Vilankulo

Vilankulo, also written Vilanculos, is a coastal town in Mozambique, lying in the Vilanculos District of Inhambane Province. It is named after the local tribal chief Gamela Vilankulo Mukoke, and some of its suburbs are named after his sons. Known as Vilanculos in colonial times, it took its present name at independence. The town has grown extensively over the last decade and has received considerable investment in its tourism infrastructure. It is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, which dhows and helicopters reach from the town, and it offers ocean safaris, scuba diving, snorkelling and boat tours. The town is only about five kilometres long, a new international airport serves daily flights to regional destinations including Johannesburg and Maputo, and the local football club, Vilankulo F.C., was promoted to the Moçambola in November 2009.