'''Vilanculos''' is in Mozambique. It's a popular beach hangout and the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, a group of islands and Mozambique's only underwater national park. The dry season is from May to September with temperatures around 20 degrees. Bring a sweater for the evenings.
Get in
To get to Vilanculos, you have a few options. From Beira it is about a 5-8 hours bus ride over pot hole ridden roads, not the best option, but not expensive either. You can normally fly here from South Africa as well as Beira and Maputo, but most are charter flights or those with their own planes.
Get around
The town is compact and '''walkable'''.
See
Do
Horse Riding
Mozambique Horse Safari. 258 842512910. nfo@mozambiquehorsesafari.com. ttp://www.mozambiquehorsesafari.com. Pat & Mandy specialize in custom-made horse safaris and day rides along the Vilanculos coast and on Benguerra Island in Mozambique. Enjoy long stretches of untouched white sand beaches and magnificent views overlooking the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago. The area is suitable for riders of all levels of ability.
Dhow Safari
Experience the wonder of a traditional sailing dhow gliding through the Bazaruto Archipelago. The islands of Benguerra, Bazaruto, Magaruque and Santa Carolina are complete with azure waters, sandy beaches, palm trees and pristine coral reefs.
Game Fishing
The area surrounding is ranked as the best Black Marlin destination in the Eastern Indian Ocean. The season runs from early October through to end of January each year. The Marlin come close in to the shallow waters around the Islands and can often be found feeding around the shoals of various species of tuna that frequent our waters during this time of the year.
Scuba Diving
The '''Bazaruto Archipelago''' is nearby, an offers some excellent scuba diving on daytrips from Vilanculos. 2-tank dives are the norm, and snorkelers are also welcome. The archipelago's coral reefs and clear waters offer some of the best diving in the world, dive sites are uncrowded and marine life is varied and abundant. With sites at a depth of 12 to 30m and visibility up to 40m you will discover protected reefs teeming with dolphin, hump back whales, whale sharks, sharks, manta and spotted eagle rays, green and turtles.
'''Odyssea Dive''', at Boabab Beach, +258 8278 17130, [mailto:info@odysseadive.com/ info@odysseadive.com], [http://www.odysseadive.com]. PADI certified with fast, inflatable dive boats.
Buy
Drink
Sleep
Budget
'''Smugglers''', ''+258'' 293 82253, [http://www.smugglers.co.za]. Popular with a range of options in various blocks of rooms. Hot water in the shared bathrooms, and a sports bar with satellite TV and pool table with weekly competitions. Tues and Thurs are volleyball night. Swimming pool with a pool bar. Come here if you like to party. R150-525.
'''Zombie Cucumber''', [http://www.zombiecucumber.com]. To get here walk a few minutes south of the town center. Dorms Mts 220,000 Chalets Mts 700,000. Advance bookings not possible.
'''Baobab Beach''', 082 7315420, [http://www.baobabbeach.com]. Head south for about 5 minutes from the center of town. A large place overlooking the beach with many huts and a few that serve as dorms with about 8 beds each. Also good for campers with tents. It's a little quieter up here than the northern end of town.
'''Complexo Alemanho''', +258 82082070
'''Restaurante Na sombra'''Very good restaurant owned by a belgian family. Try the crab. vegian dishes.seafood.spaghetti, al prepared with taste.short waiting-time. budget. rooms are very cheap, with common bathrooms
''' Varanda Restaurant, Bar & Accommodation''', +258 828612540 ; email: varanda.barko@yahoo.com. on the beachfront. Venue with view of the Bazauto islands. The cuisine is a mix of Portuguese and Mozambican. Try the prawn curry. 2 suites with private toilet.1 studio on the top of a kind of moulin...incredible view. suites 70 $ studio 100 $.
''' Turtle Suites''' Very nice suites on the beach with Air con, Wifi, full selfcatering kitchen and Swimming pool with a bar for a reasonable price @ 500 Zar. Contact Silvia for more details wkhugo@gmail.com or +258 828236190.
Mid-range
'''Hotel Ancora''', ''+258'' 293 82444, [mailto:info@ancorasuites.com info@ancorasuites.com], [http://www.ancorasuites.com]. Step out of your room and you are on the beach. Inside, the rooms are luxurious and provide all modern facilities, in case you miss home. Listen to the sound of the waves and let it lull you to sleep. Available access to business center & restaurant. All rooms include Ensuite bathrooms, TV (DSTv) with Movies/Sports/News, Air conditioning, free breakfast and free wifi internet Single $105USD/Double $170USD.
'''Pescador''', ''+258'' 293 82327, [mailto:reservations@pescadormoz.com reservations@pescadormoz.com], [http://www.pescadormoz.com]. Overlooking The Bazaruto Archipelago, Pescador Hotel offers exclusive accommodation and fine dining in the vibrant coastal town of Vilankulo. All rooms have magnificent ocean views and air conditioning. There is also a salt water swimming pool and five fully equipped offices, with ADSL access. US$115 - US$130/person/night.
'''Casa Rex''', ''+258'' 293 82048, [mailto:casarex@teledata.mz casarex@teledata.mz], [http://www.casa-rex.com]. Offering travellers a sublime stopover in Vilanculos, Casa Rex is reminiscent of a gracious area. Sip sundowners on the terrace or refresh yourself in the swimming pool overlooking the harbour. Encompassed in lush gardens overlooking Vilanculos Bay it_fs the perfect place to end the day _c.. or begin one. US$95 - US$130/person/night.
'''Deacra''', ''+258'' 293 84076, [mailto:cally@tdm.co.mz cally@tdm.co.mz], [http://www.deacra.com]. Deacra ensures exceptional views of the tranquil Indian Ocean. Offering self catering as well as B&B accommodation, the houses each comprise of 3 twin bedrooms all with bathrooms en-suite and a private swimming pool. US$75/person/night.
'''Vilanculos Beach Lodge''', (''at the northern end of Vilanculos''), ''+258'' 293 82388, [mailto:beachlodge@teledata.mz/ beachlodge@teledata.mz], [http://www.vilanculos.co.za]. R850-1050/night.
'''Casa Guci''', 082 868 6540, [http://www.casaguci.com]. A German owned resort with 3 chalets, 2-4 beds in each and fully equipped kitchens. Has a small swimming pool and a restaurant that serves European and local food, including good pizzas. ?60/R480/person for self catering or ?85/R680/person for full board.
Contact
'''TDM''' in the village has a couple of computers offering internet access.
Get out
Fly out of here to:
Swaziland
Kruger National Park
Manzini
Mpumalanga
.