Bazaruto Archipelago National Marine Park in Mozambique

This Bazaruto Archipelago National Marine Park in Mozambique was gazetted as a Mozambique Marine Park in May 1971 although borders of the park were extended in 2001 to cover more islands and parts off the Vilanculos coast- a total of 1430sq km.

The Bazaruto Archipelago National Marine Park includes portions of several islands, including Banque, Margaruque, Banguerra, Santa Carolina, and Bazaruto (the largest). Huge dunes, forests, grasslands, inland lakes, and wetlands are among the features of the islands, which have a lush tropical environment.

Wildlife

The Bazaruto Archipelago National Marine Park was established to safeguard the habitats of dugongs and marine turtles. The park safeguards the greatest dugong populations in the western Indian Ocean. The vegetation of the islands, coral reefs, marine birds, and park wildlife were also included because of their importance. There are also terrestrial gastropods, lizards, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, marlins, and barracuda in the park.

Travel Guide

On and along the shore of the Vilanculos and Inhassoro districts in the Inhambane province is where the park is located. You may reach Bazaruto National Park via road or air up to Vilanculos, and then you can get to the islands by boat or plane from there.

Three camps—Sitone, Zenguelrmo, and Chizungune—are located on the islands of Bazaruto and Benguerua, respectively, and there are also monitoring stations on the islands of Magaruque and Santa Carolina. A park support camp is also located in Vilanculos.