Quirimbas National Park, National park in northern Mozambique
Quirimbas National Park is a protected zone in northern Mozambique covering about 750 square kilometers of land and marine areas with coral reefs, mangrove forests, and coastal landscapes. The 31 islands within the park show varied habitats ranging from dense forests and open beaches to shallow waters that support both land animals and sea creatures.
The territory was established as a national park in 1971, marking a turning point in Mozambique's coastal conservation efforts. Since then it has become a key refuge for threatened species and a center for protecting Indian Ocean marine ecosystems.
Local communities on the islands maintain customs shaped by Swahili traders, Arab influences, and Portuguese contact, visible in their daily crafts and their relationship with the surrounding waters and forests.
The park is best reached through Pemba city, where flights and boat services connect visitors to the different islands. The dry season from April to September offers calmer waters and easier access to all parts of the protected area.
The protected zone is home to a remarkable array of marine life, with more than 375 fish species, dugongs, and sea turtles inhabiting its waters. On land, elephants and leopards roam the remote island environment, creating a rare example of an integrated land and sea conservation area.
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