For many years, Mozambique’s international reputation suffered due to civil war and natural disasters. However, almost a quarter of a century after the end of its most significant conflict, the country is emerging as one of Southern Africa’s most rewarding tourism destinations. It boasts remarkably untouched wilderness areas, ranging from lush game reserves to sun-drenched tropical islands. Its capital, Maputo, is a cosmopolitan city defined by its European architecture and diverse residents, while the cuisine throughout the country is influenced by Mozambique’s Portuguese heritage. Here are some of the best ways to spend your time in this fascinating country.
Learn About Mozambican History and Culture on a Tour
Maputo, the capital city, is an excellent starting point for any trip to Top Things to Do in Mozambique. The city offers a variety of guided tours and day trips designed to provide a deep understanding of the country’s vibrant African culture.
Tours Maputo offers guided trips in both English and Portuguese. Their Maputo City Tour focuses on the downtown area, showcasing the city’s historical landmarks and architectural gems. The Mafalala Bairro Culture Tour takes guests through historic alleyways and local neighborhoods, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of residents. This tour is similar to a visit to Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, where you can observe the everyday lives of the community. Mafalala is particularly significant as it is the birthplace of many of Mozambique’s most celebrated artists, politicians, and sports legends.
Dana Tours also provides guided tours that highlight Maputo’s art and culture. These tours include visits to the former home of the renowned Mozambican painter and poet Malangatana Ngwenya, the Ntsindya Cultural Center, Xipamanine Market, and the home of local artist Walter Zand. Other tours offered by Dana Tours focus on Mozambican food and offer an in-depth exploration of neighborhoods like Mafalala and the historic downtown, Baixa de Maputo.
Discover the Country’s Colonial Past
Mozambique’s history is as captivating as it is complex. From approximately 1500 to 1975, the country was a Portuguese colony. Before that, for several centuries, it was frequented by traders from Arabia, India, China, and beyond. The area was also home to the San, Khoisani, and other Bantu-speaking Indigenous peoples, who are thought to have arrived between the first and fifth centuries.
Each of these cultures has left a unique mark on Mozambique, particularly on Ilha de Moçambique, an island connected to the country’s north coast by a bridge. The island served as the capital of Portuguese East Africa until 1898. Today, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its important historical architecture. Notable buildings include Fort São Sebastião, built in 1558, and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, completed in 1522, now considered the oldest European building in the southern hemisphere.
In the Quirimbas Archipelago, Ibo Island also offers the opportunity to explore the remnants of a rich colonial past, with crumbling mosques, churches, forts, and cemeteries. The island’s unique blend of cultures and historical significance makes it a must-see destination for those interested in the history of Top Things to Do in Mozambique.
Learn to Scuba Dive
For many visitors, Top Things to Do in Mozambique is synonymous with the ocean, especially given its coastline, which stretches for an astonishing 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers). If you have an interest in exploring what lies beneath the waves, Mozambique is an excellent place to learn to scuba dive. Tofo Beach in Inhambane Province is renowned for its world-class scuba diving and offers a good selection of dive operators and training organizations.
Course prices are relatively reasonable, with entry-level rates averaging around $420 (compared to rates of over $500 in the United States). The conditions here are generally excellent for beginners, with warm water temperatures (ranging from 72 to 82°F or 22-28°C), limited current, and good visibility.
The marine life at Tofo is the biggest draw. The surrounding reefs are vibrant with colorful fish and corals, and the area is known worldwide for its resident populations of whale sharks and manta rays. Other popular scuba diving locations include the Quirimbas and Bazaruto archipelagos, Ponta do Ouro, and Guinjata Bay.
Go Island Hopping
If you are already a certified diver or are interested in a paradise island experience, make a beeline for one of Mozambique’s offshore archipelagos. In the south, the Bazaruto Archipelago comprises six idyllic islands, while in the north, the Quirimbas Archipelago is a treasure trove of 32 islands. Both areas are protected as Marine National Parks, and the scenery is picture-perfect, with swaying palms and white-sand beaches set against the turquoise sea.
Many of the islands and islets are uninhabited or provide temporary homes for nomadic fishermen. Traditional dhows and dugout canoes ply the channels between them, offering endless opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, and simply relaxing on the beach.
