These dhow safaris and dhow + sea kayak safaris are true tropical island wilderness adventures, set in the Quirimbas National Park - an archipelago of coral islands spread like jewels off the north Mozambique coast. Very few people visit, or even know about it this area - but that's typical of a country which for years has been shut off from outside consideration due to civil war. But now in peace, the Quirimbas Islands rank amongst the very best of Mozambique's natural assets and perhaps the most idyllic islands in East Africa.

You will explore the Quirimbas Archipelago by whilst staying on deserted tropical islands in temporary eco-tented camps amongst palm trees and coconut crabs. You will also stay in a stylish hotel on Mozambique's mini-Zanzibar: the Ibo Island UNESCO World Heritage Site. This little known island is where you can find some enchanting colonial architecture in varying states of repair.

The islands themselves offer some simply stunning white sand beaches and calm shallow sandy waters set in an Indian Ocean wilderness. Beneath the water you can snorkel amongst some of the most colourful reefs in eastern and southern Africa. Above the water, some of the islands also have mangroves areas whose shallow waters are ideal for exploration by sea kayak. Ulumbwa Island is one of the best islands to find good mangrove areas and one of the best places to see the islands' diverse birdlife which includes several species of egret and stork, fish eagles, mangrove kingfishers, plovers and Madagascan pratincoles.

It would be easy to feel lost in a tropical ocean, but the sailing dhow which will carry your home for about half of this experience, will help you to remember that you in a part of the world whose exotic past carries tastes of Africa, the Middle East and Portugal. Ibo Island injects an even stronger flavour of this. Whilst many of the Quirimbas islands are remote and uninhabited, Ibo Island is a fascinating cultural and architectural centre. The star-shaped fort is restored, but most of the island's historic buildings come with faded paint and cracks where wild plants have started to establish a home. The bay by the fort provides harbour to dozens of local dhows. Faces about town bear welcoming smiles and many of the local ladies cover their faces with white Muciro (a cream extracted from the Kipalo plant) to protect them from the sun.

Whilst this is very much an adventure experience, it is no hardship posting. Whilst camping, you will still be able to enjoy some excellent fresh seafood and a cold beer or gin and tonic. You can even take a private 'safari shower' set up on the sand. On Ibo Island, you will be staying at a comfortable hotel where you can sip cocktail beside a swimming pool.

Dhow safaris can come with kayaks if you wish. You can use them as much or as little as you wish.

Kayaking safaris come with a dhow as a support vessel for which the sea kayaking is not technical, but you do need to be aware that the distances involved can be 20 kilometres or more in a day. It is difficult to transport the kayaks if they are not paddled, so unless necessary, you need to expect to have to do the kayaking. Kayaking is conducting in buoyant sit in canoes which do not require a spray deck. In the unlikely event that you fall out you will be able to get out of the canoe very easily.

Both types of safari are available on fixed dates throughout the year, or tailor made at any time a dhow, guides and kayaks are available. We will also operate a small group departure 2^nd to 8^th Dec 2012 to tie into one of our Mozambique Manta Ray Research & Conservation experiences. This will be accompanied by Aqua-Firma Marine Scientist, Charlotte Caffrey.