At a Glance
Dates: October 4th - October 20th, 2025
Extension: We do not currently offer any extensions to this itinerary.
Prices: £11,750 pp sharing (with a £250 single supplement), excluding international flights.
In a sentence: Explore some of Africa's greatest wildernesses, from the inselbergs of Niassa to the superb Zambeze Delta and the crystal-clear waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago.
Overview
Mozambique is finally re-emerging as a world-class safari destination, thanks in large part of the excellent ongoing conservation efforts in Gorongosa National Park. Perhaps less heralded, but by no means less impressive, is the work being done in Niassa and Coutada 11. Niassa, sitting on the border with Tanzania, is a truly Gargantuan wilderness area, offering some of the largest tracts of unspoiled savanna anywhere on the continent. Here, packs of wild dog, large herds of buffalo, lion, leopard and much more are all present in good numbers thanks to the conservation model adopted by local concession-owners. Further south, Coutada 11 is also a 'multi-use ecosystem', benefitting from admirable efforts to bolster existing wildlife populations and bring in species that have been extirpated. This is perhaps the best area in Mozambique to view big cats, as well as a rich diversity of plains game. Finally, Bazaruto is a superb location in which to end your tour. Boasting turqouise waters and picture-perfect islands, the archipelago is breath-takingly beautiful, but also protects an impressive amount of wildlife. This is a stronghold for the dugong, but also several species of dolphin (including Indo-Pacific bottlenose and Indian Ocean humpback), and each year the islands bear witness to a mass migration of humpback whales through the Mozambique Channel. This tour is adventurous, of course, but the rewards for those who choose to venture off the beaten path can be remarkable.
Itinerary
Day One
Lichinga
On arrival into Lichinga you will be met by your tour leader and local guide and transferred to your basic city centre hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with a pre-tour briefing in the hotel this evening.
Day Two
Niassa
This morning our tour begins in earnest! It is a full-day drive, over increasingly poor roads, to allow us to reach our remote campsite in Niassa by sunset. Our set-up here is relatively basic, nestled deep in a game-rich concession within the reserve, with a basic campsite (small dome-style tents with stretcher beds) and limited facilities. This is an authentic and enjoyable way to spend one's time in Niassa, and we are sure the anticipation will be rising tonight as we look forward to our first day in the reserve tomorrow.
Days Three to Seven
Niassa
Five full days are now set aside for us to explore all that Niassa has to offer. This vast wilderness has a very limited road network, but each day we will set out on drives on these tracks to locate some of this area's reclusive wildlife. Niassa is known as a stronghold for both lion and wild dog, and these will be key targets for us during our stay. This is also one of the very best areas in Mozambique for memorable encounters with leopard and buffalo (the latter often present in huge herds), but the truth is that there is really no telling what we may spot whilst we are here.
Driving barely scratches the surface of Niassa, though, and we recommend taking advantage of lengthy walks into the bush. Not only does this offer a unique perspective of the bush here, but also increases your chances of encountering 'big game', as well as a wide array of grazers and smaller mammals. A more relaxing way to experience this wilderness is to take to the river in kayaks, winding downstream - this vantage point offers excellent photographic opportunities, particularly for birders, and is a great opportunity to enjoy sightings of herds of elephants coming to drink at the water's edge.
Each night will be spent at camp, listening to the noises of the bush and enjoying the warm hospitality of the local team.
Day Eight
Lichinga
Regrettably, we must leave Niassa behind today, as we retrace our steps to Lichinga on a full-day drive today. On arrival, a cold shower and beer at the hotel will be most welcome as we look forward to exploring Central Mozambique in the days to come.
Day Nine
Beira
This morning we transfer to Lichinga Airport, where we meet a short flight across to Nampula. Here, we transfer to our next flight to Beira. Arriving by late evening, we transfer from the airport to our comfortable local hotel, where we overnight.
Day Ten
Coutada 11
This morning, we are back on the trail of some of Mozambique's best wildlife! We transfer across the beautiful Zambeze Delta, arriving at our superb camp in Coutada 11 in time for a late lunch and an opportunity to settle in.
