Mozambique's northern coast

Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, Mozambique Island.  Built in 1522, this church is the oldest European constructed building in the southern hemisphere.

Inside the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, Mozambique Island.

Drinking tea and relaxing on the Mozambique Island coast at sunset. 

A stretch of Wimbi Beach, Pemba, Mozambique.

Looking out at the Ibo Island Hotel at Ibo Island, Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique.

Taking a break at Ibo Island Lodge, Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique.

A statue wlecoming guests at the entrance of Miti Miwiri, Ibo Island, Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique. 

                While the business world is looking to the Mozambique for their massive oil and gas reserves, tourists come here for their famous beaches and dive sites.   From a tourist perspective Mozambique can be separated into two zones: north and south.  In fact, Mozambique wasn’t even connected by a road (the Zambezi River separated the country in two) until 2009.  This has created two subsets of tourism on the coast as well. 

                The southern coast (Maputo to  Sofala) is the most popular section of Mozambique due to ease of access and proximity to South Africa.  During the South African holiday season (December and Easter break), these areas are packed with tourists.  There are stretches of beach that include diving with whales and whale shark.  Furthermore, this area is much better equipped to handle high levels of tourists. 

                The northern coast (Zalala Beach to Quirimbas Archipelago) is more popular for their history, ruins, and archipelago.  Mozambique Island was the first center of this former Portugese colony, Pemba is a center close to Wimbi Beach, and the Quirimbas Archipelago is known for pristine, untouched tropical areas and beaches.  Few tourists come to this area and traveling in this section of Mozambique is extremely difficult. 

                For a challenge and a glimpse into the fourth poorest country in the world, Mozambique is a solid choice.  For whale shark diving and nice beaches, Mozambique is a solid choice.  For working roads, good communications, and comfort; Mozambique is not your choice. 

Malawian people

Children posing at Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi.

The children love to have their picture taken.  Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi.

Children fishing by on the shore.  Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi.

                Malawi is a landlocked country that is famous for catastrophes, famines, and AIDS.  But any savvy African traveler will tell you the real reason Malawi should be famous: their people.      

                While almost all Malawians understand Chichewa, English is widely spoken.  Since most Malawians speak English it is easy to identify their main attribute as some of the friendliest people you will ever encounter.  This is one reason that despite transportation problems (abysmal getting around), high infant mortality rate (8%, there’s only 1 doctor for every 65,000 people), low life expectancy (51 years old), and low income that people call Malawi the “Africa for Beginners”: their friendliness. 

                Their children are some of the most boisterous and engaging African children you will ever meet.  After one week I was thoroughly frustrated at getting around, but loving the people and country at the same time.            

Victoria Falls

Taking a zipline through the Victoria Falls gorge.

Riding an elephant and going on a safari!

A view of the falls from the Zimbabwe side.

Up close to the falls on the Zimbabwe side inside Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

A view of the falls from the Zambia side.

A view of Victoria Falls from the microlight.

Standing at the top of the falls at Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zamiba.

                One of the premier sites of Africa is Victoria Falls.  This falls is a section of the Zambezi River sitting on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and is one of the three major falls in the world (Niagara Falls on the New York/Canada border and Iguaçu Falls on the Brazil/Argentina border are the other two).  While it is not the widest or tallest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls is the largest fall when taking into consideration height, width, and average flow. 

                Victoria Falls was founded by David Livingstone in 1855 during an expedition to the center of Africa, and named them after the current queen of England, Queen Victoria.  There were rumors of the falls prior to Livingstone’s discovery, and afterwards people refused to believe in the existence of a fall of such magnitude.  On the construction of the Victoria Falls bridge in 1905 (initially constructed to exploit and transport minerals north of the Zambezi), access to the falls became much easier and the tourism era began. 

                Today you can bungee jump, gorge swing, zip line, abseil, micro light fly, take a helicopter, whitewater raft, canoe, and ride elephants in one of the best adrenaline locations in the world.  I was at the falls during the peak flow of the year (mid-May) while low flow is in mid-November and flows at only 4% of peak flow conditions.  Unfortunately, you cannot go to the famous Devils Pool (where you swim at the edge of the falls) nor go whitewater rafting this time of year due to the high water levels.  I ended up zip lining, abseiling, taking a micro light flight, and elephant ride safari during my four days on the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides of the falls. 

Victoria Falls statistics

Height:                                 360 ft

Width:                                 5,604 ft (just over a mile)

Average flow:                     287,606 gallons/second

Peak flow:                            792,461 gallons/second