In Maputo, capital of Mozambique, the beach is not just for relaxing. It is an extension of city life – a place for frolicking, flirting and more besides, says Donal Conlon

Tremayne Carew-Pole, of Hedonist's Guides, on the beach

Six years ago, a holiday in Sierra Leone would have been unthinkable. But with the civil war behind it and new flights and hotels on the horizon, the West African country is starting to attract adventurous travellers. Clemency Burton-Hill takes an island-hopping tour and falls under the country's spell