Mozambique Custom Guided Tours

One of southern Africa’s least visited destinations, Mozambique has a little bit of everything to offer. With miles of beautiful coastline, a fascinating cultural scene, and diverse wildlife, Mozambique is definitely underrated and underappreciated, but worth a visit. The country is very large, too, so there’s no limit to what you can see and do while here.

But because of its size, we recommend either visiting the south or the north, to really get the most out of your trip. The north is home to dense bush and striking cliffs, while the coast hosts idyllic islands that are perfect for taking pictures and walking along the beach.

North Mozambique

Mozambique’s coast is an absolute gem, and a must-see in the northern part of the country. But if you head inland, there are a few spots worth mentioning. First on the list is Gorongosa National Park, a preserved area of central Mozambique. With its forests and savannahs, Gorongosa is home to hippos, lions, and elephants, and the surrounding rivers and Lake Urema attract dozens of various water birds.

Head back to the coast for the Quirimbas archipelago, where you’ll definitely want to rise early to see the sun rise. Ibo, the heart of the archipelago, is an especially enchanting place. With crumbling, moss-choked buildings and sleepy old villas, Ibo is where you can see silver artisans at work, or explore the mangrove forests that surround it.

South Mozambique

For many travelers, the first stop is Maputo, Mozambique surprisingly pleasant and striking capital city. Here, Portuguese-style cafes are common, and the commercial area is dotted with unique local shops, markets, and restaurants. Gorgeous villas overlook Maputo close by, and the city’s elegant (but now dilapidated) 20th century train station is an architectural marvel. Don’t worry, you don’t have to board a train here, but we highly recommend a visit to the station to experience its dated but stunning design. Nearby is an imposing fortress, known locally as the Fortaleza, that harks back to the Portuguese colonial era.

Next up on your itinerary should be the National Museum of Art, home to a unique collection of contemporary Mozambican work. The National Museum of Art is the top choice of museum for locals and tourists alike, and the paintings and sculptures on display provide a glimpse into the culture of the Mozambican people.

Maputo’s nightlife is another wonder you won’t want to miss. With music fusions reflecting the country’s Latin and African influences, a night in the city is sure to raise your spirits and energize you for the rest of your journey throughout Mozambique.

After Maputo, take a short flight to Bazaruto archipelago, just up the coast. This marine park is perfect for nature-watching and relaxation, and the waters are breathtakingly blue.

Custom tours and travel packages are available from Maputo to the islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, and Pemba city.

Please call us to create an itinerary to suit your specifications.

Travel Namibia

Namibia’s well-maintained roads and diverse scenery make it an ideal spot for a driving tour, but we also recommend taking your time at each destination to really take in the wilderness and unique richness of this country.

The Skeleton Coast Park

One of the planet’s most inhospitable, but hauntingly beautiful places – Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is wild, desolate and uninhabited. The landscape includes sand dunes, canyons, and mountain ranges.

The Skeleton Coast is is normally associated with famous shipwrecks, and because of the bones that lined the beaches from whaling operations and seal hunts, but more than a few of the skeletons were human. The Bushmen called it The Land God Made in Anger. Ever since European navigators first discovered it, ships have wrecked on its numerous offshore rocks, or run aground in the blinding fog. As a result, the coast has scores of shipwrecks, some of which are barely recognizable, while others are still in remarkably good condition. The wrecks provide excellent environments for Cape fur seals, living side by side with seabird colonies and offering unequaled maritime photographic opportunities.

Kayaking with Seals

Near Swakopmund, you can kayak amongst hundreds of seals at the Pelican Point seal colony, experiencing these fascinating animals up close and observing them in their natural habitat.

Twyfelfontein Rock Art

The rock art here was carved by hunter-gatherers thousands of years ago, and displays one of the largest collections of rock petroglyphs in Africa. It was approved as Namibia’s first World Heritage Site in 2007.

Go On Safari

If Namibia’s wildlife is what you most want to see, safaris are offered in Etosha National Park, where you can watch lion, zebra and elephant drinking at waterholes. Guides are provided for all safaris, and allow you to learn firsthand how diverse the fauna of Namibia really are.