This afternoon our exploration of the area by vehicle will begin in earnest. The coutada, a hunting area, has in recent years been host to a stirring conservation effort that has restored the ecosystem and its wildlife densities to excellent health. Cheetah have returned here, and lion and leopard are well-seen. However, many guests leave with the impression that the antelope are the real stars here, with a startling diversity of ungulates to be found. The densely forested areas of the coutada support Lichtenstein's hartebeest, suni, Natal red duiker and much more, whilst the open plains support the highly-localised Selous' zebra, as well as common eland, sable, blue wildebeest and waterbuck. Drives here are often hugely productive, and we are sure our stay here is likely to start with a bang.
Days Eleven to Twelve
Coutada 11
The next two days are set aside to get under the skin of the impressive Zambeze Delta. We may opt to spend more time on the vast floodplains, where lion, cheetah and so many antelope species can be found. If not, the woodland supports a decent head of leopard and some of the shiest ungulates in residence in the coutada. The birding here is also particularly impressive, and diligent and patient birders are sure to leave with some excellent photographs of residents such as Narina trogon.
Day Thirteen
Beira
We bid farewell to the coutada today, as we transfer back to Beira, where we overnight.
Day Fourteen
Vilanculos
Today is very much a travel day today, as we leave Beira at first light for the long drive (over very poor roads) to the coastal town of Vilanculos. Here, we overnight at a lovely beachside hotel.
Days Fifteen to Sixteen
Vilanculos
We have two full days to explore the natural beauty and wealth of the famous Bazaruto Archipelago. A private boat is set aside for our group on both days, allowing us to move around at our own pace. We recommend spending mornings, when the sea state is at its slightest before winds build throughout the day, scanning the calm waters for signs of dugong, which are present here in good numbers. this is also a great time to locate cetaceans - humpback whales are typically found further offshore, but dolphin species including spinner and Indian Ocean humpback are regularly seen here.
When not enjoying the wildlife, the snorkelling is some of the very best in Africa, with coral reefs that have largely escaped the mass bleaching events reported elsewhere in the region. Two-Mile Reef in particular is famed for its world-class snorkelling, with a rich diversity of fishlife and sea turtles also likely to be in attendance. Each evening will be spent enjoying the relaxed ambience and great food at our hotel.
Day Seventeen
Tour End
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and today guests are transferred to Vilanculos Airport for their homeward flights.
Please be aware that whilst we make every effort to follow the above itinerary as closely as possible, circumstances may
occasionally arise that mean the tour deviates from the itinerary.
Dates and Prices
This tour will run in October 2025, aiming to take advantage of the dry season when wildlife populations congregate around water sources. The tour will run from October 4th to October 20th.
The cost of this trip is £11,750 per person excl. flights. This includes all meals, accommodation and wildlife-focussed activities. Drinks are not included. We regret that we must levy a single supplement of £250 pp for this trip. To secure a booking, a deposit payment of £3,550 must be paid.
Flights and Visas
Pictus Safaris do not offer flight booking services. However, we do recommend the use of travel comparison websites such as skyscanner.net or momondo.com to identify the best fares, and then booking with the airline directly where possible. This will reduce the likelihood of complications and fees should any issues with your booking arise. If you wish to spend an additional night in Mozambique at the beginning or end of your tour, we can arrange this for you at an extra cost.
British nationals no longer require a visa to enter Mozambique, provided a small fee is paid on arrival. Clients of other nationalities are advised to check well before travel whether they require an entry visa.
Weather and What to Bring
The weather in Mozambique in October is hot and dry, with maximum temperatures of around 29 degrees Celsius. At night, temperatures will drop to around 15 degrees Celsius. As this is the very end of the dry season, rain is possible should the wet season arrive early.
A full packing list will be circulated at least two months prior to departure. Pictus Safaris will be able to provide one extra set of binoculars and two spotlights per group, and clients are welcome to bring additional camera, videography and scope equipment should they wish to. Please note that the use of drones is not permitted in many protected areas. We strongly recommend bringing comfortable, loose-fitting and neutral-coloured clothing on safari - please do not bring camouflage clothing. We recommend against dark coloured clothing (e.g. black or dark blue) as this attracts biting flies. Worn-in hiking boots with ankle support are a must, as are sunglasses, sun protection and a hat.
Do also remember to budget for any expenses not included in the cost of the trip, including for gratuities and additional activities. We recommend bringing US Dollars and Euros.
Safety and Security
The security situation in Mozambique is good, but with some unrest in the far north-east of the country. There are currently no security concerns in any of the areas visited during this tour.
Book Now
To secure a booking on this fantastic holiday, please contact us at contact@pictus-safaris.com.