Elephants in Maputo Elephant Reserve, Mozambique

Kerry Butler

The coastal city of Maputo is the capital of Mozambique. Maputo day trips can be exotic or urban depending on the preference of the traveler. Maputo is considered a vibrant African city with many interesting activities.

Head to the Beach

Maputo is located on the waters of the Indian Ocean, and beach activities are a big part of life. There are some truly beautiful beaches in Maputo, and the government works hard to maintain the quality. Swimming in the sea is encouraged as the waters are clean and the water temperature is very comfortable. There are a number of private beaches in the area for people to rent a cabana for the day. Mozambique is fairly close to the equator, so people from cooler climates might have a hard time getting used to the sun. The cabanas provide shade, and workers from the hotels provide water and snacks to the vacationers. Snorkeling is also another popular endeavor to try since there is a fair amount of aquatic life in the water.

A Mixture of Changing Times

The city is bustling with a wide variety of architecture and gardens. Taking a walking tour of the city can be exciting. The city itself can be navigated fairly comfortably from one end to the other. Maputo is said to be a combination of the Latin America and Africa. There are a number of colonial places built in the city. For example, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to settle in Mozambique and brought their style with them. The Stalinist-area buildings stand next to the colonial palaces, hinting of the city’s revolutionary past. Completing the skyline are modern skyscrapers, with 19th century gardens nestled between them.