Overview

Located in Mozambique, Vilanculos or Vilankulo is a seaside town. Gamela Vilankulo Mukoke, a local tribal chief, inspired the town's name. It is a popular destination for tourists because of its proximity to its swaying palms and crystal-clear water beaches. Over the past decade, Vilanculos's population has grown significantly, and the city's tourism infrastructure has received substantial inward investment.
Vilankulo is the entryway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique's most popular tourist attraction. To get to the archipelago, you first need to get to Vilankulo. Dhows and helicopters connect the Bazaruto Archipelago and the town
The town's whole length is barely about five kilometers. Vilanculos's small airport sees a lot of activity, with domestic and international planes taking off and landing daily. Several significant locations, including Johannesburg and Maputo, are served daily by an international airport.

Vilanculos is one of the best places in Mozambique to practice water sports. Pristine reef beaches, scuba diving, fishing, spearfishing, snorkeling, and saltwater fly fishing are just some of the activities available in this region.
A wide range of lodging options can be found in the vicinity, from budget to five-star luxury barefoot luxury. Vilankulo has experienced rapid expansion over the last decade, thanks to significant inbound investment in the city's tourism infrastructure.
Vilanculos' markets abound with locally grown produce, while the cultural center's gift shop offers many handmade products. There are several restaurants in the town and on the beach where you can get your hands on some of the best Mozambique prawns and beers.
Mozambique's Vilanculos is a well-known tourist attraction. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a hotel, lodge, or self-catering vacation home in Vilanculos; plenty of options are available.

Things to Do & See in Vilanculos

Visit Bazaruto Archipelago National Park

Bazaruto Archipelago, located between Vilanculos and Inhassoro, is a refuge for dugongs, turtles, and birds. There are five dune islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. These islands were designated a National Park in 1971.
Bazaruto Archipelago is noted for its natural beauty and different ecosystems. More than 2,000 species of fish, including whales and dolphins, can be found in the virgin coral reefs.
It boasts endless white-sand beaches, palm trees waving in the breeze, and turquoise water for swimming. It is renowned for its world-class scuba and snorkeling. At dive schools, newcomers can learn the basics of scuba diving, whereas more experienced divers descend to depths.
If you are a kitesurfer, it's a place for you. Waist-deep water and constant breezes make this a kitesurfing heaven.
Mozambique tourists who need to get off from everything will find Bazaruto the perfect place to relax, sip cocktails, enjoy the beautiful sunset, have wonderful seafood beach dinners, or sail on a dhow for a picnic. With a stunning coastline, numerous pubs, restaurants, local markets, and a daily flight airport just outside the city, this place has it all.

Visit Machilla Magic, a Shopping Site

Machilla Magic was founded in 2000 in the tiny fishing village of Macunhe, 25 kilometers north of Vilanculos, a lively town in the Bazaruto Archipelago World Heritage Site. It is a Mozambican, community-based arts and crafts project. It is a Fair Trade Tourism Certified community effort that works with more than 60 artisans and their families to bring a wide variety of handicrafts that reflect the rhythm and soul of coastal Mozambique's culture.
Mancilla Magic was born due to the company's contributions to tools, raw materials, creative concepts, and marketing assistance. Since its inception, Machilla Magic has grown into a full-fledged handicrafts company that serves tourists, regional lodges, commercial shops, and the general public.
There is an abundance of recycled, reused, and locally obtained materials employed. Ninety-five percent of arts and crafts are manufactured from repurposed materials, giving a wide variety. These include barrel stools, coffee tables, Pilau lamps, barrels, palm, and weaved furniture.

Visit Manykeni, A historic Site

Located 52 kilometers west of Vilanculos, Manyikeni means a place where people deal, is a Mozambican archaeological site. It is easy to get to Manyikeni from Vilanculos. The historical era represented by the area ranges from the 12th to the 17th centuries. It is a second-millennium AD regional center of Zimbabwean culture. It was an important trading post that grew into a bustling city throughout time.
Archaeologists believe the discovery is linked to Zimbabwe, widely known for its Great Zimbabwe ruins. This site has an enormous stone enclosure that resembles Great Zimbabwe. It was constructed without mortar by stacking hundreds of native limestone blocks.
The abundance of seashells provides evidence of coastal contact. Chibuene, a coast shell midden roughly 50 kilometers from Manyikeni, may have been the point of interaction.
The presence of grass seeds found in Zimbabwe shows that grass seeds were introduced to improve the quality of animal feed. Cattle bones have indeed been unearthed in the center of Manyikeni, suggesting that town residents ate meat.

Govuro River Canoe Excursion

The Govuro River canoe excursion is undoubtedly one of the top activities in Vilankulo, offering a unique blend of unspoiled riverine and magnificent birdlife in a safe and comfortable environment. Among the many species of birds that can be found here are the Black Chris, Purple Gallinule, African Darter, and a variety of warblers and kingfishers and eagles and hordes of kingfishers.
You'll paddle through the Guvuro River Wetland in a pair of lightweight Canadian canoes. You'll have access to food, drink, water, and life jackets on the excursion.
As the sun sets, the wetlands awaken, the sky is illuminated by fireflies, bringing a sense of peace and harmony as you relax with a drink in hand.

Watch the Sunset over the Red Dunes While Riding in a Dhow Boat

Taking a conventional dhow boat to the sands takes around 45 minutes from the coast of Vilanculos. Seeing the entire coast of Vilanculos from the boat is a treat, and it's impossible not to get enthusiastic as you reach the enormous red dunes.

There is a lot to see and do when you arrive. A lush green forest and a beach on each side of you will greet you as soon as you get there. As the sun sets over the rainforest, you'll be treated to a stunning red-and-green contrast that you wouldn't usually see from the shore of Mozambique. The setting sun is a sight to behold!