Mozambique will always be a bit of a wild card Southern African tour destination. Unlike its neighbour, South Africa, Mozambique is a lot more intriguing and tends to have a bit of a reputation for being the sort of country that only the more adventurous will travel to.
But that reputation is being chipped away, slowly but surely, with the increasing popularity of Mozambique tours. These days, Mozambique is a true African paradise and just the place to go if what you are looking for is a beach escape that is rustic but luxurious, off the beaten track but still just a few hours’ drive from a big city.
In this blog, we’re taking you to Vilanculos, one of Mozambique’s most popular spots for tourists and a town that is included in many Mozambique tour itineraries. Home to fascinating shops, spectacular lodges and other places to stay, and an atmosphere that can’t be forgotten, Vilanculos is a must-visit destination and we are going to help you make the most of your time here.
What is the most interesting thing about Vilanculos, Mozambique?
Before it earned the reputation of being a top tourist destination, the town was a quiet fishing village, where locals would spend their days casting their nets into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. However, with its prime coastal location, it wasn’t long before it became a key player in Mozambique’s bustling trade routes, welcoming merchants and sailors from all over the globe.
Now, the name “Vilanculos” itself?
That comes from a local chief named Gamala Vilankulo, who was a pretty big deal back in the day. Over time, his name became synonymous with this coastal town, as it grew from a modest village to the tourist hotspot we know today.
But what’s really cool about Vilanculos is its unique mix of cultures.
On one hand, you’ve got that incredible traditional Mozambican heritage, with its unique customs, music, and languages. On the other, there’s a dash of Portuguese colonial history thrown into the mix, with cobbled streets, colonial architecture, and, of course, some seriously tasty Portuguese-inspired cuisine.
The area is also absolutely beautiful!
Vilanculos, and nearby Bazaruto, is well-known for its coral reefs, which are full of colour and life. This makes Vilanculos a top destination to go diving and snorkelling, the ultimate underwater paradise!
Surprising Facts About Vilanculos to Impress Your Friends With
Vilanculos will have you falling in love with its laidback lifestyle, its scenic beauty and its ability to pull you away from all of the stresses of everyday life. To help you get into that holiday mood, here’s what else makes Vilanculos magical.
- Vilanculos is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, often called the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.”
While Vilanculos is the town with all the lodges and the excellent places to eat and even do a little bit of shopping, its proximity to the Bazaruto Archipelago is what makes the town so popular with divers and other sea explorers.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is a chain of islands within a national park, off the coast of Mozambique but close enough to mainland situated Vilanculos.
Bazaruto Archipelago is pretty iconic, especially in the diving world and there are multiple tours that take visitors to the island every day, both on modern water crafts and on traditional dhows. When on the Archipelago guests get to see all sorts of sea life, such as manta rays, humpback whales, leatherback turtles and so much more.
- You can spot dugongs in the waters surrounding Vilanculos.
Along with all the fascinating things you can see in the waters off of Vilanculos, you can also spot the dugong, which is a cousin to the manatee. Unlike the manatee, the dugong only lives in seawater and can be seen occasionally during marine tours.
The waters off the coast of Vilanculos are one of the only places in the world where you can see the dugong.
- The town is known for its dhow safaris
So much of Mozambique’s culture comes from the sea, and the past generations who lived here created their very own boat, the dhow, which they used to make their way along the choppy ocean waters to fish.
These days dhows are still very much in use, both for fishing and for tourism. And one of the absolute must-dos in Vilanculos is hopping aboard a traditional dhow for a safari on the water. Not only is such a trip quite an exciting experience, but it will also give you some of the best views, of both the ocean and the coastline.
- Vilanculos is famous for its kite-surfing.
Feeling extra adventurous? Then kite-surfing might be just what you need to scratch that itch. This sport is certainly not for the faint-hearted and it can be rather challenging if you’ve never done it before, but the experience is well worth the giggles and laughs you’ll have while attempting it.
Between April and September, in particular, when the rains mostly stop and the weather becomes dry, the conditions become perfect for kite-surfing and there are a few places where you can sign up for the experience, such as 360 Kite, and the Kitesurfing Centre.
- The local cuisine is a delicious combination of Portuguese, Arab, and African flavours
Think fresh seafood, peri-peri chicken, and cashew nuts! The flavours are out of this world and perfect for the coast’s hot and balmy climate. You’ll look forward to every meal time when you stay in Vilanculos.
- The Vilanculos International Airport makes it easy for visitors to fly in directly from South Africa.
Although the destination is a bit remote, what with it being 750km from Maputo, it does have its own airport, which allows travellers to fly in rather than have to take on the long and dusty road. Even if you book a tour in the area, your guide will usually be able to meet you in the town while there are also tour options that include travel arrangements, to help you out.
- Vilanculos is a bird watcher’s paradise, with over 180 species to spot, especially near the coastal mangroves.
One of the best places to catch sight of all sorts of birds is around the coastal mangroves in Vilanculos, where the local birdlife thrives.
You might see flamingos wading gracefully in the shallows, pelicans gliding over the ocean, or rare species like the elusive crab plover perched on the sandbanks. The mangroves create a perfect haven for both migratory and resident birds, making it a year-round hotspot for bird watching.
- The locals speak a dialect of Portuguese and Xitswa, a local language.
When you visit Vilanculos, you’ll hear a beautiful mix of languages floating through the air. The locals here primarily speak Portuguese, but you’ll also catch the rhythmic sounds of Xitswa, a language indigenous to the region.
Portuguese is the official language, used in schools, business, and daily interactions with visitors, so you’ll find it easy to communicate if you speak a little Portuguese or even Spanish. However, Xitswa is the heart and soul of local conversation. It’s spoken in homes, markets, and among the local communities, carrying with it centuries of history and tradition.
Learning a few basic Xitswa phrases can go a long way in connecting with the locals.