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Book Flights to Vilanculos

Looking to spend time on the beaches of Vilanculos (aka Vilankulo) and the even more idyllic beaches of nearby Magaruque Island? There are direct Airlink flights to Vilanculos from Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport and from Nelspruit's Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Remember to compare airline prices before booking.

South Africa to Vilanculos flight routes

Johannesburg - Vilanculos (VNX)	Airlink, LAM Mozambique airline
Nelspruit - Vilanculos (VNX)	Airlink (via Johannesburg)

Vilanculos - Johannesburg (JNB)	Airlink, LAM Mozambique airline

Mozambique to Vilanculos

Inhambane - Vilanculos (VNX)	LAM Mozambique airline
Maputo - Vilanculos (VNX)	LAM Mozambique airline

Map centred on Vilanculos

Vilanculos lodges There are a number of fantastic lodges in Vilanculos, including Villas Do Indico (lodge will organise transport in 4x4 from Vilanculos International Airport, the 10 villa suites have views of the Bazaruto Islands, spa, swimming pool, drinks from the bar can be served on the beach, trips in a dhow can be organised) and Dugong Beach Lodge (private plunge pools in each chalet, views of the ocean from a pool bar, internet facilities, private dining on the beach can be arranged, waterskiing, windsurfing, diving and kayaking).

Vilanculos

by Victor Bunjira (victor@southafrica.to)

Imagine white sandy beaches lush green and unspoilt tropical forests and nothing but the sound of birds singing in the back ground, this is no utopia or some imaginary place from wonderland, rather welcome to the trappings of Vilanculos – one of Mozambique’s holiday secrets.

Even if you were to spell it as Vilankulo you would not be marked as wrong as you would be referring to the same place – Vilankulo being the name of Chief Gamala Vilankulo Mukoke after whom the place was named after.

This little gem of a town is located in Mozambique’s Inhambane Province, and is home to about 24 000 inhabitants and is replete with tourist amenities such as bars, restaurants, lodges, markets not forgetting of course the beaches and forests.

It also serves as the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. Activities one can engage in include horse riding, bird watching, whale watching, fishing, diving & snorkelling, surfing, game watching and hunting. Vilanculos just about has an activity to suite everybody’s needs .

Because Vilanculos has its own airport, you can fly directly from South Africa’s OR Tambo or Kruger Airports courtesy of either Linhas Aereas Mozambique (LAM) which is Mozambique’s national carrier or Federal Air (formerly Pelican Air Services). Alternatively you can choose to fly to Maputo – Mozambiques national capital and catch a connecting flight with any of the other local airlines.

The roads to Vilanculos are supposedly drivable by an ordinary car, but we would recommend hiring a 4x4. Fuel is available at service stations along the way, though travel advisors encourage you to carry your own fuel and to never drive at night.
Being in the coastal regions, Vilanculos has two general seasons – winter (April – September) and summer (October – March). Minimum temperatures in winter average 14 degrees, which is fairly warm, but a precautionary jacket being necessary just in case. The hot summers are also accompanied by tropical rains and occasional storms cannot be discounted.
Being on the door-step to the Bazaruto Archipelago regular shuttle services to these islands and their trappings, courtesy of CFA Air Charters, from Vilanculos are available as an inclusive package together with the island lodge to which you are going to. The Bazaruto Archipelago consists of: Bazaruto (the name sake), Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue Islands.

Activities on the Archipelago include boat charters & sunset cruises, diving, fishing and wildlife safaris.

Vilanculos Airport

In June 2011 Vilanculos Airport was relaunched after construction increasing its capacity to 200,000 passengers annually, and size to 7,200 square metres. Emergency generators were placed in around the airport, and seperate facilities were built for the fire brigade. Federal Air has opened its new offices at Vilanculos Airport, and the Managing Director of Fedair, says Troy Reiser, said: “Our exciting new premises have been created to meet the growing demand in tourism in Vilanculos and particularly in the Inhambane Province. I anticipate that the revamped Vilanculos Airport will provide the spring board for an increase in international tourism. Our new premises position us in such a way that we are poised to meet the demands of a changing tourism industry with a product offering that is world-class. Our staff compliment has also been increased in order to provide our customers with a seamless service. Other offerings at Federal Air include ticket sales and enquiries, baggage enquiries, passenger and general services, as well as a ‘meet’ and ‘greet’ service."

Armando Guebuza, Mozambique's President said: "This is not the only airport in Mozambique that we have a chance to improve and reform. It will be the first of many. This will improve tourism. In order to realise our efforts, the challenge will be to increase and sustain the development of more hotels and luxury resorts. More accommodation is needed for the growing numbers of tourists, wishing to stay with us here in Vilanculos. We hope that the new airport will attract more developmental activity."

Cruise to Bazaruto

There are cruises from Durban to Bazaruto and Inhambane on MSC Starlight's Opera and MSC Sinfonia cruise ships.