National park · Mozambique
Bazaruto Archipelago National ParkParque Nacional Arquipélago de Bazaruto
Enter Bazaruto Archipelago National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (≈1500 MZN) and take a short walk to the dunes before 10 am, or spend a full day snorkeling and hiking with a guide in the dry season (May–Nov).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Mozambique ↗Many Western passports are visa-exempt for 30 days but still need an approved travel authorisation from the official evisa.gov.mz portal before departure; it cannot be bought on arrival.
- Mozambique ↗Carry your passport or a certified copy at all times; police document checks are common.
- Mozambique ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of Cabo Delgado province in the north; check your own government's advice for the exact areas.
At a glance
- Country
- Mozambique
- Area
- 1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
- Area estimates differ: the park covers about 1 200 km² of marine and island territory, with roughly 900 km² sea and 300 km² land (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Bazaruto Archipelago National Park protects a remote island chain of five main islands and surrounding reefs, offering sand dunes, pristine coral habitats and the country's only official marine reserve, home to dugongs, sea turtles and diverse reef life.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteOnly official marine reserve in Mozambique.
Size and age
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²) · national park since 2020
Area estimates differ: the park covers about 1 200 km² of marine and island territory, with roughly 900 km² sea and 300 km² land (check).
Why go
- Explore pristine coral reefs and sand dunes on a remote island chain.
- Spot dugongs, sea turtles and abundant reef fish while diving or snorkeling.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, higher humidity.
- FebRain continues; trails muddy.
- MarTransition month, occasional storms.
- AprDrying, warm.
- MayDry, pleasant temperatures.
- JunCooler, low rain.
- JulDry, ideal for water sport.
- AugDry, warm sea.
- SepDry, good visibility.
- OctDry, warm water.
- NovStart of short rains.
- DecRainy season begins.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dugong (marine mammal)May–Nov | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Sea turtlesJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Coastal seabirdsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Vilankulo
Take a motorboat or dhow from Vilankulo harbor to the park gate on Bazaruto Island (≈30 min).
0.5 h
From Maputo
Fly to Vilankulo (≈1 h) then boat transfer.
2–3 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Dune Trailhead | Access point for short walks along the sand dunes and coastal vegetation. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Coral Reef Zone | Snorkeling and diving sites around Bazaruto, Benguerra and Magaruque islands. | Guided tours required for protected reefs. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre of the archipelago; exact gate location approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person, adult) | MZN 1,500–2,000 | person | Covers basic trail access; check latest price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for reef snorkeling and any off‑trail island hikes.
- Camping
- Not allowed on the islands; stay in designated lodges or mainland Vilankulo.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided BBQs at lodges only.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Benguerra Lodge
Mid‑range lodge on Benguerra Island, 10 min boat from the park gate.
Near the park
Vilankulo town
Budget guesthouses and hostels; 30 min drive to boat launch.
Safety
Heat and sunburn medium
Strong currents medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Dune trail is flat and wheelchair‑friendly with a firm sand path.
- Reef snorkeling requires boat access; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Choose operators that follow the park’s marine‑protected‑area guidelines.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; bring reusable water bottle.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bazaruto Archipelago National Park?
Entry is about 1 500–2 000 MZN per adult (≈US$ 30–40); check the latest price at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Bazaruto Archipelago National Park?
The short dune walk on Bazaruto Island (2–3 h) and the guided coastal trail on Benguerra Island are the main land hikes.
When is the best time to visit Bazaruto Archipelago National Park?
Dry season May to November offers clear weather, good sea conditions and lower mosquito activity.
Do I need a guide for snorkeling?
Yes – reef areas are protected; guided trips are required.
Can I camp on the islands?
No – camping is prohibited; stay in licensed lodges or on the mainland.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bazaruto Archipelago National Park
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