Mozambique

Bordered by the warm Indian ocean on the east coast, Mozambique has a tropical climate with a wet season from October to March and a dry season from April to September. Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal in 1975, but remnants of its colonial past are still evident in the architecture of Maputo, the capital city. Portuguese is the country’s official language, but English is fluently spoken at most of the resorts.

Heading north from Mapto, along the coast, one finds the sleepy historic town of Inhambane, offering excellent opportunities for diving with the manta rays and whale sharks. The Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelago islands, which are now both national parks, present visitors with the ultimate tropical paradise.