South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique
Maputo
- Parent Category: Mozambique
- Category: Maputo
Maputo, formerly named Lourenço Marques, has wide avenues lined with red acacia and lilac jacaranda flowering trees. It offers the tourist innumerable historical, cultural and scenic spots.
Maputo can be reached from South Africa via the Komatipoort/ Ressano Garcia border (120 km from Maputo), or from Swaziland crossing the Namaacha border (80 km from Maputo). There are daily flights from Johannesburg and others direct from Europe (3 flights from Lisbon and 1 flight from Paris).
There are several museums in the town. You are particularly recommended to visit: Museu de História Natural (Natural History Museum). On the Praça da Travessia do Zambeze, housed in a gothic style building, this museum displays many of the animal species of Mozambique.
Marracuene and the Incomati River. 30 km to the north of Maputo is located the village of Marracuene, which overlooks the Incomati River. It is possible to catch the ferry across to the other side and then to drive for 8 km along a sandy/muddy road to the beach. Alternatively, you can take the boat from the Complexo Turístico Macaneta that takes you on a scenic twenty minute trip down the Incomati River round to Macaneta beach.
Namaacha. Namaacha is at the border to Swaziland, 80 km west from Maputo and at an altitude of 600m. This is the ideal spot to rest. It is surrounded by pine and eucalyptus forests and a scenic waterfall with picnic site 3 km from the town is recommended. The Hotel dos Libombos offers excellent accommodation and meals.
Maputo Elephant Reserve. Situated 79 km south of Maputo on the road to Ponta do Ouro via the ferry to Catembe, or 112 km from Maputo via the Boane road. The Maputo Reserve is famous for its elephant herds. Flamingos can also be seen on the large inland lakes near the sea.
