"Mozambique - A country of proud people" Top 5 Page for this destination Mozambique by cleocat

Mozambique Travel Guide: 993 reviews and 2,351 photos

Sun rises over Maputo on a beautiful day

When you live in SA you get use to a beggar at every robot. They don't talk or attempt to talk to you. They just stand there with a little notice around the neck where you can read their sad life saga.

I did't once see this in Mozambique.
They didn't even approached us with their products until we showed interest.

But beware once you showed interest they all over you. Not to worry they are always polite and after a while ( if you seem not to be to interested) they start bargaining.

I bought 6 batiks for the price of four. I'm sure if I tried he would have lowered the price more or added another one or two. As it was already cheap just fo four I decided to take the six. For the amount I would have spent on one or two Christmas gifts I got gifts for all the grannies and sisters-in-law.

Then the weather. I thought we were used to hot weather. Mother-in -law stays in Durban so we go there a lot during December. What can be so different? Suprise!! It is hot. Luckily we love the sun so after a day or so we got used to it.

After more than 10 years of being war-free Maputo is still rundown.
There are new buildings but there are still many old buildings that are not looked after. Another thing that was quite bad was the waste just standing in over-full bins in the street. It didn't look as if anybody planned to take it away. The streets are full of dirt and black bags with waste are half opened on the sidewalks. By the smell you can believe it has been there for quite a while.

Being used to big malls and shopping centres where you can find anything, we approached the newly build Polana centre.
What a disapointment. No Woolworths, no Pick and Pay, no CNA, no cinemas. At least while we were there the brand new Game opened (not at the Polana centre though) So there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I don't think we in SA always realise how privileged we are and we take these things for granted.

What saddened me was the effect a crazy war had on this once beautiful country.

You can still see the beauty. The palm trees along the coastal road.
The beautiful gardens at the Polana hotel. The amazing warm azure- blue water at Portugese Islands.

Walking back from the marina, looking at the beach and coastline we decided with a bit of cleaning up of the beaches, a few more hotels, like the Holiday Inn and more restaurants, like the Sagres this could become a holiday mecca again.

Somebody must just take the initiative.(Somebody with lots of dollars) Their money is worth nothing. They actually prefer dollars and rands to their own money.

Polana Hotel

Even though we didn't stay at the Polana we went in for a drink and to see what it looks like.

It has that old colonial feeling. Lots of wood, big soft chairs in the bar etc.

I'm sure it must be great to stay there. The service is great. The verandah/ restaurant has a beautiful view of the gardens and the sea.

View from the verandah at Polana

Pros and Cons

Pros:Sun, sea, friendly people, stunning islands
Cons:Poor country, Maputo is dirty,
In a nutshell:A place with lots of potential.

Last visit to Mozambique: Dec 2004
Intro Updated Nov 5, 2006
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Reviews (18)

Gardens at the Polana Hotel Things to Do (6)

On one of our walking excursions a beer became necessary. The Polana was close by. What a beautiful place. The gardens... more travel advice

The beach from the Holiday Inn Things to Do (6)

I found the sea at Maputo had a grey/ brown colour. Gary said it could have been because it rained quite heavily in the... more travel advice

Spaza shop Off The Beaten Path (4)

On the way back to the airport I took this photo. It was raining and it was taken out of the window. It is quite a way... more travel advice

Fly SAA or LAM Transportation (3)

SAA as well as LAM (mozambique's airline) fly from South Africa to Maputo. There are flights daily. SAA was fully... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Dec 30, 2005

4 photos

How quickly the sun rises

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Comments (24)

hunterV Apr 2, 2009 at 11:31 AM Report Abuse

Hello, Annette ! Thanks for your nice story....
pginer Jan 29, 2008 at 10:30 AM Report Abuse

Very good tips! just thinking about going there .... many thanks!
Sininen Jan 20, 2008 at 11:17 AM Report Abuse

You've given me this sudden urge to travel to Mozambique and one day I will. Great page, well written with lovely pictures. Happy Birthday from Finland!
Tasia Sep 25, 2007 at 5:02 AM Report Abuse

What a beautifull sunrise!!!!Can not even emagine that such beauty is real...
IoannaE Jul 16, 2007 at 5:02 AM Report Abuse

No woolworths and multiplex cinemas? I'm going !! Seriously, I fail to understand why people want to find the exact same things everywhere they travel. Might as well stay at home, no?
royalempress Oct 6, 2006 at 1:10 PM Report Abuse

Great Travel Pages!!! Thanks for the comment on my Orvieto Page. Mike
vilip Oct 6, 2006 at 6:53 AM Report Abuse

Your pages are really good! Congratulations for your Mozambique one!
cokes Oct 1, 2006 at 4:51 PM Report Abuse

Thanx for the birthday wishes Annette. I really had a good day. Anyway I hope you all well.
Lapadee Jul 18, 2006 at 12:26 AM Report Abuse

Hi, I live in Mozambique, 11 kilometers outside the city. My friend who works with street children told me this GORGEOUS home was used during the war for torture so no one will enter it (for example street kids needing a place to sleep) It is stunning!
hindu1936 Mar 19, 2006 at 12:50 AM Report Abuse

thanks cleocat. our route changed to go through mozambique because botswana is too wild. every tip that offers real advice is great.