Mozambique's capital, Maputo, is known for its well-preserved Portuguese colonial architecture. With its beautiful art deco architecture and its exceptional setting on a hill overlooking the glittering Maputo Bay, the city of Maputo once sparkled as the 'Riviera' of Southern Africa. Previously called Lourenco Marques, Maputo is Mozambique's largest city and home to the country's most famous harbour. It is well-equipped with a wide selection of hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, a vibrant cultural scene and open-air sidewalk cafes lining the streets. Visitors can stroll down the jacaranda-lined streets of the Baixa neighbourhood in the Old Town, explore the Praca da Independencia square, discover the Neoclassical City Hall and view the unique bronze-domed Maputo Railway Station. Other popular activities include visiting Catembe and Ponta d'Oura's beautiful beaches as well as snorkelling and scuba diving in the warm Mozambican waters.
Set off the beaten track, the Special Elephant Reserve, referred to as the Maputo Elephant Reserve until 1969, was established in 1960 to protect the elephant population in the region. Now, one of earth's 36 biologically richest and most endangered ecoregions, the Maputo Special Reserve is a crucial component of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area. Measuring just under 1,500 km², this expansive region links a mosaic of marine, coastal and inland landscapes that offer significant conservation value and potential for high-value tourism. Home to exquisite lakes, floodplains, mangrove swamps, woodlands, and forested dunes sweeping down to unspoilt golden sand beaches, this beautiful piece of untouched wilderness provides a sanctuary for an extraordinarily diverse array of African wildlife, including impressive flocks of vibrant flamingos and exotic birds. Keep an eye out for leopard, antelope, crocodile, hippo, side-striped jackal, zebra, kudu, baboon and bushpig. It is also renowned for its population of over 400 elephants that graze in large herds on the open floodplains or explore the dense dune forests.
Located in the Great Rift Valley, in Central Mozambique, the Gorongosa National Park is known for its unique biodiversity, spectacular natural scenery and abundant wildlife. The focus of a National Geographic film entitled ‘Africa’s Lost Eden’, the Gorongosa National Park – with its cobalt-blue lagoons, wide open savannah and forested mountains studded with waterfalls – is indeed an earthly paradise, tucked beneath the towering peak of Mount Gorongosa. This popular ecotourism destination presents a conservation success story of community-engaged environmentalism at its best. Activities offered include game drives, guided game treks, waterfall hikes, sundowner excursions, and birding safaris.
