About Maputo

Maputo is the capital city of Mozambique. Maputo backpacking tours are a great starting point to explore Mozambique, with a range of attractions to enjoy.

Maputo Budget Travel

Maputo budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Maputo to help you plan your budget holiday in Maputo. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Maputo.

Airports

Nearest Maputo airports include:
• Maputo International Airport

Birdlife

Maputo birdlife is fairly rich, with a number of key habitats including the Maputo Special Reserve which has a recorded number of334 species, and nearby Inhaca Island which is home to some 300 bird species. Maputo has a number of endemic as well as migratory species, with a range of woodlands, wetlands and coast birds to be found.

Conservation

Maputo conservation efforts include a combination of habitat protection, wildlife preservation and conservation and marine species preservation and conservation. There are a number of protected areas within the city and surrounding islands and areas, and a number of endangered species can be found within the area.

Culture

Maputo cultures are influenced by the following:
• Music and dance is influenced by the Portuguese roots of the country
• Cuisine and food play a key role in social events and festivals
• Arts and crafts are a key part of many cultures
• Architecture and buildings are heavily influenced by colonial eras
• Customs and traditions are a blend of African and Portuguese influences

Customs

Maputo customs includes free import of the following, irrespective of age:
• 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco
• Reasonable quantity of perfume (opened bottle)
• 3/4 liter spirits
• Other articles not exceeding US$50

Health

Maputo health is typical of any African country, with health facilities ranging from average to poor. Malaria is rife in many areas, and other health risks include untreated water, cholera, Rift Valley Fever and plague. Take a first aid kit and vitamins, and follow basic health precautions to ensure that you stay healthy on your Maputo travels.

AIDS

Maputo HIV/AIDS is a serious epidemic, with an extremely high national rate of 12.5% in adults of 15 years and older. This amounts to an estimated 1,400,000 people living with HIV or AIDS, with a death rate of 81,000 by the end of 2007. About 58% of HIV/AIDS cases occurs in women, while the child AIDS numbers show a shocking 100,000 children of 15 years or younger.

Vaccinations

Maputo inoculations include:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Malaria
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever (if coming from an infected area)

Languages

Maputo languages include the following:
• Portuguese (official language)
• Makua-Longwe
• Tsonga
• Shona
• Swahili

Malaria

Maputo malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Maputo money and banking info is as follows:
• US Dollars and South African Rands are widely accepted
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at most banks, major hotels or airport
• There are a number of ATMs in the city, however these are not always safe so be cautious about withdrawing cash
• Credit cards are accepted at some major hotels or restaurants but not all
• Banking hours are Monday to Friday from 07h30 to 15h30

People

Maputo people include the following groups:
• Makua-Lomwé
• Tsonga
• Europeans
• Indians

Phrase

Maputo local phrases in Portuguese include:
• Hello - Hola
• Goodbye - Até logo
• How much? - Cuanto custa?
• Thank-you - Obrigado
• How are you? - Como esta?
• I am fine - Muito bem obrigado

Vaccinations

Maputo inoculations include:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Malaria
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever (if coming from an infected area)

Plants

There is a varied selection of Maputo plants across the city’s ecosystems, which include tall sand forest, riverine woodlands, open grassland, marshlands, freshwater lakes, lagoons and sea shore. Beautiful palms and lush leafy plants including frangipani and banana plants can also be found, giving the city a very green aspect.

Religion

Maputo religion groups include the following:
• Roman Catholic
• Muslim
• Zionist Christian

Safety Tips

• Maputo is generally safe, however there have been some incidents of petty crime in recent years
• Do not walk around town after dark, especially not on your own
• Keep valuables safe and out of sight in a moneybag under your shirt
• When visiting game areas, do not attempt to touch or feed any wildlife and follow your guide’s instructions at all times
• Take basic safety precautions when swimming, scuba diving or snorkelling

Transport

Maputo local transport options include:
• Car
• Bus
• Taxi

Travel Books

Maputo recommended travel books:
• Maputo: Into Africa Travel Guide Series by David Martin
• Mozambique Bradt Travel Guide 4th Edition by Philip Briggs and Mark Whittington
• Mozambique Lonely Planet Guide by Mary Fitzpatrick
• Running to Maputo by Albie Sachs
• Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa by Norman Arlott, Phil Hockey, Ian Sinclair and Peter Hayman

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Mozambique

What To Buy

• Maputo travel book and Portuguese phrase book
• Sturdy backpack plus decent moneybag for valuables and travel documents
• First aid box filled with basic supplies and equipment
• Sleeping bag and camping mattress if you are on an overlanding tour
• Disposable underwater camera

What To Pack

Sunglasses, sunhat and high factor sunscreen
• Swimming costume and snorkeling set, plus extra beach towels
• Loose, lightweight clothing with long sleeves
• Camera with spare batteries, extra film or memory cards
• Warm jacket for cooler seasons plus comfortable walking shoes and sandals

When To Go

• The best time to visit Maputo is from March to September
• The coolest months are from May to November
• Cyclone season runs from November to April and weather is very bad during these months, with frequent flooding
• November to March are the hottest months of the year
• During Christmas, Easter and August the country is filled with tourists, often from neighbouring South Africa

Wildlife

Maputo wildlife can mostly be found at the beautiful Maputo Special Reserve, which is home to large numbers of elephants as well as other game such as antelope, monkeys and other species. There are also a number of marine species to be found in the beaches around Maputo, including turtles, fish, whale sharks, manta rays and other rare sharks.