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Once considered an apres-safari wind-down, the Mozambique Riviera is emerging as a destination in its own right.
The coastline offers two enchanted archipelagos — Quirimbas in the north, Bazaruto in the south — a history which wraps together African, Arab and Portuguese influences, and 1,500 miles of beaches.
Yes, getting there can be a trek but it's worth it. Here are some of the best places to stay . . .
Rest and relaxation
Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort, pictured, is a series of bungalows on a secluded beach
Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort is a series of bungalows on a secluded beach on a peninsula, 40 minutes' drive from the port of Pemba. The entire place has been created to help you unwind — though you can also try windsurfing, kite surfing, fishing and diving.
Don't miss: Local flavour of Ngoma village and Pemba; whale-watching (August to October).
Details: Seven nights full-board, £2,220 per couple, mequfibeach.diamondsresorts.com
Perfect sunsets
Ibo Island Lodge, pictured, is a 11-bedroom guesthouse in a prime waterfront location, with gardens, good food and caring service
Once the business and cultural heart of the Quirimbas archipelago in the north of the Southern African country, Ibo has been a junction for the best part of a millennium — since Arab traders ranged the coastline in search of gold, ivory and slaves.
After independence from Portugal in 1975, Ibo suffered a mass colonial exodus. Ibo Island Lodge is a 11-bedroom guesthouse in a prime waterfront location, with gardens, good food and caring service.
Don't miss: Tours of 16th century forts and crumbling Portuguese architecture.
Details: From £4,270 for two people staying seven nights, includes all meals, daily boat transfers to the lodge's sandbank and island tour. Honeymooners get a private beach dinner and sundowner cruise, iboisland.com.
Rich in history
Jardim dos Aloes, Mozambique Island, is close to several museums, fortresses, mosques, churches and temples, as well as the British Memorial Cemetery
Jardim dos Aloes, Mozambique Island, is a family-run 'friend's house' occupying a restored colonial property on Ilha de Mocambique — the former Portuguese capital where the local ruler, Mussa bin Bique, unwittingly gave his name to what became Mozambique.
Enjoy breakfast in the shade of almond trees and take a tour to museums, fortresses, mosques, churches and temples. At the mainland port of Lumbo, visit the British Memorial Cemetery, commemorating the dead of World War I.
Don't miss: Homemade cakes, quiches and aloe products.
Details: A special package for 2017 offers seven nights B&B for the price of six, from £688 per room in low season, and up to £853 in high season. jardim-dos-aloes.com/en/
Dunes and mangroves
Coral Lodge 15.41 is a relaxing and peaceful ten-villa lodge protected by dunes and mangrove forests, pictured
The '15.41' in the name Coral Lodge 15.41 refers to the lodge's co-ordinates — useful if you want to drop in by yacht or airship.
This is a relaxing and peaceful ten-villa lodge protected by dunes and mangrove forests, on a peninsula pointing towards the Island of Mozambique.
Don't miss: Visits to uninhabited adjacent islands.
Details: £2,850 for two people staying seven nights, full board, newmarkhotels.com.
Good enough to eat
At the Dugong Beach Lodge — in the 30,000-hectare Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary — prawns are served sizzled and curried to perfection
Dugongs are marine mammals similar to sea lions, only friendlier. The waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago are their last sustainable natural habitat — they lurk in the seagrass.
An altogether more edible local speciality is the prized Mozambique prawn.
At the Dugong Beach Lodge — in the 30,000-hectare Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary — they are served sizzled and curried to perfection.
Don't miss: Day trips around the Bazaruto Ar chipelago.
Details: £5,120 for two people for seven nights, full board, legendhospitality.co.za.
Back to basics
Anvil Bay, pictured, comprises of nine luxury canvas casinhas dotted along the coast in Maputo Special Reserve
Mozambique is all about idiosyncratic, one-of-a-kind resorts. Anvil Bay comes as close to glamping as it can without you sleeping rough. Comprising nine luxury canvas casinhas dotted along the coast in Maputo Special Reserve.
This creates a home-grown eco buzz in a pristine coastal setting, as well as a striking assortment of furniture seemingly evolved from the bush.
Don't miss: Coastal elephants.
Details: A four-night full-board package for two from £1,600 pp, including helicopter transfer from Maputo, anvilbay.com.
Easy going
The White Pearl Resort in Ponta Mamoli, pictured, is a cluster of timber lofts embedded in a hillside that cascades down to a lagoon
When the beach club set are priced out of St Tropez, they will come here.
White Pearl Resort, in Ponta Mamoli, is a cluster of timber lofts embedded in a hillside that cascades down to a lagoon.
The beach club vibe is conveyed by trendy 'egg' chairs, arty decor, day beds, good food and great service.
Don't miss: Swimming with the friendly dolphins.
Details: Seven-night full-board stays for two people start at £7,750, whitepearlresorts.com
TRAVEL FACTSBritish Airways (ba.com, 0344 493 0787) and South African Airways (flysaa.com, 0 844 375 9681) fly to Johannesburg.
South African Airways' Airlink has onward connections to Mozambique (flyairlink.com).
Source: Africa's new Riviera: Seven special places to stay on Mozambique's 1,500 miles of glorious beaches
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