By Own Transport

Ibo Island via Bilibiza (Passing through the points A, E, D, B, C, H). This road is in better condition than Metuge's road (Passing through the points A, E, G, B, C, H). From Nampula go in direction of Pemba, Mueda Mocimboa da Praia. When reaching the junction Silva Macua, (Point E on the Map), which is about 80Km away from Pemba. Turn to the left in the direction of “Mocimboa da Praia” / Mueda. Continue until reaching the village named 29 de Outubro (Point D on the Map), where you will see a large sign with a red background and white letters written “ADPP”. There turn right on the dirt road towards Bilibiza. Once in Bilibiza continue on the same road, you will reach the village of Mahate (Point B on the) after 30Km. There you will find another “T” junction: Turn the to left in direction of Quissanga (Point C on the Map).
Once in Quissanga still at the top of the hill find a road sign indicating Tandanhangue on the left. follow the road until you get to the bottom of the bay.

Pemba (Point F on the Map), The road from Nampula to Pemba is tarred but with potholes covered. You can cover the distance in 5 hours (400Km).

By Public Transport

From Nampula you could go to Mozambique Island, Pemba (Point F on the Map) or straigth to Ibo Island (Point H on the Map). This later requires adventurous minds as you might have to sleep along the way if things do not go according to plan. The safest route is going trough Pemba first.

Going to Pemba requires taking a bus very early in the morning with the regional bus company 'Mecula'. The buses leave early in the morning so be sure to be there at 4am to purchase your bus ticket (ideally you should purchase it the day before departure). Note that having a bus ticked does not guaranty you a seat. You may have to stand if you are not at the bus station early enough to get your place. Once you decide to leave from Pemba, you may take every day at 4:30 in the morning, in front of the central store Mcel (Mozambican mobile phone company) near the hotel Cabo Delgado, public transport (truck or Minivan) going to Quissanga / Tandanhangue. Once in Tandanhangue, you will need to take a dhow (local boat) to reach Ibo Island. In theory the boat waits for the truck from Pemba before pursuing towards Ibo. The journey departing from Pemba to Ibo lasts six to twelve hours (extreme case), depending on the number of stops and the road condition. Although very hard, it can be quite rewarding for those who would like to experience the local means of transport to better understand how the local population lives.

Going straight to Ibo Island is possible but requires a great dose of adventure as you will need to take a bus very early in the morning with the regional bus company 'Mecula'. The buses departs with the sun rise, so be sure to be there at 4am to purchase your bus ticket (should ideally be purchased on day prior to departure). Note that holding a valid bus ticked does not necessarily gain you a seat. You may have to travel standing if you are not at the bus early enough to get your seat.You can take either the bus to 'Mueda' or the bus to 'Mocimboa da Praia'.

Once on-board the bus, make sure you inform the ticket controller that you are going to Ibo. They will let you off at the village 29 de outubro (Point D on the Map). From this point starts the adventure, as you need to travel towards Mahate (Point B on the Map) by hitch-hiking. Note that you will probably have to pay something to the driver. There are not many cars passing through this road, so you might be lucky and get a car which is going to Quissanga. If you decide to do the road by stages, make sure that the vehicle taking you, will stop in villages such as Bilibiza or Mahate (Point B on the Map) as if you can not make it to Ibo, at least you will get a basic structures to sleep and
eat. Once in Quissanga you need to get to Tanganhande where you can get a boat to the beautiful Ibo Island.

Map of Nampula route