Maputo, with its unique cultural heritage, offers visitors a remarkable experience. Here’s a round-up of where to stay and what to see.
About Maputo
Maputo, capital of Mozambique, was founded in the late 18th century and was originally known as Lourenço Marques, after a Portuguese trader who first explored the area in 1544.
In 1907 it became the capital of the then Portuguese East Africa, and after Mozambique’s independence in 1975, a large portion of the city's large Portuguese population left and its name was changed to Maputo.
Places to stay in Maputo
The Polana Serena Hotel
The five-star Polana Serena Hotel dates from 1922 and showcases local architecture, culture and heritage. In 2000 the hotel underwent extensive renovation and now has 142 rooms and three restaurants: an all-day-dining Varanda Restaurant; the Delagoa fine-dining restaurant and the Aquarius Sushi bar as well as the Polana bar.
Facilities include the ‘Maisha’ Mind Body and Spirit Health Club and Spa, a swimming pool, extensive gardens, an exclusive residents’ lounge, a business centre, a beauty salon and three gift shops.
The hotel is also equipped for business functions and offers a conference and social events suite as well as a ballroom.
Mavalane International Airport is 15 minutes from the hotel, making it a prime spot for corporate or leisure stays.
The Radisson Blu Hotel
The Radisson Blu Hotel is 7km from the Maputo city centre.
Its 154 rooms include business-class rooms, junior and ambassador suites.
Guests can dine at the Filini Italian restaurant within the hotel and enjoy any of the three bars: the Oceano Bar, the Pool Bar and the Palmeira Lounge.
There is a fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool and an outside lounge area on the sundeck.
For business travellers there are three meeting rooms, a conference room and a pre-function area. The hotel is close to the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre, making it an ideal accommodation spot for business trips.
Southern Sun Hotel
The Southern Sun Hotel in Maputo is on the beachfront and 7km from Maputo International Airport.
It has completed renovations of its existing 158 rooms and built an additional 111 rooms and three conference rooms.
Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean, an all-day dining restaurant, a business lounge and a fitness centre.
What to see in Maputo
St Anthony’s Church
St. Anthony’s Church is situated in the city centre, near the Polana Serena Hotel. The church is known throughout Maputo for its unique structural design. Indian pioneers were amongst the first foreign settlers in Mozambique, with the Portuguese arriving in 1445 and the church reflects their cultural influences.
Museum of Natural History
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The Museum of Natural History is on R. da Argélia, near the Hotel Cardoso. The museum displays traditional Mozambican musical instruments, a taxidermy collection of African wildlife, including a timeline display of elephant foetuses. In the rooms housing musical instruments, guests are greeted with a live performance by two locals.
San Sebastian Fortress
The fortress is near a fishing port in Maputo and was originally built to protect the bay from invasions from Spanish and German colonialists. The fortress is significant to both Mozambique and South Africa as SA aided in the building of the fort and the railway as Paul Kruger wanted to link Pretoria and Maputo by train.
Railway Station
The station showcases the first train that travelled from Maputo to Pretoria. The station is still operational, with morning and evening trains. A highlight for tourists is the train bar, which is situated in the middle of the station. It showcases jazz music in the evenings and is a prime spot to visit at night in Maputo.
Maputo Elephant Reserve
The Maputo Elephant Reserve is north of Ponta Malongane and covers 50 000 hectares.
The reserve is a sanctuary for elephant and other game species. Poaching during the civil war reduced the elephant numbers considerably and killed the reserve’s entire population of White rhino.
During the winter months, the breeding herds gather with their calves near the reserve’s headquarters before migrating southwards.
Vistors can also see hippo, crocodile, nyala, red duiker, suni, vervet monkey and reedbuck. The reserve also offers bird watching, where the African Fish eagle, Crested guinea fowl, Olive bee-eater, Woodland kingfisher, White-helmeted shrike, and Grey, Trumpeter and Crowned hornbills can be seen.
The Iron House
Near the city centre on Praca da Independencia Avenue is the Iron House, or Casa do Ferro.
The house is made entirely of iron and was designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). It was built as the governor’s house in the late 19th Century, however, proved too hot to live in.
Africa Bar
Africa Bar is situated on de Juiho Baiza Avenue and is a popular spot for locals. The bar has live jazz music every Thursday night and is open Wednesday to Sunday.
