Travel: Desert Island Safari. Quirimbas National Park, Mozambique (part 2)

This follows http://travelhappinesslife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/travel-quirimbas-national-park.html

After a couple of days at the lovely Ibo Island Lodge it was time to embark on our 'dhow safari'. A dhow is a traditional wooden sailing boat and we had our own plus a crew of two and Harris - our tour guide. 

The plan was to sail from Ibo to Materno and then to Magundula (uninhabited) via an island not shown in the map, Quirimise. 

Day 1

We set off from Ibo to Materno Island and on the way stopped at a sandbank for lunch. It was quite surreal to be on an inland of sand in the Indian Ocean. We also had our first snorkel. 

We arrived at our camp at Materno Island just in time for sunset and after a shower it was bonfire time and then dinner produced by the wonderful chefs.Being someone not keen on camping, the tents were great. You could stand up in them and beds were provided too. I must admit I probably had some of my best night's sleeps of recent years whilst camping.

Day 2

Sunrise is at 5.15 am in Mozambique and after coffees we headed out for a snorkel on a coral reef at 6.00am. Despite having an underwater camera, it was really difficult to get decent shots of the fish and coral. You'll have to do with some humans...and a star fish. 

Harris our guide jumping in

After snorkelling on the reef and breakfast back on Materno it was time to pack up and sail to our next island, Quirimise. On Quirimise we had a tour of the local village and met some locals. Unsurprisingly our visit attracted the attention of the children who followed us around whilst trying to hold our hands.

Day 3

It was a bit overcast as we sailed to our very own uninhabited desert island, owned by the Ibo Island Lodge. On the way we caught site of some dolphins and then went snorkelling. Mogundula was amazing. As the tide retreated a beach was born.

Day 4

We were up early for more snorkelling before breakfast and it was the best reef we'd snorkelled on. Trulu amazing colours and fish. As we pulled back into Mogundula there were many men on the beach fishing. 

With permission from Laura Cook Photography

Finally we were able to get the sails up on the dhow and we sailed back to Materno for our last night. We hadn't seen it with the tide in so it was great to spend some time in the beautiful turquoise sea.

And apart from the enormous seafood banquet that was laid on on the final night, and our boast journey back to Ibo Island, the dhow safari was finished. 

A very special trip.