20 Apr Best places to visit in mozambique

Are you planning a trip to Africa and have you focused your attention on Mozambique? Good choice! Mozambique, one of the poorest countries on the African continent, combines the charm of the former Portuguese colony with unspoiled landscapes of extreme beauty. The numerous dream beaches and its natural parks are a very good reason to go to this country. Visiting the 800,000 square kilometers of Mozambique in one trip is obviously not possible, but by carefully choosing the most interesting destinations, you can organize a stay not to be forgotten. Let’s see, then, what are the 7 best places to visit in Mozambique.

Best places to visit in Mozambique

Maputo

Located in the far south of the country, Maputo is the capital of Mozambique. It looks like a multicultural city within which Africans, Chinese and Arabs coexist in perfect harmony. Like many other African capitals, Maputo contrasts a center built in a modern style with extremely poor and degraded suburbs. The first place to visit is undoubtedly the suggestive Cathedral, built in the art-decò style at the beginning of the last century. After visiting the port, you can continue your walk to the Maputo Central Market, where you can find a little bit of everything, from food to crafts. As for culture, the Revolution Museum and the Natural History Museum are definitely worth a visit.

Inhambane

Inhambane is a quaint town located in southern Mozambique and one of the places to visit during a trip to this fascinating country. In the past, it was a vibrant center for the ivory and slave trade. Today it is a very quiet city, which offers the opportunity to admire colonial buildings, mosques and typical examples of African architecture. The Cathedral and the mosque of the city are certainly among the places to visit during your stay, without forgetting a walk to the Mercado Central, which is full of colors and smells like all African markets.

Tofo and Barra

North of Maputo, a few kilometers from Inhambane, it is worth visiting the beaches of Tofo and Barra. Tofo is the town that offers the greatest number of services, as well as a long beach washed by the ocean. Renowned for spotting the great whale shark, Tofo is also known as the best site to observe the large number of manta rays that inhabit its waters. If you love surfing or fishing, this location is definitely one of the 7 places to visit in Mozambique. The beach of Barra, more isolated and difficult to reach, is instead the ideal destination if you want to get lost among sand dunes, mangroves and palm groves.

Bazaruto archipelago

A place to visit is certainly the Bazaruto archipelago in southern Mozambique. Located in the Indian Ocean a few kilometers from the coast, the archipelago has 5 islands, of which only two are inhabited. The beaches of these islands are among the most beautiful in the country, a favorite destination also for caretta caretta turtles who have chosen them as a breeding site. A great place to spot dolphins and whales, the islands of this archipelago offer an incredible number of diving spots. The pristine beaches of this archipelago are a perfect destination to relax and enjoy unspoiled nature.

Quirimbas Islands

Among the 7 places to visit in Mozambique, the Quirimbas archipelago cannot be missed. Located in the north of the country, it has 27 dream islands with pristine beaches, mangrove-dominated landscapes and waters populated by sea turtles, dolphins and all sorts of tropical fish. A paradise for lovers of diving and snorkeling, this archipelago boasts a very high number of coral islands gathered in Quirimbas National Park, one of the many protected areas of the country.

Niassa Reserve

Mozambique is a country to visit also for its natural parks. In the far north of the country, we find the Niassa Reserve, a nature reserve of about 42,000 square kilometers. Most of the territory is made up of open savannah, but within it, there is also one of the largest miombo forests. A place to visit if you want to observe elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, impalas, wildebeest and hippos in complete tranquility. The animals, which had suffered a drastic decline during the years of the civil war, have returned to populate this corner of paradise also thanks to the proximity of the Selous Wildlife Reserve in Tanzania. In the absence of barriers, in fact, the animals migrate across the border, helping to repopulate these places.

Gorongosa National Park

In the Mwani language, the name of this park means “place of danger,” but this uninspiring name does not fit in well with the beauty of the landscape. Located in central Mozambique, this park has revived in recent years after a period of decline. Waterfalls and lakes alternate with rainforests, montane grasslands and savannah plains. The fauna is also experiencing a period of repopulation: elephants, antelopes, zebras and lions are making their reappearance in the park and the presence of birds is estimated at at least 400 different species. A place to visit that cannot be missing from your list!