Travel has certainly become a lot more complicated! No more just booking a flight or getting in your car and driving across the Mozambique border. Now you need to check which destinations will allow South Africans (or whatever your nationality may be). Then you probably need to get a Covid test done, to ensure you do not carry this virus across the border. The timing is also crucial! Many a tourist has been denied boarding a flight because their test was too old or too new! (who would have thought too new could be a problem?)
Entry to Mozambique.
All visitors 11 years of age or older are required to present a COVID PCR test done within the last 72 hours, in order to enter in Mozambique. Airlines may require additional documents to allow passengers on board. Make sure you have everything you require!
Airlink offers direct flights from Johannesburg into Vilanculos 3 times a week currently and this will increase to daily flights from April 2021. So no stopovers to stress you out about changing planes or having to stand in queues with hundreds of other people in a busy airport. Mozambique Islands has specially reduced IT fares into Vilanculos to guarantee best rates for your trip.
Covid Testing in Mozambique
Depending on where you are going on departure from Mozambique, you may require a Covid test. For retuning to South Africa, guests are required to get a COVID test 72 hours prior to departure. Maputo has a laboratory where testing is done and apparently there are Rapid tests available at the land border posts. We were pleased to hear of the opening of the SARS-Cov-2 RT-PCR Laboratory in Vilanculos on the 5th of March, 2021. The AMS Netcare Clinic has committed on a test result reception within 24 to 48 hours. This will have a huge impact on tourism to Vilanculos and the surrounding areas!
Where to stay in Vilanculos?
Sadly many resorts had to close, at least temporarily until things improve. Casa Rex with its charming individually styled rooms is looking at opening in August 2021. Some other resorts have also had to close for the foreseeable future.
The islands have always been a drawcard for those that want luxury and privacy, and now are ideal for social distancing and safety! Azura Benguerra have a resident nurse to administer Covid tests on guests who require this before flying back home. This has been incredibly successful! And now, from early April, guests staying at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort will be able to have their tests done on the Island at the hotel Clinic.
This makes the islands a very appealing option! No queueing or worrying about how and when your test will be done. And not to worry about the beach ban in place elsewhere in Mozambique. The islands have secluded private beaches and have permission to allow guests to use the beaches normally.
Mozambique Islands has excellent rates at this time for both of these beautiful island resorts. Rates at Azura Benguerra Retreat start at R 4 000.00 per person sharing on an All-inclusive basis! Including a host / butler to take care of your every need. Accommodation in gorgeous luxury Villas – each with it’s own private plunge pool!
Azura Benguerra beach 
Beach villa deck
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa will now offer Covid testing on site. They have also built private plunge pools at 8 of their luxurious Beach Villas. Mozambique Islands can offer rates from USD 260.00 per person sharing on an All-inclusive basis. All meals, local beers, house wines, spirits, soft drinks, water and teas / coffees are included! As well as free boat transfers from the mainland, and a complimentary dhow cruise and 60 minute spa treatment per adult during your stay. Phew! Who could ask for more.
Anantara Bazaruto pool and bar 
Horse riding 
Anantara Bazaruto beach 
Sea view pool villa 
Island drive
Mainland Vilanculos
There are some beautiful places to stay in Vilanculos on the mainland as well.
BAHIA MAR overlooking the Bazaruto Islands is a unique Boutique Hotel offering a choice of either a spacious, fully serviced en-suite room, an optimally equipped self-catering pied à terre, or combinations of both, and provides a perfect base from which to explore the beauty of Vilanculos and the islands. Aware of the impact that being confined to a place or area over an extended period can have, Bahia Mar is offering fully equipped, self catering beach suites for extended, affordable stays. Contact us for more details.
Here guests who need a change of scenery can enjoy all the facilites of a first rate hotel, whilst also being self sufficient if they wish. The spacious suites have great views, a private pool, a kitchen, lounge and an outside gas BBQ with patio seating.
Bahia Mar pool 
bahia mar sea view bedrooms 
bahia mar views 
sea view bedroom 
bahia mar
So, if you have been delaying your wedding, delaying your honeymoon or holiday plans (and haven’t we all!) – even delaying celebrating special occasions, perhaps you need to delay no longer.
Contact Mozambique GSA, t/a Mozambique Islands now to book your long awaited holiday break. Leave all the details to the professionals! We have guaranteed best rates for all the top resorts in Mozambique. Drop us a What’s App if you like, or call on 083 299 4321, or 066 206 8968. Or send an e-mail to : info@mozambiqueislands.com and let us know how we can make your dream holiday or honeymoon a stress-free, Covid-free experience!