Mozambique

With a magnificent 2,000-mile coastline bordered by the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean, Mozambique is emerging as a perfect post-safari destination. Following a disastrous civil war that ended in 1992 with the country in ruins, this former Portuguese colony of 20 million has now rebuilt the infrastructure necessary to support upscale tourism. Mozambique has two main regions for beachcombers and divers: the remote and pristine Quirimbas Archipelago, close to the country’s northern border with Tanzania, and the more accessible Bazaruto Marine National Park, on the central coast near the town of Vilanculos. Both have spectacular white-sand beaches and pristine coral reefs. There are regular one-hour flights from Johannesburg to the capital, Maputo.

The Quirimbas, a loose garland of 32 coral islands, was declared a national park in 2002. We trust that this legislation will be sufficient to preserve one of the most startlingly beautiful places we have ever been. The jumping-off point is the town of Pemba, 90 minutes by air from Maputo, the country’s capital (which itself lies an hour east of Johannesburg). From the small Pemba airstrip, tiny prop planes deliver you to one of the region’s dozen or so resorts. Brief though these flights may be — depending on your destination, you’re rarely in the air for longer than 20 minutes — they are unforgettable experiences that allow for a bird’s-eye glimpse of azure lagoons and inlets, coconut plantations, rustic villages, dramatic coral reefs, and the ubiquitous fishermen’s dhows.

WHEN TO GO: The warm, dry season extends from April until October. The hot, wet season begins in November. January and February should be avoided.

CURRENCY: Metical (MZN). Fluctuating rate valued at MZN26,700 = US$1.00 as of January 2012. Note: All of our suggested hotels quote rates in US$.

U.S. EMBASSY: Maputo, Tel. 21-49-2797.

DIRECT DIAL CODES: To phone hotels in Mozambique, dial 011 (international access) + 258 (Mozambique code) + city code and local numbers in listings.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport (valid for six months beyond end of stay and containing at least three unstamped pages) and visa. Visit travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, cdc.gov