On this 8 day itinerary, we will spend the time discovering the little known and little visited wilderness of the Quirimbas National Park.  Sea kayaking through the warm, blue waters of the Mozambique Channel and camping on tropical islands.
Turquoise clear waters and beautiful scenery awaits you – as well as a host of local fishermen to meet and interact with along the way.

The Quirimbas Islands lie in the Indian Ocean off northeastern Mozambique, close to Pemba, the capital of the province of Cabo Delgado. The Quirimbas Archipelago was almost forgotten and has only recently opened up to the outside world.
Life here is slow paced and charming.  Thick mangrove forests, craggy tropical islands and a wild aquatic world make up this remote region.   We will kayak into wild frontiers, an unequalled experience in one of the last undeveloped places in Africa.
The islands are well spaced and allow for excellent kayaking, dhow cruising, snorkelling, swimming and exploring. The entire archipelago is tide dependent and so your routing will have to be carefully worked out based on local knowledge and weather and tide conditions.
Wild waters and winding channels are the scenery around you. The adventure kayaking is done true expedition style.   We kayak from one tropical island to another; beach stops are frequent, and camp overnight on uninhabited islands. Camping open fire dinners under the stars, and set up mobile tents on sparsely populated islands.
We end our adventure with some well deserved luxury at Ibo Island Lodge.

Please note whilst on expedition all camping will be bush or island camping with no facilities what so ever. Washing water will be limited, and meals simple and nutritious based on the dry stocks able to be carried and the availability of fresh fish and seafood. The itinerary will need to be totally flexible and is weather and tide dependent. You are however assured of adventure against a backdrop of varied and pristine scenery. Services of an English speaking crew member and 2 Mozambican dhow crew.

Itinerary
Day 1 and 2:
You will be met at the airport and shown to your transfer vehicle for the 3-hour road transfer to Mucojo. Arrive Mucojo and dhow transfer to Mogundula Island. Relax or enjoy a paddle around the island – maybe even a visit to Panagane. In our opinion Mogundula Island is one of the best in the archipelago. Known by the locals as the island with the sacred lake it provides beautiful bird watching, pristine swimming off the sandbank beach and excellent snorkelling en-route. Overnight camping and exploring on Mogundula Island. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. All drinks including bottled water to clients own expense.
Days 3
Start of Kayak Safari – Mogundula Island to Ulumbwa Depart Mogundula for your exploration into the Quirimbas Archipelago! Kayak into the clearest of blue water with pristine corals below to explore underwater snorkel.
Day 4: Sea and Interior Kayak Expedition: Ulumbwa to Matemo Island
We have an early morning paddle up the ulumbwa estuary where we will get the chance to view the large variety of birds and mangroves that thrive in this area. In the afternoon we take a tour through this fishing village, getting to know the ways of these fishermen & women. We then paddle on into the clearest of blue water with corals below with a stop on the south western tip of Matemo Island. Overnight camping Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. All drinks including bottled water to clients own expense.
Days 5 6 & 7: Matemo Island to Ibo Island Kayak to Ibo Island. Ibo Island is a place where time has stood still, and people live pretty much the way they always have done for hundreds of years. The locals call it ‘Ilha Do Ibo.’ Ibo Island is probably the most visited in the Quirimbas Archipelago due to its fascinating history and beautiful old buildings. Lying to the north of Quirimba, historic Ibo Island was where Vasco da Gama rested in 1502. Probably the most compelling attraction in the Quirimbas, Ibo's 200-year-old ghost town and 16th Century forts make for a fascinating journey to an era long forgotten. Ibo Island Lodge is the perfect place to start to explore the Quirimbas Archipelago National Park in Northern Mozambique. Ibo Island’s magic is overwhelming. Steeped in history, rich in culture and nominated as a potential World Heritage Site, the island dates back to the early 1600’s, making it one of the most ancient settlements in Mozambique. Since its role as one of the country’s mighty trading centres, Ibo has remained all but forgotten to the outside world for almost a century. Today you can wander around the mysterious town amongst forts and ancient romantic buildings with many fascinating stories just waiting to be retold. Ibo Island however boasts much more than historical significance. This island is one of the most pristine destinations in Africa. The warm turquoise waters surrounding Ibo are inhabited by turtles and tropical fish; viewings of dolphins and whales are frequent whilst the bird life is abundant and varied. In and around Ibo Island you will encounter idyllic beaches and explore rich coral reefs. The lodge has prime, spectacular views over the waterfront and accommodates guests in beautifully yet simple decorated rooms. Historic colonial mansions with high ceilings have been stylishly renovated to accommodate the lodge with various verandas, tropical gardens and a spectacular roof top restaurant that provides the ideal venue to watch the sun go down. The emphasis at Ibo Island Lodge is on complete relaxation and a base from which to explore magical Ibo Island. On Ibo Island become immersed in the unchanged, ancient culture of Ibo and the chance to interact with wonderfully hospitable islanders, or simply relax at one of the pools, refresh the senses with a massage and soak up the exotic atmosphere. Overnight Ibo Island Lodge Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. All drinks including bottled water to clients own expense
Day 8: Ibo Island to Pemba An included beautiful light aircraft flight over the islands and turquoise waters transfers you to Pemba International Airport from Ibo Island Lodge.

Expedition Grade Moderate This expedition is considered moderate as there are no long walks and our paddling days of 4 hours are broken up by lunch and swims. There is also a dhow support boat