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Mozambique has risen phoenix-like from the ashes of civil war in the 1980s and 90s to become one of southern Africa’s most exciting destinations. It still has some way to go as a fully-fledged safari destination. But for beaches, diving, heritage, and culture Mozambique already shines bright. When it comes to the best 9 things to do in Mozambique, it’s a real struggle to pick so few.
The potential downside to any visit to Mozambique is its enormous size. It’s Indian Ocean coastline stretches for a mind-numbing 1,500 miles (2,400 km). It’s therefore worth considering travelling to Mozambique’s north or south, perhaps in combination with travels to one of its six neighbours.
Give yourself double points if you can name them without looking at a map. The answer is at the bottom of this guide. And then consider renting a vehicle. Only a fool (like me) would rely on public transportation in Mozambique!
1. Explore downtown Maputo
Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, seems like a great place to start. That’s because it’s where you’ll find the country’s main international airport. A growing number of flights connect it with the world.
Look out for flights to Maputo from Lisbon, Istanbul and the new Air France route from Paris. Within Africa, hub airports at Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Nairobi (Kenya) and Johannesburg (South Africa) provide further international links. You could even take a layover in Johannesburg on route.
While sprawling, with an area of 135 square miles (350 square km), central Maputo is relatively compact. The rough gridwork of streets running back from Maputo Bay house some incredible cultural treasures.
From the ferry terminal to Catembe, you’re just a short walk to Maputo Fort (Fortaleza de Maputo). You’re then also at the southern end of Avenida Samora Machel.
The city’s main thoroughfare, many of the top attractions in Maputo are nearby. These include the fascinating Museum of Money (Museu da Moeda). Complete with English-language captions, it traces the story of money right back to its origins.
A lovely place to relax is the Tunduru Gardens. And I’m not just saying that because it was designed by an Englishman in the 1800s. To one side of it, you’ll find the Iron House (Casa de Ferro).
Built by Eiffel’s company, and entirely unsuitable for Mozambique’s heat, it was the Portuguese governor-general’s official home in the city.
But my favourite place in Maputo is the Natural History Museum. As grand as any building in the city, the staff have worked wonders with a tiny budget. There’s no better place to learn more about Mozambique’s natural spectacles, from the bay’s dugong to the country’s elephant herds.
If you’re unsure about heading out alone for any reason, you can book tours of three hours up to full day tours in Maputo from the comfort of home.
2. Climb Mount Binga
At 2,436 metres, Mount Binga is Mozambique’s highest mountain. It crowns the Chimanimani range, which guards the country’s border with Zimbabwe.
Enclosed within Chimanimani National Reserve, it’s possible to summit Binga and get back in a couple of days. However, unlike Mount Cameroon, Kenya, or Kilimanjaro, organised tours are hard to come by.
It’s going to be down to you to organise everything from transport to accommodation. The best place to head to begin with is Chikukwa. Here you can find a local guide to lead you up the mountain.
You can find porters here too, but don’t expect any hiking stores or camping supplies.
3. Dive off the Quirimbas Archipelago
Clinging to the coast between Pemba and Palma, the Quirimbas Archipelago offers such incredible diving opportunities that it made it onto my pick of Africa’s 5 best diving destinations.
In total, thirty-odd islands are strung along Mozambique’s northern coast. The most southerly 11 are in Quirimbas National Park.
Occupying some 3,000 square miles (7,500 square km), it protects a major area of surviving mangrove. But the park also stretches inland for up to 60 miles (100 km) in places.
Surely destined to make it onto UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, accommodation on the island ranges from the luxurious to the more humble. They provide a perfect night’s sleep before a day on pure white sands or among the coral reefs just offshore.
Their waters provide habitats for everything from seahorses to dolphins and turtles. Heading among the trees on land gives the potential for sightings of elephant, lion and leopard.
But if you’re sticking to the southern reaches of Mozambique, you don’t have to miss out. The Bazaruto Archipelago is just as fine a diving proposition. These islands also have Mozambique’s largest dugong population, and welcome whales and whale sharks to their waters each year too.
4. Seek out the Big Five
Gorongoza is ideally situated in the centre of the country, whether you’ve dedicated yourself to southern or northern Mozambique. The national park probably takes the nation’s top billing when it comes to traditional safari experiences.
Although half the size of Quirimbas National Park, it covers a number of different environments, including mountains, lakes, and grassland.
Rehabilitation from damage and poaching during the civil war years is ongoing. It’s obviously succeeding – the first leopard in a generation was spotted in 2018.
Extremely rare African wild dogs (or painted wolf) have also returned to the park. Other favourites such as elephant, hippo, and pangolin are on the park’s known species list too.
In addition to safari drives, activities include canoeing and cycling. Meanwhile, guests can rest up at the Chitengo campsite or Montebelo Lodge, safe in the knowledge ever penny is going to support the ongoing protection of the area.
