Africa

Since the mid-1990's Mozambique has been one of the highlights of many visitors' trips to southern Africa. The major draw has been the 2500 km long palm-fringed coastline which boasts numerous superb beaches fringed by lagoons, coral reefs and strings of small islands.

The extensive coral reefs host a dazzling array of marine life and the warm, blue waters of the Indian Ocean are a natural magnet for a relaxing break after a safari in Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe.

Culturally Mozambique provides a contrast to other countries in the region with its blend of African, Arab and Portuguese influences, especially noticeable in the excellent Afro-Portuguese cuisine, and the Mediterranean charm lives on in a tropical African setting creating a warm and lively atmosphere.

Although the endless stretches of white sand and turquoise seas have been the main reason to visit Mozambique to date, the country's game reserves and national parks are starting to come on stream again although they currently attract only the most adventurous wildlife enthusiasts. Both Beira, known as the heart of Mozambique and one of the oldest cities in southern Africa, and the colonial-style city of Maputo with its wide tree-lined streets and remarkable wealth of architectural styles, are also lively and vibrant places to explore.