Famous becaused of Delagoa Bay (Baía do Espírito Santo) where the capital, Maputo, is located, this province has a rare charm provided by the contrast between urban and rural ways of life.
Characteristics of the province
Area: 23,576 sq. km
Borders: Gaza to the north, South Africa to the south, Swaziland to the west and India Ocean to the east.
Main products: Citrus, sugar diatomite, bentonite and limeston.
Population density: 44 inhabitants/ sq. km
Most represented ethnic group: Tsonga.
The city of 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.
Getting to Maputo
Maputo can be reached from South Africa via the Komtipoort / 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 (Lisbon).
Main places to stay in Maputo
The city has an excellent range of hotels and accomodation for all pockets, including the following hotels: H. Polana, H. Cardoso, H. Escola Andalucia, H. Terminus, H. Vip Maputo, H. Rovuma Carlton, H. Ibis, H. Monte Carlos, and Holiday Inn, Hotel Tivoli, Hotel Avenida. The following hotel chains also operate in Maputo: Pestana Group, Accor Group, Vip Group, Rani International Group, Teixeira Duarte Group and the Southern Sun Group.
Sightseeing
Cathedral
The Catholic Cathedral is an imposing white building with a beautiful tower.
Municipal council
Neoclassic style building located in the Praça da Independência. Built in 1945.
Tunduro Park
Designed in 1885, it is home to a collection of cycads and other indigenous and exotic plants.
Railway Station
Built in 1910, this green and white building has a metal dome located on the Praça dos Trabalhadores.
Fort
Built in 1781, today it is a military museum with relics from Mozambique’s colonial era.
Main places to stay in the province of Maputo
Hotel Casino Libombos (Namaacha), H. Xisaka (Namaacha), H. Costa Pereira (Ressano Garcia), Macaneta Tourist Complex (Macaneta), Jay's Tourist Complex (Macaneta), Marracuene Campsite(Marracuene), Motel do Mar (Ponta do Ouro), Tourist Campsite (Ponta do Ouro), Inhaca Lodge(Inhaca), A Palhota Tourist Complex (Pequenos Libombos), Casa Lisa Tourist Complex (Marracuene), Malongane Tourist Complex (Malongane), Ponta do Ouro Guest Lodge (Ponta do Ouro), Ponta Dobela Complex (Ponta Dobela). There are other tourist establishments such as hostels and inns throughout the districts.
Museums
There are several museums in the town. You are particularly recommended to visit:
Natural History Museum
Housed in a gothic style building, this museum displays many of the animal species of Mozambique.
Beaches
Macaneta beach
An open beach with good waves and white sand. You can stay at one of the bungalows in the Macaneta Tourist Complex or at Jays Tourist Complex. Access by ferry from Maputo or by road from Marracuene (see below).
Ponto do ouro
The 117 km road to Ponta de Ouro from Maputo requires a 4x4 vehicle. From the South African side, the Ponta do Ouro border post can be reached by taking the road to Kosi Bay and turning left at the fork after the Manguzi Spar. One can stay at Motel do Mar or at the camping site.
Ponta Malongane
5 km to the north of Ponta de Ouro, there is a beautiful beach with white sand and a blue-green sea. There is a motel and camping site at Malongane.
Inhaca Island
34 km from Maputo in the bay, this island is accessible by both boat and plane. Organized tours to various parts of the island such as Ponta de Santa Maria or to Portuguese Island are possible. Inhaca Hotel is waiting for you.
Mountains and countryside
Marracuene and Incomati river
30 km to the north of Maputo is located the village of Marracuene, which overlooks the Incomati river. It is possible to cross the river by ferry and then to drive for 8 km along a sandy/muddy road to the beach.
Pequenos Limbombos Dam
40km from Maputo. The reservoir is a tranquil spot for bathing and sundowners.
Namaacha
The town of Namaacha is located on the border with Swaziland, 80 km west of Maputo and at an altitude of 600m. It is surrounded by pine and eucalyptus forests and there is a crystalline and fresh waterfall 3 km from the town. Quality accommodation at the Hotel – Casino dos Limbombos and Xisaka Hotel.
Flora and Fauna
Maputo Reserve
This reserve is currently part of the IDEL/SDI – Libombos Spacial Development Initiative, an integrated development scheme that involves the regions of Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa that are covered by the Libombos range.
Responsible for Tourism
Maputo province
Rua Comandante Vasco Rodrigues 105 - Matola
Tel: +258 1 721976 / 722638
