Yes, I know it is February and it has taken me forever to post things from my jaunt across the African continent. But, there is just so much stuff.
Figured I would start with the shortest trip during the three weeks I was traveling and work my way backwards.
Here is how my time in Vilanculos, Mozambique went.
If you’re interested in how much any part of this cost, click here.
Sunday, December 24th
On Christmas Eve, we flew from Johannesburg to Vilanculos.
The flight was with LAM Mozambique Airlines and only took about an hour and a half. Couldn’t tell you the last time I was on a propeller plane? Pretty fun.
Also, for it being such a quick flight, they still gave us a whole box of snacks. Probably one of the best granola bars I’ve ever tasted was inside the box too.
We arrived at around 1pm and got through security pretty fast. FYI – we had read everywhere that the cost of the visa-on-arrival for Mozambique was $50.00 USD, but it ended up only being $11.00 USD per person.
We had arranged pick up with our hotel prior to beginning the trip and I wanted to draw your attention to a message we received from them when we confirmed the pick up.
Mastercard was NOT WORKING in the entire country of Mozambique. Thankfully, I don’t use MC, but imagine if I did? Imagine if I was already there and went to pay my hotel tab and couldn’t use my card because it was blocked or something in the entire country. Madness.
The pick up went well though, and we made our way to the beautiful Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel.
The pictures won’t even do this hotel justice because the grounds were so clean, so beautiful and lush.
After check-in we were escorted to our room – the Seaview Bedroom.
Our room had two beds (it was me and my bestie, Jummy), and this HUGE patio overlooking the water under us. Beautiful room, the place looked brand new.
Heads up – uhm, the toilet area is not particularly private. Yes, there is a door to where it is, but it doesn’t lock or fully close. You can pretty much hear everything and if you’re someone who might get belly issues while you travel, eh, might make things a little uncomfortable with the other person traveling with you. Also, the shower is completely glass. I can see this being cutesy if you’re on a honeymoon….. but I was there with my friend.
So yeah, nudity and not much privacy for either bathroom activities.
Jummy and I immediately took a walk down to the water. Prepare yourself, there is A LOT of stairs. I wouldn’t classify this hotel as somewhere particularly accessible. If you plan on going to the beach at all here, just wanted to give the heads up.
Unfortunately at the the time we went down, it was low tide and there was a lot of seaweed. But, it didn’t matter, we were just so damn happy to be there.
We decided to spend our afternoon by the pool. Listen, I am NOT a pool-person when I travel to beach destinations but this pool? I mean, look at the content.
Also, being able to order food and cocktails to where we were sitting poolside was nice. Got a good shawarma and fries!
Spent the whole afternoon/early evening just hanging out by the pool and then we got changed and went to dinner at the hotels main dining area.
The food was great, there is a big selection on their menu and I got the crab ravioli. Yum.
Our server was named Rui and if anyone reads this and meets Rui – he is the BEST. Every day we hoped we would run into him at the food service area. He was probably one of the best parts of staying at Bahia Mar. Impeccable customer service, kind and fun to talk to.
When we went back to our room to turn in for the night we also had a pleasant surprise there. I had never been to a hotel that does turndown service? They had put down the mosquito nets, our pillows were changes and they even left us a Christmas ornament and card. This was soooo lovely.
Great end to a great Christmas Eve.
Monday, December 25th
I WAS SO EXCITED FOR THIS DAY!!!
(Merry Christmas)
Today we had an awesome excursion booked, and I had been watching random YouTube and TikTok videos about it this destination for months.
First, breakfast, which was included in the cost of our stay at Bahia Mar.
What we really liked about the breakfast there was the huge spread of fruit and pastries alongside a whole menu of dishes you could order like eggs benedict etc. Make sure you also try the parfait, I don’t even like those usually, but theirs? 10/10
Off to the excursion we went with our full bellies.
Another day of low tide was pretty cool. I couldn’t believe how HIGH and LOW this thing gets. I travel a lot, but I don’t think I have ever seen a tide so low, that we damn near walked a kilometer into the water to get onto our boat for the day. Cool.
First we went to Bazaruto Island.
This is something out of National Geographic. You get to a little island that is uninhabited and has this gorgeous water. I have seen sandbanks, but this is like SAND DUNES. There is even foliage growing on it. Remarkable.
Make sure you bring water shoes for this excursion. Not because of any rocks in the water, no no, that is perfect white sand. Bring them if you want to climb the sand dunes. I burned the FUCK out of my feet climbing up there. The sand is very hot and it hurts. Don’t be like me, be prepared.
We made a next stop at Banguerra Island, which was close by.
This place looks like a postcard. It was especially cool watching the tide starting to rise gradually and parts that were just sand, be covered by water.
Epic photo opportunities here.
We returned to Bazaruto for a bit and had lunch, burned our feet some more walking on wood planks that were in the sun all day. Fantastic. Never a bad time for an adventure.
Make sure you do this excursion if you get to Vilanculos. It was absolutely the highlight. We booked ours directly with Bahia Mar, but there are lots of tourism companies you can book with as well.
During the boat ride, Jummy and I made friends with the captain of our boat – Nelson. Shout out to Nelson because he was like ‘you guys wanna go to a party tonight?‘ and were like ‘hell yeah‘. Because what is the point of going somewhere and staying on just the hotel grounds or excursions? Having fun with the locals is waaaaaaay better, so we did that.
At about 10pm, Nelson came to get us and we walked over to a street party that was about 15 minutes from our hotel. VIBES. They love some Pop Smoke (rip) here and they even played some Drake. I was happy to be drinking a rum and coke out of glass, at a street party? YES.
We also took a tuktuk at some point to check a next party, but eventually just went back to the street because it was way more fun. I loved this experience, the locals are super friendly and down for a good party. I’m not sure if this is weekly or because it was Christmas? I don’t know. But Jummy and I had a BLAST.
Tuesday, December 26th
I don’t have much for you today.
Just woke up hungover from the night before, had breakfast and then spent the whole day lounging by the pool.
It was slightly overcast this day and we were just happy to relax. We tried the REAL peri peri chicken at the hotel and it was way better than whatever this garbage is they give us in Toronto. Make sure you try that specific dish while in Mozambique.
The only other thing of note today was when I went to pay for the second half of our stay and my food bill – my Visa card did not work. Remember, I said Mastercard was not working? Well apparently my Visa card would not as well. I was lucky because my Visa Debit bank card did work. I have to tell you, to ensure no headaches in Mozambique, please come with cash. Just bring the damn cash. My heart sunk to my ass when my Visa card wouldn’t work because how the hell am I supposed to pay??? Yeah, bring cash here, save yourself the headaches with cards.
If you can – please visit Vilanculos.
This was such a chill and beautiful place, with really nice locals and amazing food.
Bazaruto and Banguerra are necessary for all of you to visit, if you’re in the area. I know Bahia Mar is a bit on the expensive side, but it was worth the money to stay there. I would return in a heartbeat if Mozambique wasn’t so damn far from Toronto.
Hopefully, I will be adding my Johannesburg and Lagos recap to this…… soon.
- Mirna
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