The far north of Mozambique is relatively undiscovered in comparison to the Southern areas of Mozambique. Mozambique Airlines (LAM) offer flights from Maputo to Nampula, famous for its' Cathedral nicknamed 'Gina Lollobrida' owing to its mammary-like cupolas. Enjoy the 200 km drive to Nacala through lush vegetation on a good road and stop halfway at the Cathedral of Santuario de S Mae do Redentor whose spire is decorated with an 'Azulejo' (traditional Portuguese tile).
Nacala, a most charming town is said to have one of the deepest natural harbours in the world enveloped in a blue bay plunging 120 metres below the surface. It's touted as the most important potential growth point in all of northern Mozambique. Mario Mendonca, the director of Promotour owns the excellent Maiaia Hotel in Nacala. A day trip to Relanzapo beach is a must (about 20km) The trip takes you along the Fernao Veloso peninsula, where Samora Machel used to spend his holidays, past Chocas Mar Beach and then to Relanzapo. Enjoy the turquoise warm sea and the 5 km of isolated beach with a couple of reed picnic huts. Back in Nacala don't forget to buy some of the colourful capulanas (sarongs).
From Nacala it is an hour's drive (50km) through incredible Baobab country to the small airport town Lumbo. Ilha de Mozambique has been declared a World Heritage Site. The island ('Ilya') was first occupied by Arab sailors around 1200 AD and from early 1500 until 1898 served as the 'capital' of the Portuguese colony. It was linked to the mainland by a narrow, 2km long concrete bridge and this is the way you get to Lumbo. Promotur owns the 4-star Omuhipiti Hotel.

The far north of Mozambique is relatively undiscovered in comparison to the Southern areas of Mozambique. Mozambique Airlines (LAM) offer flights from Maputo to Nampula, famous for its' Cathedral nicknamed 'Gina Lollobrida' owing to its mammary-like cupolas. Enjoy the 200 km drive to Nacala through lush vegetation on a good road and stop halfway at the Cathedral of Santuario de S Mae do Redentor whose spire is decorated with an 'Azulejo' (traditional Portuguese tile).

Nacala, a most charming town is said to have one of the deepest natural harbours in the world enveloped in a blue bay plunging 120 metres below the surface. It's touted as the most important potential growth point in all of northern Mozambique. Mario Mendonca, the director of Promotour owns the excellent Maiaia Hotel in Nacala. A day trip to Relanzapo beach is a must (about 20km) The trip takes you along the Fernao Veloso peninsula, where Samora Machel used to spend his holidays, past Chocas Mar Beach and then to Relanzapo. Enjoy the turquoise warm sea and the 5 km of isolated beach with a couple of reed picnic huts. Back in Nacala don't forget to buy some of the colourful capulanas (sarongs).

From Nacala it is an hour's drive (50km) through incredible Baobab country to the small airport town Lumbo. Ilha de Mozambique has been declared a World Heritage Site. The island ('Ilya') was first occupied by Arab sailors around 1200 AD and from early 1500 until 1898 served as the 'capital' of the Portuguese colony. It was linked to the mainland by a narrow, 2km long concrete bridge and this is the way you get to Lumbo. Promotur owns the 4-star Omuhipiti Hotel.

The city tour of Ilya will get your cameras rolling: St. Paul Palace was built as a result of the transformation of St Francis Xavier, the Jesuits' College. It was built around 1618-20, on the ruins of the Old Tower (originally St. Gabriel's Tower built in 1507, the year in which the Portuguese occupied the island). Old engravings show that the Chapel and the Palace were different and separate constructions. In the Chapel and Palace there are noteworthy pieces of Portuguese and Indo-Portuguese art.

The fortress of St Sebastiao is a solid, 12-metre high Colossus almost sprawling into the ocean. Built by slave labour in the 1500, its 400 bristling cannons successfully protected the Portuguese interests in both ivory and 'black gold'.

Since the departure of the Portuguese in 1974, this islet has been home to more than 60 000 people and many more visit it regularly from the mainland. The influx has given the island a colourful vibrancy.

Itinerary - 7 nights

• DAY 1: Flight from Johannesburg to Maputo. Transfer to the Holiday Inn Hotel. (B&B)
• DAY 2: Transfer to the airport and flight to Nampula. Meet and greet by our agents Navitur and transfer to Nacala by car. Check into the Maiaia Hotel. (B&B)
• DAY 3: Day excursion to the Relanzapo Beach. You will be collected at 09H00 and will return in the late afternoon. Please take your picnic lunch from the Hotel. Overnight stay at the Maiaia Hotel (B&B & lunch)
• DAY 4: Transfer from Nacala to Ilha de Mozambique. Check into the Hotel Omuhipiti. City tour of Ilha de Mozambique. Overnight stay at the Hotel Omuhipiti. (B&B & lunch)
• DAY 5: Take a walk to the Dugong Dive Centre (5 minutes) and enjoy the boat ride to the surrounding Ilha do Goa or Chocas Beach. The Hotel Omuhipit will prepare the picnic lunch. Drinks can be selected from the bar prior to departure and will be charged for on consumption. Overnight stay at the Hotel Omuhipiti (B&B & lunch)
• DAY 6: Transfer back to Nampula (3 hour drive). Check in for your flight back to Maputoyou’re your flight back to Johannesburg.

Prices include:

International and internal flights (departure from Johannesburg), all accommodation and meals as indicated, all excursions with car and driver, entry permits, all airport-hotel transfers

Not included:

Meals not indicated drinks, visa fee, tips and personal expenses, travel insurance and airport taxes

Prices on request.