Both archipelagos offer a selection of luxury lodges designed for an indulgent getaway, such as Situ Island Resort in the Quirimbas or &Beyond Benguerra Lodge in Bazaruto.
Swim With Wild Dolphins and Try Deep Sea Fishing
Ponta do Ouro is recognized as one of the best places in the world for ethical dolphin encounters. Located in the southern part of the country near the South African border, it is home to a resident population of bottlenose dolphins. Local conservationists have been studying and working with these dolphins for two decades, slowly habituating them to allow people to interact safely in their natural environment. Several companies offer dolphin tours, but the original is operated through the Dolphin Encountours Research Center.
This operator adheres to a strict code of conduct that ensures a positive experience for the dolphins while using the proceeds from the tours to fund ongoing research and conservation efforts. You can sign up for a one-time snorkeling tour or increase your chances of success with a three-day launch package. While there are no guarantees of seeing the dolphins due to their wild nature, swimming alongside them is an unforgettable experience. Other potential sightings include spinner, spotted, and humpback dolphins, as well as humpback whales during their migration season.
The Mozambique Channel offers perfect conditions for catching bucket-list species such as sailfish, marlin, tuna, and dorado, making the country a deep-sea fisherman’s paradise. The warm water and dramatic underwater topography create nutrient-rich upwellings that attract hunting pelagics.
While some of the best fishing spots are in the Quirimbas and Bazaruto archipelagos, the legendary status of St. Lazarus Banks is hard to beat. Located approximately 55 miles (90 kilometers) offshore, the banks can only be reached by charter boat, usually on a multi-day liveaboard trip. Strong currents and abundant food attract trophy-sized fish, ranging from giant trevallies to dogtooth tuna, with the peak season running from August to the end of April. Be sure to choose a charter that follows a catch-and-release policy, as Mozambique is increasingly affected by overfishing.
Sample Mozambican Cuisine
Mozambique’s extensive coastline inspires its national cuisine, with seafood featuring prominently on menus throughout the country. Whether you dine at a five-star resort or a roadside shack, you will have the opportunity to sample fish, calamari, and octopus. Prawns are the most iconic Mozambican dish, along with galinha asada (barbecued chicken). Both are often marinated in piri-piri sauce, Mozambique’s most famous export. Other essential ingredients include coconut, cassava, and cashews.
Portuguese influences are evident in many dishes, including rissóis de camarão (shrimp-filled croquettes) and dobrada (a tripe stew served with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and chilies). Whatever you choose, don’t miss out on pão, a Portuguese-style bread roll best bought fresh from early morning markets. Mozambique’s top beer brands are 2M and Laurentina, while local tipo tinto rum is best paired with raspberry in a drink known as R&R.
Look for Exotic Wildlife
While most safari enthusiasts head south to South Africa or north to Tanzania and Kenya, Mozambique is also home to impressive reserves. The jewel in the country’s wildlife crown is Gorongosa National Park, a reserve that has recovered admirably after the poaching epidemic caused by the civil war. Located at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley, the park’s floodplains are now a haven for lion, elephant, hippo, and antelope.
Marromeu National Park, located in the north of the country, is a coastal reserve that harbors the highest density of waterbirds in Mozambique, including rarities such as the African skimmer and the wattled crane. In the south, Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park connects several of the greatest wildlife areas in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, creating a super-park measuring 13,500 square miles (35,000 square kilometers). Exploring the wildlife is one of the Top Things to Do in Mozambique.
Explore Lake Niassa
In the northwestern part of the country, Lake Niassa (or Lake Malawi, as it’s known by the rest of the world) spans Mozambique’s borders with Tanzania and Malawi. It is the ninth-largest lake in the world and supports more fish species than any other lake on Earth. The most famous are the cichlids, colorful freshwater fish with an astonishingly high rate of endemism.
Christened the "Lake of Stars" by explorer David Livingstone, the Mozambican section of Lake Niassa is unspoiled and remote. The adjacent Niassa Game Reserve is home to abundant wildlife, including over 10,000 elephants and the critically endangered African wild dog. It is also a sanctuary for endemic ungulates, including the Boehm’s zebra, the Johnston’s impala, and the Niassa wildebeest. Luxury lodges like Mbuna Bay Lodge and Nkwichi Lodge invite travelers to experience the best of the lake through a range of water-based activities. These are the Top Things to Do in Mozambique.
