Silversea Expedition Cruises À ISLAND OF MOZAMBIQUE

Discover why the Island of Mozambique has earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on this sightseeing tour. Mozambique is an island city located in the province of Nampula, in the northern reaches of Mozambique. In fact, the city was the country's first capital, and the country took its name from the city. Due to its rich history and interesting architectural heritage, the island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With your local guide, visit the São Paulo Palace & Museum, located in a former governor's residence from 1610 that was converted to a museum. This imposing building is home to artifacts that give a window onto upper class living at the height of the island's prominence in the 18th century.

Continue to the São Sebastião Fortress, which is the oldest standing fortress in sub-Saharan Africa located on the island's northern end of Stone Town. See the beautifully positioned Nossa Senhora de Baluarte Chapel on its island promontory. Watch also for the oldest mosque in Mozambique.

En route back to the pier, pass the Old Swahili Door - a local landmark- and learn about the history of Stone Town.

Sail on an elegant dhow, a traditional sailing vessel often found on the Indian Ocean. Board your ocean-faring transportation for the day and set out for a tour that keeps you close to shore in search of beautiful views.

From the comfort of the deck, weaving between dugout canoes and smaller fishing dhows, enjoy a terrific view of some of Ilha's more famous landmarks, including the Green Mosque, the fish markets, Macuti town, the Old Naval Base, and the fort, as well as grand waterfront homes and hotels.

Enjoy getting an up close and personal experience of life along the waterfront. Your crew expertly manage the ropes and enormous lateen sail, and it is a marvel to watch.

Return to the pier.

Long before the Portuguese arrived, Ilha was already famous as a centre for boat building. This tradition continues and hand crafted wooden dhows are everywhere.

Sail on the island's largest and most elegant traditional dhow. The crew are born to this life and the way they manage the ropes and enormous lateen sail is a marvel to watch. From the comfort of the deck, sailing close to shore and weaving between dugout canoes and smaller fishing dhows, enjoy a unique view of some of Ilha's more famous landmarks, including the Green Mosque, fish markets and village, Macuti Town, the Old Naval Base and Fortaleza as well as grand waterfront homes and hotels.

Please Note: This tour requires a minimal amount of walking. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility however guests must be able to manager the steps to board the boat on their own or with the assistance of their travelling partner. This tour is not suitable for guests who utilise a wheelchair as the dhow is not wheelchair accessible. We recommend guests wear light comfortable clothing, closed toed shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and a towel from the ship.

Island of Mozambique has played a larger-than-life role in East African coastal life over the centuries. Formerly the capital of Mozambique, the entire island is now proclaimed a World Heritage Site.

It is an intriguing anomaly - part ghost town and part lively fishing community. The island is a huge open-air museum. Every street, every house, every brick has its own, faded history. When strolling around the island one feels like being in a time-warp dating back for centuries.

This is the easiest and most comfortable way to see every part of the World Heritage listed Island - both Stone Town and Macuti Town. The bus has a driver, conductor and English-speaking UNESCO local guide so you will be well looked after. Two stops are scheduled, one at the Hindu Temple where you can go inside while they 'beat the drum' and the other at the Slave Memorial Garden where you can enjoy the shade and reflect on the human tragedy that unfolded here.

Your tour concludes back at the pier to re-join the ship.

Please Note: This tour requires a minimal amount of walking for approximately 100 metres (328 feet) with only a few steps to negotiate to board the coach. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and those who utilise a wheelchair. This tour operates fully on the coach. We recommend guests wear comfortable clothing.

Criss-cross from side to side; wind your way through the narrow alleys of Stone Town and negotiate the bustling streets of Makuti Town brimming with life. Expect to see Tufo dancing or the days catch being landed. The guides always know when there's something special going on, so no two trips are ever the same. Learn about the challenges of preserving this World Heritage site as you observe the careful restoration work going on around you

Please Note: This tour requires a moderate to extensive amount of activity for approximately 3 kilometres (1.86 miles) over paved and unpaved surfaces therefore it is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. We recommend guests wear light comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.

Criss-cross the island and wind your way through the narrow alleys of Stone Town. Meet your guide and discuss your route before getting safety gear on and beginning your bicycle tour of Stone Town, the deeply historic district of the history-laden Island of Mozambique.

Negotiate the bustling streets of Makuti, brimming with life and color. Discover the way that no two bicycle rides through Stone Town are ever the same because there's always something special going on.

Expect to see Tufo dancing, or the day's catch being landed, hard bargains being driven at the market, or children engaged in a loud and lively game. Your guide skillfully introduces you to a day in the life of the island. Learn also about the challenges of preserving the UNESCO World Heritage Site Island of Mozambique as you observe the careful restoration work going on around you.

Return your equipment and make your way back to the ship.

Island of Mozambique has played a larger-than-life role in East African coastal life over the centuries. Formerly the capital of Mozambique, the entire island is now proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is an intriguing anomaly - part ghost town and part lively fishing community. The island is a huge open-air museum. Every street, every house, every brick has its own, faded history. When strolling around the island one feels like being in a time-warp dating back for centuries.

Visit the Governor's Palace and Chapel of São Paulo, originally built in 1610 as a Jesuit College and subsequently became the Governor's Residence. It is now a museum filled with period furniture, armaments and artefacts.

Also tour the imposing Fortaleza of São Sebastião - the oldest complete fort in sub-Saharan Africa. Construction by the Portuguese began soon after their arrival in 1498, and it has withstood sieges and Blockades by Dutch and British invaders. Sitting out on a rocky outcrop from the Fortaleza is the recently restored Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, built in 1522. It is considered to be the oldest European building in the southern hemisphere. It is also one of the best examples of Manueline vaulted architecture in Mozambique.

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1.5 kms (0.93 miles) over unpaved ground. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. We recommend guests wear light comfortable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.