The exotic country of Mozambique lies on the coast in the Southeast of Africa and his home to about 21 million people with approximately 1.5 million of them residing in the
capital city of Maputo. The nation gained its independence from Portugal back in 1975. However, the official language is still Portuguese, and there are many local languages spoken as
well with English sometimes found in tourist areas.
Some of the other major centers in the country include Beira, Pemba, Inhaca island, Songo, Ilha de Mozambique, Vilanculos, the Bazaruto Archipelago, Ponta d'Ouro, Tofo Beach, Chimoio,
Lichinga, Inhambane, Nampula, Tete, and Quelimane.
The climate is generally cooler inland and more humid on the coast. The dry season is the winter, which is between April and September. The rainy season is warmer and more humid and
runs between October and March, with the average temperature on the coast about 88°F.
The picturesque nation offers about 1,500 miles of coastline, palm-treed beaches and lagoons,
coral reefs, rugged mountains, forests, woodlands,
fertile valleys, numerous rivers, savannah, amazing wildlife, and some very interesting reserves and parks.
The Bazaruto archipelago, which sits in the Indian Ocean, is one of the most popular areas in the country as it consists of five islands that are simply stunning. The islands are ideal
for tropical getaways and offer excellent fishing, sandy beaches, water sports, snorkelling, and a marine park. There are thousands of mammal and fish species in this area.
The capital of Maputo is very stylish and cosmopolitan and gives off a wonderful Mediterranean/African vibe. It features Portuguese-style architecture in its colonial buildings and has
an old-world charm to it. The lively city offers numerous street vendors, markets and cafes and offers an easy-going pace of life. This city is close to many wonderful beaches and
resorts and is home to the Maputo Elephant Reserve.
The Central Railway Station was designed in 1910 by the famous Gustave Eiffel and it’s one of the most spectacular in the world as it has wrought iron work, marble pillars and a huge
central dome. The historic Polana hotel, which sits on the bay is also well worth a visit as is the Museum of the Revolution.
Inhaca Island sits about 25 miles from the coast of Maputo, and has some fantastic beaches, coral reefs, a marine biology museum and a historic lighthouse. It’s also a great place to
dive while exploring sunken shipwrecks. You can get there by ferry or a quick flight.
Most of the nation’s parks and wildlife reserves are filled with elephants, antelope, and buffalo and are ideal places for hiking and bird-watching. One of the best is Gorongosa
National Park. If you’re interested in fishing you’ll be glad to hear that Mozambique offers some of the best spots in the world to try your luck, especially in the Guinjata Bay area
and the Mozambique Channel. Big game fish are often caught here that weigh as much as 1,000 lbs.
Ilha de Mozambique is known as Mozambique Island and it’s located in the north. It used to be the country’s capital for almost 400 years when it was under Portuguese rule. It's a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and features a wonderful mixture of Muslim and Portuguese architecture. There’s an interesting museum to visit as well as a fort, and the Church of Nossa
Senhora Baluarte, which was built in 1522.
When traveling to Mozambique by air the main airport is in Maputo, and you can get to town by bus and taxi. You can get there by train from Johannesburg, and Durban, in South Africa
and by road (car and bus) from neighboring countries. These are great ways to enjoy the scenery. When you’re in the country there are some domestic flights and limited rail service.
Most of Mozambique is also covered by bus service and you can rent cars in Beira and Maputo.
The food is quite interesting as it’s a mix of Far Eastern, Portuguese, and African cuisines. The seafood is fresh and fantastic and some of the best local dishes include Piri-piri
chicken and prawns, Zambesi chicken, shellfish, rice with cassava leaves and ground peanut sauce, and maize porridge.
The nightlife in Maputo is pretty lively, especially on the weekends at the discos and bars. There’s some live music which is usually Mozambican rhythms and pop music. Most of the
major towns also have movie cinemas.
The country of Mozambique is one of the most stunning in Africa, especially the islands. You’ll never forget the amazing variety of sea life and animals that you can see along with the
stunning scenery, sandy beaches and charming towns.
About Mozambique