Bazaruto Archipelago
National Park

We are thrilled to have you on our paradise islands. Spanning 1,430 km² and encompassing five exquisite islands and a productive seascape,
this protected marine and terrestrial national park is co-managed by non-profit conservation organisation African Parks in collaboration
with Mozambique’s National Administration for the Conservation Areas (ANAC).

By being here, you are supporting our conservation, communities,
and the long-term future of this incredible ecosystem. Discover more below.

Park Overview

Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the most important marine sanctuaries along the East African coastline, with a range of critical habitats for many rare and endemic species. In addition to being in an ecologically rich tropical zone, its varied marine habitats contribute to an outstanding wealth of species, including ~500 marine and coastal mollusc species, ~500 fish species and ten marine mammal species, including whales, dolphins and the dugong. Migratory species move through the park’s productive marine environment, such as whale sharks, great white sharks, manta rays and killer, southern right and humpback whales.

The archipelago’s reefs are a valuable resource as they are an isolated node of reef development between the limited reefs in southern Mozambique and South Africa and the more extensive coral reefs north of Beira.

You are able to discover all these extraordinary habitats – on land and sea! Speak to your lodge manager or our park officials to learn more about the activities on offer.

What to do/see

Bazaruto offers a variety of tourist activities, especially centered around its stunning islands. Here's a list of popular activities to consider while visiting:

Dhow Safaris

Snorkeling and Diving

Fishing Charters

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Sunset Dhow Cruises

Local Market Visits

Cultural Tours

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Conservation & Community

Historically, the area has suffered from overuse of natural resources, illegal fishing, and unregulated tourism, harming biodiversity and local livelihoods. However, effective management by African Parks in the last five years has shown promising results. Collaborative efforts with communities, tourism operators, and government partners are paving the way for a more sustainable future. Key achievements include:

Elevating the status of dugongs from 'Vulnerable' to 'Critically Endangered', ensuring greater global protection.

Successful curbing of illegal activities in Bazaruto Park through enhanced patrols and collaboration with authorities, resulting in a halt to dugong deaths from fishing nets.

Significant improvement in livelihoods and socio-economic initiatives for thousands of people within five years, fostering a stronger commitment to conservation.

Provision of school supplies and uniforms to over 360 schoolchildren in 2022.

Implementation of a comprehensive code of conduct for wildlife viewing and water activities, alongside training for approximately 100 boat skippers on environmental best practices.

Rules & Regulations

We work hard to keep our marine habitats and wildlife safe and healthy. As such please read our rules and regulations, which are also intended for your safety. While the following rules apply throughout your stay, you will also find below links to rules and regulations of various activities for you to navigate at your convenience.

No unauthorised entry. Please ensure your park fees are paid before proceeding into the park. Park fees available at the park's offices and Tourism Inforation Points

Entrance into the marine park is entirely at your own risk.

40 knots maximum speed limit for all boats.

Boating is only permitted between sunrise and sunset. Night boating is prohibited.

Do not litter – remove all your litter from the park at the end of your stay.

Do not feed any wild animals.

Do not disturb, antagonise or harass any wildlife.

Do not remove any wildlife, shells, coral, rocks or any artefacts from the park.

Cutting or destroying natural vegetation within the park is an offence.

Do not use recorded sounds to attract animals or birds.

No loud noise, music or radios.

The use of drones and camera traps are prohibited.

No fishing allowed without a valid permit. Park Permits available at the park's office and Tourism Inforation Points

Firearms are prohibited and should be declared at the gate.

Futher codes of conduct (must see and read)

African Parks

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks manages 22 national parks and protected areas in 12 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Become Part
of our Conservation Story

African Park’s focus is on strengthening conservation law enforcement to mitigate threats and build support for the park through community engagement and development. Continued conservation monitoring and research, infrastructural development and skills-based training to uplift the community and enhance the sustainability of the park. Help us maintain and strengthen this vital work in Bazaruto by donating to African Parks today.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like to collaborate on a conservation project, please don't hesitate free to contact the Park Management team at: Bazaruto@africanparks.org

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Bazaruto Archipelago National Park