A similar species list is found in Limpopo National Park. While you might not have heard of it, it sits on the opposite side of the border to South Africa’s Kruger. Elsewhere, Maputo Special Reserve, south of the capital, is best known for its elephants.
Tours provide the best way to see the pachyderms, numbering around 400 individuals. They’re best spotted in the early morning, on the roads that mark the park’s boundaries. An overnight stay will enhance your chances of witnesses these extraordinary creatures.
5. Step back in time on Mozambique Island
Connected to the mainland close to Nampula by a modern causeway, Mozambique Island is where Portuguese colonisation of the region began.
The Portuguese established a port on the island, already a thriving trade hub, in the early 1500s. The tiny Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte (Our Lady of Baluarte) followed in 1522.
Situated on the seaward side of the equally mesmerising Fort Sao Sebastiao, together they are the oldest European structures south of the equator.
The grandeur of its buildings continued into the nineteenth century due to the fact Mozambique Island was the capital of Portuguese East Africa right up until 1898.
Beside grand structures such as the neoclassical hospital building, you’ll find alleyways reminiscent of Mombasa or the medinas of north Africa.
6. Soak up the sun in Ponta do Ouro
I stumbled upon the little seaside town of Ponta do Ouro quite by accident. It was simply the first place I reached after crossing the border from South Africa. I’m very glad it was.
If it’s an easy few days of laid-back beach vibes, sumptuous cuisine and gently sweating 2M beers you’re after, I thoroughly recommend it.
Spend your days lying on the soft sand or joining the locals in a game of beach football. Then enjoy the simply pleasures of nights among the coastal breeze while considering the possibilities of dolphin spotting, big game fishing or scuba diving.
Facilities in the town itself are relatively basic, although hotels in Ponta do Ouro are descent enough. If you’re coming from South Africa, you can also normally pay in rand as well as the Mozambique metical (plural meticais).
Coming from Maputo, it will take you just an hour by road. If you’re travelling without your own vehicle transfers are available.
7. Relish the quieter side of Lake Malawi
Tucked into Mozambique’s northwest corner lies Lake Malawi, known in Mozambique as Lago Niassa.
The Mozambican side is much more tranquil than the busy resort towns on the Malawian side of the lake. But there’s still a good selection of accommodation options such as the Mbuna Bay Lodge, and the very same natural delights.
The lake’s fish-eating eagles aren’t bothered about national boundaries. Nor are the cichlid fish that make the lake unique.
The best area of lakeshore to head to is that between Cobue and Meponda, with most water sports set up around here in collaboration with local communities.
As the largest town in the area, Metangula is popular, while Cobue is the place to head if you fancy the ferry crossing to Likoma. Bear in mind that although in Mozambican waters, Likoma is a Malawian Island – you’ll need a visa to visit.
8. Stroll among the ruins of Manyikeni
Since most local structures were built in organic materials that degrade over time, it can be easy to think that Mozambique was a blank on the map before the arrival of the Portuguese in the late 1400s.
Of course, this version of history is nowhere near the truth, and sites like Manyikeni are steadily shedding light on the centuries prior to the European presence in the region.
Much of what is known about the Manyikeni ruins are little more than theory. It suggests that the site was part of the same empire that constructed Great Zimbabwe.
It’s thought to have been occupied from as early as the twelfth century to around the seventeenth. This coincides almost exactly with the time Europeans pushed inland from the coast.
Excavations in the 1970s revealed the main enclosure, ringed by mortar-less stone just as in Great Zimbabwe. Their findings led scientists to conclude the site was a farming and cattle-rearing community that traded with other nearby towns.
9. Discover small town life in Quelimane
Neither the largest nor the most important of destinations in Mozambique, Quelimane is nonetheless a worthwhile place to pause.
Its main streets are broadly modern in construction, but head to the riverside and you’ll reach the remains of the city’s old cathedral.
Said to be located close to the site where Vasco da Gama first landed on his way to India, it was ironically called the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Livramento – Our Lady of Liberation. It’s also commonly called the catedral velha, the old cathedral.
Contrasting substantially with the modernist new cathedral at the other end of town, this structure and its gentle decay is a chilling reminder of the passing nature of humanity.
What are the best 9 things to do in Mozambique?
From beautiful beaches on the Indian Ocean to national parks deep in the interior, the best 9 things to do in Mozambique are as varied as they are incredible. Whether explored alone or as part of a wider regional tour, be sure not to miss out on the many treasures in Mozambique. And it’s even easier than ever, since visa exemptions were put in place in May 2023 for many passport holders. Instead of obtaining a visa in advance, you now just need to pay a fee of $10 on arrival to process the waiver.
Quiz answer: Mozambique’s neighbours (anticlockwise from north) are: Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and eSwatini (Swaziland).
