If you've been dreaming of escaping to paradise, then visions of a tropical beach, lapped by crystal-clear blue seas and fringed by gently swaying palm trees are going to be extremely tempting. Here at Best African Safaris we like to make dreams come true, and in this case getting away from it all on a heavenly coastline is just a phone call or email away, thanks to our wonderful neighbour - Mozambique.

When it comes to finding a spot in the Mozambican sun in which to stretch out, unwind and take in the magic of this incredible destination, it doesn't get much better than vibrant Vilanculos, situated on the coast in Inhambane province. With its own international airport but just as easy to drive to for South Africans looking for a beach holiday par excellence, Vilanculos is packed with fantastic beach lodges, boutique hotels, guest houses and self-catering villas.

Vilanculos is the gateway to the fabled Bazaruto Archipelago and its sun-kissed islands set like gems in the warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, but it's also a fantastic destination in its own right, with a collection of vibrant restaurants and bars and its authentic, traditional fishing village vibe. 

This is seafood heaven, with an endless supply of fabulous ocean-to-table options at your fingertips, from superlative prawns and crabs to fantastic freshly caught fish and calamari, all of which beg to be sampled with the traditional peri-peri sauce, freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh chillis! Try a Portuguese crab curry with saffron rice or dig into a mountain of king prawns. 

Mozambique's Portuguese influences are still strong in spite of it having been independent from its former colonial master since 1975. Portuguese is still its official language although Swahili is widely spoken and you'll find a lot of Portuguese flavours in traditional Mozambican dishes and drinks like caipirinhas. 

Base yourself in Vilanculos itself, or out on Bazaruto or Benguerra, with their luxury beach resorts and lodges. There are six islands in the archipelago, with Bazaruto the largest, followed by Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island), Banque and Pansy Shell Island.

It's easy to island hop and the snorkelling and diving off the islands is superb, especially around Bazaruto and Benguerra. A wealth of dive operators and boat charter companies make exploring the archipelago - which is a protected marine national reserve and one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered dugong - an absolute pleasure. Some hotels and resorts have their own boats for snorkelling and diving trips, as well as water skiing and fishing.

Talk to us today about putting together a holiday in Vilanculos for you. You won't be disappointed!