Sand Dunes at Sossusvlei

Namibia is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, and as a result is home to miles and miles of desert and sand. The sand dunes are especially impressive. The massive red-orange sand dunes at Sossusvlei are the largest in the world and to climb one just before dawn is a stunning spectacle.

Himba tribe

The Himba tribe in Damaraland is fascinating and beautiful to behold in their yellow ochre stained bodies. They are considered the last semi-nomadic people in Namibia, with an estimated population of 50,000 in northern Namibia.

High Himalayan Triplet: Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan

The mountain ranges of the High Himalayas are immense rivers of turquoise blue and are sure to inspire and exhilarate. We offer general tourism, pilgrimages, trekking, fishing, kayaking, and bicycling, all with an expert guide in the field.

Nepal & Tibet

For less humidity, head for Mount Everest/Nepal in the springtime, a logical place from which to begin the triad. After that, a flight over Mt. Everest and the Himalayas in a fixed wing aircraft to the “Top of the World” is mandatory, and a light-to-moderate trek to the Mt. Everest base camps are extraordinary at sunrise.

After touring the Kathmandu Valley and the Medieval towns, process your visa for Tibet and Bhutan in Kathmandu and travel into Tibet over land or by plane, where Earth seems to touch heaven.

Bhutan: Kingdom of Happiness

Continue on to Bhutan, a Kingdom that only opened to tourists 3 decades ago. Even today only 17,000 visitors per year are invited as tourists. Fees are regulated by the government at a minimum of 200 USD per day, inclusive of accommodation, tour, and food.

Bhutan appears to be centuries behind the outside world because of its isolation, recent opening to tourism, and the absolute benevolent monarchy, but is surprisingly progressive. Buddhism is the foundation of spiritual life here and Bhutan is believed to be the last Shangri La on Earth.

Bhutan Travel Package

Costs

The government of Bhutan sets costs for a complete Bhutanese accommodation package. There are no hidden fees and it is all-inclusive with the exception of airfare.

With this basic accommodation package you can upgrade to luxury and exclusive properties.

35% of the tour costs are deducted by the government to help provide free health and education, and the remaining is disbursed to the tour operator in local currency to manage all the tour logistics. The cost is higher if you have fewer than three members.

The program cost for 2011, is USD $200 per person per night for groups of three travelers or more. For solo travelers, there is a $40 surcharge per night and for groups of two members, there is a $30 surcharge per night (240 for solo).

Since 2012, the government has increased the daily rate for basic tours and it is $50 extra per person per night (290 for solo).

Included in the package:

• All Accommodation in standard hotels (government approved & monitored) on twin/double sharing basis.
• Transfers by Hyundai/Toyota SUV and sightseeing within Bhutan.
• Visa fee & processing.
• Pack animals, porters, cook, trek guide.
• Accompanying English speaking tour leader/guide.
• All meals. Water is complimentary in the car. Empty bottles are recycled.
• 35% government welfare levy.
• Government tourism development fee.
• Museum fees and temple & monument permits.

Not included in the package:

• Airfare
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, shopping, etc.)
• Beverages
• Tips, gratuities for staff (optional).

Hotel upgrade exclusive property option

We also arrange accommodations at upscale properties like Aman Resorts.

Amankora offers 5 Lodges for a journey through up to five different valleys:

• Amankora Paro
• Amankora Punakha
• Amankora Gangtey
• Amankora Thimphu
• Amankora Bumthang

Luxury properties include:

• Uma Paro
• Hotel Zhiwaling in Paro
• Namgay Heritage Hotel in Thimphu
• Taj Tashi in Thimphu

Call us for pricing of exclusive and luxury properties.

Visa requirement & procedure

Visa-only service is not offered in Bhutan or on arrival.

Goldenfish can arrange for your visa. Upon application, a government permit is sent to us to give to you to board the plane upon entering Bhutan.

This must be done four weeks prior to departure and is easily done via our agency.