the marine life in Barra and enjoy the untouched beaches
- Explore Tofo on a day outing- browse the markets and visit the beach bars
- Head out to to Inhambane on an authentic Dhow ferry
- Take another Dhow trip to the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago
- Indulge in ample beach and relaxation time with snorkeling and swimming opportunities throughout the journey in the warm Indian Ocean
- Experience signature sundowners and beach walks in Xai Xai
- Finishing in Maputo allows for an easy onwards journey after the tour
Mixing it up in Maputo
This 8 day overland adventure in Mozambique starts from Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. It offers a vibrant and eclectic mix of cultures as well as being the country’s economic centre. The city's trade history brought cultures from all the corners of the earth which can be seen in its architecture, and of course, it’s cuisine. Piri-piri chicken? Yes please.
After checking-in at your hotel and meeting your oveland crew and fellow travellers, you will get to explore the city sights such as the Fortress and the Railway Station on an in-depth walking tour with a local guide. No visit to the city would be complete without a browse through the central and FEIMA markets for a unique selection of crafts- you won’t be disappointed! Tonight we eat out together and get a chance to experience the night-life of this intriguing city.
Day 1: Sundowners in Xai Xai
Well-rested, we continue on course for the Xai-Xai district. We will arrive in the late afternoon but with just enough time time for a leisurely stroll along the beach with a sundowner in hand. Nothing beats an Southern African sunset as it slips behind the horizon of the Indian Ocean, its crimson glow highlighting the pristine shoreline. Paradise found? Absolutely.
Xai Xai is rustic Mozambique at its best, where charming, eco-friendly hotels overlook wild and wonderful beaches, and the scenery is absurdly breathtaking. You can easily spend your days diving and fishing in the deep waters, picking coconuts and bartering with locals for avocados, or simply wander the long beaches, sand between your toes and the wind in your hair. Go for it- snap up that new profile pic!
Day 2: Next Stop, Vilanculos
This morning we make a stop in Vilanculos where you will have the opportunity to explore the market and the historic streets of this former slave trading port. For those who enjoy a good dose of adventure, your overland guide will arrange one of the famous Dhow ferries to sail you across the bay. These sturdy old boats have plied the East Coast of Africa for centuries and the trip across the bay is a truly local experience.
This 8 day overland adventure in Mozambique continues today as you travel north to the next stop at at Vilanculos. The expression "Africa time" was probably coined in Vilanculos, a tiny, tropical village on Mozambique’s southern Indian Ocean coastline. It’s unapologetically laid-back, as you will soon discover.
Day 3: Sun, Sand and Sea
Today you will experience a traditional dhow sailing boat trip to the island of Magaruque where you can spend the day exploring the island or snorkeling. Go on, take a dip in the gin-clear water. Lie out under the palm trees, sharing your sand only with a couple of scuttling coconut crabs.
Spend the day enjoying beachlife - swimming, snorkeling or simply vegetating. When you return to your lodge, head over to the and opt for an afternoon beer or signature rum and raspberry at one of the beach bars.
Day 4 - 5: Inhambane Here We Come
Hopefully without to much of a sore head from the night before, we’ll wake early to kick off this Escape to Mozambique tour. We’ll be leaving the bustling city of Maputo in our overland dust and make tracks up the Mozambican coastline to Inhambane. Today is all about enjoying the open road, passing through palm lined streets scattered with locals and roadside markets.
You will soon see that many parts of Mozambique are extremely remote (why we love it!), but be warned- this isn’t a polished destination with all the glitz and glamour of some of its Indian Ocean contemporaries. The best thing, is that you won't encounter hordes of tourists!
Our journey will bring us closer to those those bleached white beaches you have been dreaming of, for two days of relaxation and ocean fun. Tonight we are welcomed with a traditional Mozambique dinner which carries strong Arabic and Portuguese influences.
Day 6: Inhambane
Today you take the short journey to Tofo to enjoy a day at yet another well-known beach in Mozambique. Tofo offers several well-liked beach bars, a quaint market, and safe swimming. It's the ideal destination for a day trip. A second day gives us the flexibility to adjust to the weather and guarantees that you have the chance to participate in as many of the activities as possible.
Day 7 - 8: Making it Back to Maputo
This 8 day overland adventure in Mozambique comes to an end today. Early risers can savour one last sunrise on the beach this morning before the last leg back to Maputo, where tour comes to an end upon our arrival.
What’s Included
- Magaruque Island excursion
- 3 star lodge accommodation
- An experienced driver and guide
2024 - Most meals (8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 Dinners)
- All road transport in a 20-seater overland vehicle
2025 - All road transport in a customised 12 seater Quantum-style minibus
- 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners - lunch is on your own account
What’s Not Included
- Pre and post overland trip accommodation in Johannesburg and Victoria Falls
- Additional meals, drinks and snacks
- Additional activities not stipulated in the itinerary
- Optional gratuities
- Flights into or out of end and starting points
- Extra cost for single supplements
