Maputo Province

Area: 23,576sq.km
Borders: Gaza to the north, South Africa to the south, Swaziland to the west, Indian Ocean to the east.
Tsonga is the most representative ethnic group.
Population Density: 44inhabitants/sq.km
Main Products: citrus, sugar, diatomite, bentonite and limestone.

CATEMBE
On the other side of the Maputo Bay, a really nice place to go on weekends to relax and have great seafood.
There are a few places there, we recommend:
Restaurante Marrisqueira "A Jangada" great seafood. Live Music on weekends. **
Diogo's Restaurant: also very good for L.M. Prawns. **
There is plenty of small Kiosque's for a cold beer.

ISLANDS - INHACA
We organize cheaper transport & diving at the island.
The boat "Nordsman" only leaves Saturday's and Sunday coming back on the same day.
You can go on a Saturday and come back the same day, next weekend or the day after.
Leaving has to be on the weekend.
Leaves Maputo at the Fishing Harbour at 07.45h and returns at about 17.30h.
First stop at Portuguese Island, good spot for snorkelling and white beaches and then to Inhaca.
Please ask for more info. Bookings must be done as early as possible. Price 30Usd return.
Off the shore of Maputo, where you can relax watching the birds, dolphins or whales, enjoy great fishing, or for the mad surfers nice waves at the Lighthouse, while diving watch for the dangerous tiger sharks and see the most beautiful fish while snorkelling. You can also visit the amazing Biology Museum or just have the Indian Ocean all to yourself. If you are camping, go to the Marine office to pay your fee. There are camping facilities at Santa Maria channel but you must take almost everything with you. To get to these places you need transport as walking will take about 2 hours. Find out about this with the locals or at Lucas Restaurant. There is a small market where you will find the basics, egg. bread, eggs etc.
We can also organise transport with speedboats or cheaper options with the fishermen. Flying is also possible every day. Water sports and scuba diving facilities are available at the hotel premises. Various equipment is also available for hire. There is some different scuba diving possibilities offered. The island has become dangerous with a lot of thieves so no more free camping. Camping is possible at Santa Maria Point, by the Lighthouse and Biology Museum. Budget rate. Must take everything with you especially water, there is a watchmen all the time. For bookings contact us or Research Station phone: 490009.

Or Indigo Islands. A Lodge, not a Backpackers.

A good restaurant is Luca's. The best seafood place on the island. They also allow camping. For the facilities they have.

XEFINA
Not so far as Inhaca, for a day trip or even more if you're prepared, is the fascinating Xefina Island with enormous cannons (still in place) used to protect the access to the bay during the Second World War. The island became a prison during the colonial times, the remains of which can be explored. It's also well worth a climb up the dunes for the scenery. There is no regular transport to the island but we can organise something for you - minimum of 4. There are no amenities whatsoever on the island.

MAPUTO ELEPHANT RESERVE, PONTA MALONGANE, PONTA DO OURO
About 3hrs from Maputo, north, is the Maputo Elephant Reserve, proclaimed in 1960, consisting of almost 75 000 hectares of land with magnificent scenery including dune forests, rolling grasslands, and many shallow lakes where hippo and crocodile may be seen. Excellent bird-life, small game, and the survivors of the elephant population are all there to be seen. You can camp there but there are no amenities whatsoever and you will need a 4x4.
We organize tours for minimum 3 persons.
Ponta Malongane, an hour later, will get you to an exotic white beach with coral reefs on the azure Indian Ocean. If you take a walk down the beach to Ponta do Ouro you might encounter some turtles on the way. Both places have got camping facilities and bungalows. Snorkelling and diving can be arranged. You can always use the border to South Africa at Ponta de Ouro. You can also go by road; there is a turn at Changalane on the road to the Swazi border. Alternatively just cross by ferry from Maputo to Catembe, they take cars as well. You need a 4x4.

Ponta do Ouro is one of the best organized diving spots in Mozambique; Ponta de Ouro is an exquisite place to go. Just a pity that their prices are a bit too expensive, best time to go is in low season, as the South Africans do there holidaying there. So, it becomes very crowded and the place looses it's the magic. There are lots of companies doing diving, snorkelling, dolphin's and sharks encounters, etc.
Places to stay:
Centro Turistico: affordable.
They have  camping and bungalows. Do not leave anything like passport, money, camera, etc. as there has been theft reported from the rooms.
Diving Companies: they all offer accommodation.
Dolphin Encounters.
Simply Scuba only has tents
Aqua sports Dive Charters

NAMAACHA
Nammacha, borders with Swaziland, 80km west from Maputo, at 600m high, is one of Maputo ideal spot for a rest. Has a very scenic waterfall, 3km from town, surrounded by pine and eucalyptus. Very few affordable facilities. There is the Hotel Libombo, with an amazing view of the mountains.***

MACANETA
One hour drive from Maputo you get to Marracuene. A lovely and picturesque town which is part of our history, its where the Portuguese had anchored back in 16th century and where they had lots of resistance from the Kingdom of Gungunhana, our King at the time that was sent to Azores Island in exile. Mozambique got back his remains that are in the Fortaleza in Maputo city. So, if you have any interest in architecture it is well worth rambling around the town.
There is a new campsite just before the turn off, Acampamento de Marracuene, with a beautiful view of the river, the best sunset and all kinds of birds. There you cross the Incomati River by ferry to get to Macaneta, a stretch of white beach where your eyes will wonder at the massive waves perfect for body surfing. To get to Macaneta, you must turn right into the village and straight down until you get to a circle, turn left. The dock is nearby, down a small sand road. You will pass a fish market to get to the ferry.
Complexo Turistico da Macaneta, right on the beach. * Good seafood Restaurant.
For accommodation they have chalets facing the sea and the river. Camping is possible.
They also offer a boat service from the ferry to the beach. A beautiful drive with amazing scenery. If you have a car leave it in care of Julio, the Kiosk owner, where you can relax while waiting for the boat or the ferry.
Incomati River Lodge, located on the riverbank. Full board accommodation, camping is possible. Swimming, windsurfing, bird watching and canoes to search for hippos.
A 10-sitter boat departs from Marracuene ferry station every Saturday and Sunday between 10.00/10.30h. As a free service to overnight guests. Duration of the trip - one hour.
Day visitors: will have a lunch of local fresh ingredients cooked in Mozambican or Portuguese style.
They also have chalets.
Jay's Camp, it's far and you need a 4x4. Accommodation is very expensive, camping is possible. Meals sometimes available. Wonderful setting. NOT FRIENDLY TO BACKPACKERS.
Bungalows (4 persons)
Camping for tent