Ibo Dhow Safari

arguably the ultimate Indian Ocean experience

Ibo Island Dhow Safari is located in the Cabo Delgado area to the northeast of Mozambique.

This region experienced some very serious security issues from around 2020 onwards, which forced most of the remote lodges to close. This property has been able to stay open, thanks to it being located within a substantial settlement, which deters raiders. The ongoing situation is ensuring that this coastline remains frontier territory for tourism and all the cooler for it.

Ibo Dhow Safari is operated by English expats Kevin and Fiona Record, who have been pioneering tourism into this remote area since1993 and who continue to be hands-on, with a driving passion for the place and its people.

Safari notes

The dhow safari is operated out of their base at Ibo Island Lodge, where you have to stay for at least one night either side.

This is a private island hopping adventure led by a professional guide and accompanied by a local crew.

Using a 12m traditional sailing dhow with an engine, the safari explores this fabulous coastline, visiting a variety of tropical islands, some with interesting settlements, historic ruins and palm tree plantations, whilst others are completely uninhabited tropical paradises.

As well as sailing and cruising on the dhow, you also hav a small tender and kayaks to help you explore river estuaries and pristine mangrove forests, as well as go in search of intimate encounters with marine creatures, notably bottlenose dolphins.

Snorkelling is possible in a plethora of top quality locations. Diving may also be possible, by prior arrangement.

The details of each day are very much made up as you go along, to suit your interests, the prevailing conditions and wildlife movements. The manager at Ibo Island Lodge will take you through the whole thing before you head out and discuss the options.

Cabo Delgado is the coolest and most remote beach areas on the Indian Ocean coastline of Africa. For more intrepid travellers, it can work well in combination with safari in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Malawi.

The usual stay duration is 5-10 nights.

Seasonality

The Cabo Delgado area is at its best during the May-Nov dry season, but there are good reasons to visit during other months.

Getting there

Getting here costs both time and money, so you really need to appreciate the remoteness to make it worthwhile.

Access is usually by air from Johannesburg into the main airport at Pemba Town. It is also sometimes possible to arrive from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, to the north.

From Pemba Town it is a 20 minute helicopter ride to the island.

something of a mission to get to