Travel to Maputo

some very attractive beach lodges

The capital of Mozambique, Maputo, is a typically bustling place of around 1.5 million people.

Formerly known as Lourenco Marques, or “LM”, it is set on the northern bank of the Tembe River where it flows into the enormous Maputo Bay.

Its attractive jacaranda and palm lined avenues lend the city a distinctly relaxed and Mediterranean feel.

Fine Portuguese architecture now stands side by side with more prosaic modern developments. The city feels safe and ordering, with colourful markets and active nightlife.

Maputo contains a number of reliable large hotels, notably the Polana Serena Hotel.

The coastline around the southside of Maputo Bay and south to the border with South Africa contains some really beautiful areas and some interesting lodges.

Peninsular de Machangula

The Peninsular de Machangula is a 40 km tongue of land which projects northwards to protect the broad Maputo Bay. Despite its proximity to the capital city, this area feels remarkably remote and untouched.

The peninsula has large coastal dune-fields to the east, subtropical forests, lagoons and mangroves to the west. It also has the most southerly coral reefs along this coast, making it quite a target for divers.

The most northerly part, Inhaca Island, was the first place settled by Portuguese traders after they rounded the Cape in 1550.

The area contains Machangulo Beach Lodge, a really nice option which can be accessed by road and motorboat from Kruger.

Maputo Elephant Reserve

The Maputo Elephant Reserve is, rather excitingly, presently undergoing a major process to restore its wildlife populations.

Ponta Malongane

Ponta Malongane is the section of coastline which runs down to the border with South Africa. Accommodation around the town of Ponta d’Ouro is largely aimed at South African self-drivers. However White Pearl is a really high class lodge on a lovely remote beach.

The southern sections of the Mozambique coastline tend to feature in trips most commonly in combination with safari in the Kruger area of South Africa.

Stay durations are usually 4-8 nights, usually at one lodge, but sometimes split between two different spots.

Seasonality

The Maputo area is at its best during the Mar-Nov dry season, but there are good reasons to visit during other months.

Getting there

If you are planning to go on safari to the Kruger area of South Africa, then the beach lodges of this area can be connected by road to Maputo. The city can also be accessed by air from Johannesburg.

From Maputo, the lodges can be accessed by road or helicopter.

accessible by road from Kruger