Pemba & Quirimbas Islands
Pemba is a port town located on the south side of the world's third-largest natural bay, with a population of around 100,000. It is the most important center in Northern Mozambique, with banks, patisseries, supermarkets and restaurants, though it retains a rundown feel with its potholed streets. The town was built over rolling hills, and most people live in wooden huts set amongst the numerous thick baobab trees.
The Quirimbas Islands are a national park. The island chain has up to 30 islands, stretching from Pemba in the south to the town of Palma in the north. They are one of the world’s best fishing and diving destinations, with phenomenal vertical drop-offs, some up to 400 meters. The southern islands include an expanse of forests in the Quirimbas National Park.
The tourism mandate for this area is for selected high quality, low impact resorts to work together with the communities to create benefits for all involved. The result of this ground breaking collaboration is a delightful eco-holiday destination with warm azure waters, untouched coral reefs, white sandy beaches, wildlife and historical significance. Here, visitors can enjoy heart-warming cultural interaction, find beautifully crafted and original silverware and explore ancient settlements and buildings. The mainland section of the park is only just being revealed to the world. On the mainland the park is home to 4 of the Big Five animals, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion and the reclusive Leopard, as well as Wild Dog, Hyena and many types of antelope. Bird species are many and varied.
The climate is tropical humid. Average annual temperature ranges from a minimum of 22°C to a maximum of 32°C. The hot rainy season usually runs from December to April. The rain is irregular, can be very heavy and accompanied by strong monsoon winds. The dry season is from May to November, with average temperature of 28°C in the day. The temperature of the seawater ranges from 25°C to 30°C.
