100% Africa !

What was previously known as Lourenzo Marques, located in the extreme south of Mozambique, at the mouth of the Santo River, 90 km’s from the border of South Africa. Maputo’s a sprawling capital city with a bustling harbor and a population of about two million people! The city was called Lourenco Marques until the country’s independence in 1975. It has been the capital of Mozambique since 1898 is now called Maputo.
It was once one of Africa’s most beautiful and fashionable cities, with impressive skylines of tall buildings, and a cosmopolitan Portuguese/African atmosphere. The Polana Hotel buzzed with chatter of socialites and nightclubs thumped til the early hours of the morning.
Unfortunately, in the Mozambique war in the 1970’s and 1980’s, threw this prosperous African city into chaos and poverty, and when peace finally came, the proud city was in disrepair. Litter lay everywhere, major services including water and electricity were out of commission, and immigrants crowded the buildings.
Slowly recapturing some of its former glory, Maputo has still not managed to reach the romantic heyday of the 60’s and early 70’s. Multi-million dollar mansions overlook the sea whilst massive slums ring the city, and with dilapidated concrete high rises standing next to beautiful Portuguese villas, the gap between rich and poor is vast.
But don’t be fooled. There are amazing things to be seen in Maputo. The most important landmark being “Our Lady Of Conception” or the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceiao – the nucleus of the original settlement. Another building to definitely be visited is the Central Railway Station, which looks more along the lines of a palace for kings, rather than a siding for commuters! Whilst the bustling market is also worth a visit, with stalls selling a wide range of fresh food – you’ll find heaps of cashew nuts and chillis. Not to mention some of the excellent restaurants serving peri-peri prawns, wash it down with a cold Laurentia beer. Or visit the infamous Fere de Populare, with dozens of bars and discos, Mozambicans dance into the night to seductive Latino beats.
For most visitors however, Mozambique’s incredible coastline is the main attraction. Unfortunately, with the cyclone hitting Maputo’s beach in 2007, most of it was washed away so it’s not really advisable to swim in the ocean. But for a true tropical island holiday, rather look at the picture-postcard islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago.
And with a regular ferry service, it will take you from Maputo’s fishing harbor to Inhaca Island, a favourite for divers and snorkelers. Otherwise head south to Maputo Elephant Reserve – a sanctuary for elephant, hippos, crocs, side-striped jackal and antelope. But remember that you’ll need a 4×4 to get through on the sanctuary’s bumpy roads, and with no restaurants or lodges in the reserve, you’ll need to ensure you’re accommodation is ready after your amazing trip through the sanctuary.
A brief stop-over in Maputo on the way to the Bazaruto Archipelago or Quirimbas Archipelago is highly recommended. With a couple of upmarket hotels in the city, the best being the Polana Hotel, with a grand view over the harbor, the tea gardens, the large, inviting pool and the Victorian lift.

Mozambique is a beautiful country, it is spoilt with white beaches, pristine reefs, a favourite among divers worldly. It is not over-crowded with tourists and travelers, making it unique and special. It’s long, pristine coastline, washed by the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. With a population of over 16 million, made up of ten different ethnic groups, most of the population living off the sea and more than 60 % of the country’s population lives along the coast. With a coastline stretching approximately 2500km’s, warm waters meet beautiful untouched and pristine reefs, clean and palm fringed it’s every holiday makers dream, and then you just need to add the lovely warm weather.

If you’re thinking about taking that ideal tropical island holiday, Mozambique should be at the top of the list! You have many beaches to choose from, the Bazaruto Islands, Quirimbas Islands, Inhaca Island, Inhambane and Pemba tend to make the legendary holiday destinations. And with delicious seafood, who could ask for more! But there is plenty more on offer, considering deep-sea fishing, clear water dotted with coral reefs, just waiting to be explored by those eager scuba-diving fans, and then there’s those snorkeling trips you don’t want to pass up the opportunity of taking. You could also always sail along the shoreline in a traditional Dhow, or play with the dolphins and swim with whale sharks!

Stay in one of the luxurious island lodges, choosing from Benquerra Island, or Mediumbe Private Island, where you have the whole place, to yourselves! If you’re looking to spend your day or holiday on one of the beaches, why not choose from these and have yourself an amazingly, unforgettable holiday:
Inhaca Island with the big waves of Praia da Macaneta will attract the surfers on holiday. It can be reached by boat from Maputo and is a glorious 117km journey to these golden sands.

In the Gaza Province of Mozambique, you’ll find the beach Bilene, Zongoene at the mouth of the Limpopo River, Chidenguele, and Chizavane. Locals gather shellfish at the beach of Xai-Xai, when it’s low tide and several small tide pools have formed. The massive reef running parallel to the beach provides natural protection against the strong waves at high tide.

Within the province of Inhambane, you have a number of beaches to choose from, Praia de Zavala, Praia de Zavora, Guinjata Bay and Baja dos Cocos, or rather Coconut Bay. Take your pick.

Beira’s best beaches are found between the Club Nautico and the Macuti lighthouse. 10 km’s inland from the centre of Beira, is a beautiful tropical resort, with a artificial lagoon, and dotted with islands visitors can swim or hire pedal boats to their choice.

The wonderful beach of endless white sand, Praia de Zalala is reached from Quelimane, by 45km of good road. The beach is lined by dense and leafy casuarinas trees.

Then you have the Nampula Province – with the beach of Praia das Chocas, is popular, as well as Praia de Fernao Veloso, a favourite amongst the locals, situated near Nacala.

You also have the Cabo Delgado Province, the palm lined beach of Praia do Wimbe, noted for its white sand and clear blue waters. Visitors can walk along Wimbe beach, reaching the lighthouse.

With so many beaches to choose from, with amazing accommodation and many activities to also choose from, one really can’t go wrong when Mozambique is their selected choice of destination.

With stunning beaches, excellent diving spots and magical offshore islands, Mozambique is a definite for a holiday.   Go snorkelling, sail through mangrove channels, laze under the palms or wander through the cobbled streets, all options for your time of exploration.  For a very long time, these places were a no-go area due to guerrilla war.  But now you can go through a car hire company because if you’re looking for a wonderful relaxed holiday, where seafood and prawns are freshly served, then Mozambique is the place to be.  For adventure, head to Zambezi for the wilds of Northern Mozambique.

With stunning beaches, excellent diving spots and magical offshore islands, Mozambique is a definite for a holiday. Go snorkelling, sail through mangrove channels, laze under the palms or wander through the cobbled streets, all options for your time of exploration. For a very long time, these places were a no-go area due to guerrilla war. But now you can go through a car hire company because if you’re looking for a wonderful relaxed holiday, where seafood and prawns are freshly served, then Mozambique is the place to be. For adventure, head to Zambezi for the wilds of Northern Mozambique.