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Created in 2021, Maputo National Park amalgamated Maputo Special Reserve with a marine area bordering South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Managed by the Peace Parks Foundation, it protects a spectacular mosaic of grassland, forest, lagoons and beaches inhabited by southern Africa’s last naturally occurring coastal elephants. Thousands of other animals have been translocated since 2010 as part of a rewilding program.
Best Time to Visit
Maputo National Park is not solely a safari destination. Aside from wildlife viewing, the park is visited for its birdlife, beaches, fishing and snorkeling. The ideal time to visit depends on your main interests. July to October are best for land-based wildlife viewing. July to November is when humpback whales migrate past. Late October to late March is when turtles lay eggs on the beaches. Birding is best from November to April.
May to September –Dry Season – Winter
October to April –Wet Season – Summer
Scenery
As might be expected of a northern extension of South Africa's better-known iSimangaliso Wetlands, Maputo NP protects some absolutely stunning coastal scenery. A striking feature of the park is its pristine Indian Ocean beaches, a series of soft, sandy expanses hemmed in by tall forested dunes. Inland, a mosaic of tropical habitats includes rolling grassland, acacia savannah, sand forest and large freshwater lakes.
Activities
The park’s proximity to Maputo makes it ideal for a day trip from the capital city. Self-drive is an option if you have a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle, but a guided drive in an open safari vehicle is generally more rewarding. For many people, the park is more a beach than bush destination. Ocean safaris are highly recommended. You might also see dolphins swim past or turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. Other activities include snorkelling and sea kayaking.
From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day
From: July to October (Animals are easy to find)
From: Mid-December to mid-January (South Africa's school holidays)
From: 1,700km² / 656mi²
The coastal elephants for which Maputo Special Reserve was established in 1932 are flourishing and the national park’s population is now estimated at 450–500. The carnivore most likely to be seen is side-striped jackal, but small numbers of leopard, spotted hyena and cheetah are present. The most common antelope is reedbuck, which likes open grassland, but also look out for eland, nyala, red duiker, common duiker, greater kudu, waterbuck, bushbuck and impala.
Wildlife Highlights
A highlight of Maputo NP is an ocean safari. These are run by operators in Ponta do Ouro but can be booked through lodges in the park. Dolphins are seen frequently and humpback whales can also be spotted during their annual migration from July to November. From late October to late March, both loggerhead and leatherback turtles nest on the beaches. The hatchlings emerge from December through to late May.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The drier months from July to October are the best time for wildlife viewing in Maputo NP. Wildlife is easier to spot at that time because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the lakes and other permanent water sources.
In Maputo National Park, summer and winter are experienced at the opposite times of year to Europe, North America and Asia. The area receives most of its rainfall during the summer (October to April), which is known as the Wet season. It usually starts slightly earlier here than it does in more northern parts of Mozambique. Winter, known as the Dry season, is pleasantly warm and falls from May to September. The park is at sea level and has a subtropical climate. Summer is hot and humid, but the sea breeze lessens the heat greatly.
Dry Season –May to September – Winter
Winter sees much less rain than summer, although an occasional shower could occur at any time due to the coastal location. The temperatures are mild, and skies are generally clear and bright.
Wet Season –October to April – Summer
The heat is intense during the summer and it’s humid. Rain is frequent, though mostly in the afternoons. Heavy thunderstorms occur regularly.
Maputo National Park is in the far south of Mozambique and can easily be reached from the capital city Maputo, or from the nearby resort town of Ponta do Ouro on the border with South Africa. Maputo International Airport (MPM) is about 3km/2mi from the capital city.
Maputo NP is popular with self-drive 4x4 vehicle enthusiasts. The main gate is about 80km/50mi from Maputo and the drive takes under 2 hours*. Coming from the south, the main gate is about 40km/25mi (up to 45 minutes) from Ponta do Ouro or the Kosi Bay border post. Access roads to the main gate are surfaced, but the sandy tracks within the park require a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle.
The park’s lodges can organize road transfers from Maputo or the South African border. They can also arrange helicopter transfers from Maputo International Airport (MPM) and charter flights to Machangulo Airstrip, about an hour’s drive from the lodges.
All domestic and charter flights are usually booked by your tour operator. Scheduled flights from Johannesburg (South Africa) to Maputo can be booked with LAM or SA Airlink.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Maputo International Airport (MPM), and what tickets would cost.
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Mozambique page to learn more about passports, visas, COVID-19, and other entry requirements.
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