While many tourists flock to Kenya or Tanzania to enjoy their pristine beaches, like on Zanzibar Island, few realise that East Africa is home to many underrated countries with coastlines just as beautiful.

In fact, May is the perfect time to visit the area, before the temperatures soar. This country, found in southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean is dotted by renowned beaches, with a number of archipelagos offering the most perfect escapes from our hectic lives. Here, temperatures remain between 25C to 32C from April to December, and in May you can enjoy an average of 28C.

Mozambique sits between the likes of Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, across the Mozambique Channel from the island country of Madagascar. 

It’s largest city, and capital, is Maputo, home to just over one million people. A port city, its economy its centred on commerce, but is also known for its vibrant cultural scene and distinctive architecture.

Among its key landmarks are the Maputo Fortress, its central market that dates back to around 1900 the impressive Maputo Railway Station and the Tunduru Gardens, designed in 1855.

For those on the hunt for a peaceful island getaway, Mozambique is home to some incredible island holiday destinations, including the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, which, according to go2africa, are “divine” in May.

The website read: “The cyclone season is long over as is the scorching heat of mid-summer. And as cooler and calmer weather kicks in, conditions underwater improve leading to greater visibility – making them some of the best places to visit in May for divers and snorkellers.”

While Bazaruto is home to larger, more established resorts as well as smaller boutique getaways, Quirimbas offers a more exclusive, private-island experience. Both, however, are equally suitable for families or couples.

Bazaruto Island lies within a national park of the same name, off the southern coast of Mozambique. Resorts dot the island’s white beaches and has become well known for its marine life, including turtles and dugong.

Its sand dunes along its eastern coast are among the tallest in the world, ranging from older orange-red colours to more recent yellow-white dunes along the shoreline.

These island stays can also be easily combined with a safari in Southern of East Africa, a must when visiting the continent.

According to Skyscanner, to visit Mozambique from the UK, you can fly from Gatwick Airport with AirPortugal to Maputo International Airport, with a stop in Lisbon, for £706.

Brits should note, however, that the FCDO does advise against travel to parts of Mozambique, including some areas of Cabo Delgado province, due to attacks by groups with links to Islamist extremism. Significant unrest and protests also continue across Mozambique following national elections in October 2024, which can become violent and occur at short notice, with road toll gates particularly vulnerable.