About 35 mi/55 km off the mainland, the Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five islands:
Bazaruto,
Magaruque,
Santa Carolina,
Benguera (Benguerra) and
Bangue. In 1971, the Portuguese bestowed national-park status on the area to protect its fragile fauna. Small herds of red duiker antelope still roam the islands, carving out a precarious existence alongside freshwater crocodiles and samango monkeys. The choppy reefs are fertile breeding grounds for turtles, dolphins and dugongs.
To keep environmental damage to a minimum, visitors must stay at one of several private lodges, which offer excellent scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and sailing. The islands are covered by large sand dunes (the sand is so soft it squeaks beneath your feet) and freshwater lakes, which are nesting grounds for beautiful black-winged flamingos. To get there, take one of the chartered flights from Maputo or South Africa, or go by dhow (Arab-style sailing boat) from the mainland towns of Vilanculos and
Inhassoro.
380 mi/610 km northeast of Maputo.