Mozambique's pristine beaches, first-class diving opportunities and excellent fishing locations are fast cementing its growing reputation as one of Africa's jewels. Explore the bustling Portuguese colonial cities of Maputo and Beira, or the coral island of Ilha do Mocambique, which holds the oldest European settlement in East Africa. Mozambique: The Bradt Travel Guide should whet the appetites of all adventurous travelers. Relax in the relative comfort of the south or discover the remote regions of the north. This guide includes 39 maps and town plans, thoroughly updated to incorporate recent changes; information on traveling in the north; beaches, resorts and watersports; detailed coverage of the city of Maputo; Xai-Xai - the best place to view the total eclipse of December 2002; a language section, featuring Mozambican Portuguese. (5 1/4 x 8 1/2, 272 pages, color photos, maps, illustrations, charts)

Philip Briggs is the author of six other top-selling Bradt guides to Africa: East & Southern Africa: The Backpacker’s Manual, and individual country guides to Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda. He is also co-author of Bradt’s Africa & Madagascar--Total Eclipse 2001 & 2002 and Rwanda. A regular contributor to travel magazines such as Wanderlust and Travel Africa, he leads tours while researching and lives in South Africa between travels.

Ross Velton is author of Bradt’s Haiti & the Dominican Republic and Mali. He has travelled extensively in Africa and has hitchhiked across the Sahara.

Personally, much as I love roughing it through the tropics, the ease of being in an ordered and safe place was welcome and comforting. Wilderness with washbasins, and wasabi...and wine.