Mozambique is a mosaic of Indian Ocean beaches, Afro-Portuguese flavors, and wildlife-packed reserves. Once a key Portuguese outpost, it gained independence in 1975 and has been steadily reviving its cities and coastal towns. Expect soulful marrabenta beats, seafood feasts, and a coastline so luminous it feels painted on.

Maputo, the capital, is all art-deco grandeur and palm-lined avenues, where ironwork by Eiffel’s atelier meets bustling markets and pastel de nata bakeries. Just across the border lies South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park, while closer to home the Maputo National Park brings elephants to the dunes. Up the coast, Tofo Beach is a magnet for divers and ocean lovers, famed for manta rays and seasonal whale sharks.

Practical notes: The currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN) and Portuguese is widely spoken. Many nationalities can apply for an e-visa; check current rules before travel. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended, especially for parks and coastal areas. Avoid northern Cabo Delgado due to ongoing advisories; this itinerary focuses on the south.

Maputo

Maputo blends grand colonial architecture with contemporary street art and a thriving café culture. Visit the iconic Railway Station, the Iron House (Casa de Ferro), and FEIMA craft market for locally carved ebony, capulana fabrics, and beadwork. The seafood—prawns with piri‑piri, matapa (cassava leaves with coconut)—is among Africa’s most memorable.

• Top sights: Maputo Central Railway Station, Fortress of Maputo, Tunduru Botanical Gardens, Iron House, FEIMA (artisans’ market), Museum of Natural History.
• Dining highlights: Zambi for seafood on the bay, Costa do Sol for legendary prawns, Piri-Piri for peri‑peri chicken, Mundos for reliable pizza and hearty breakfasts, Dhow Café for sunset cocktails.
• Where to stay: Classic city views at Hotel Cardoso (mid), beachside at Southern Sun (mid-upper), stylish value at ONOMO (mid), or backpacker-friendly Fatima’s Place (budget). Browse stays on Hotels.com or apartment stays on VRBO.
• Getting there: Fly into Maputo (MPM). Compare routes and fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive in Maputo, Bayfront Stroll, and Seafood Welcome

Afternoon: Land in Maputo and check in. If you’d like a pre-arranged ride, consider a private transfer. Stretch your legs along Avenida Julius Nyerere to glimpse embassy architecture and jacaranda trees, then browse FEIMA for hand‑woven baskets and woodcarvings.

Evening: Dinner at Zambi—try peri‑peri prawns or grilled line fish with cassava chips. For a nightcap, head to Dhow Café for a rooftop lounge vibe and ocean breeze; their passionfruit caipirinhas are a local favorite.

Day 2: Maputo’s History, Architecture, and Flavors

Morning: Coffee and eggs at Mundos (good espresso, hearty breakfasts). Then join this superb city introduction:

Maputo Downtown Walking Tour — uncover the station’s wrought iron domes, the Iron House, and hidden murals with a local guide.

Afternoon: Lunch at the Mercado do Peixe (New Fish Market): buy fresh tiger prawns and calamari by weight, then choose a stall to grill it with lemon and garlic; pair with xima (maize porridge) or coconut rice. Pop by the Museum of Natural History for the unique elephant embryo exhibit, then cool off under the mango trees at Tunduru Gardens.

Evening: Either take a food-focused experience or DIY tasting crawl. Consider the Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Mozambique Maputo to sample matapa, badjia (black-eyed pea fritters), and coconut sweets with context from locals.

If you go DIY, try Piri‑Piri for flame‑grilled chicken and Txhapo Txhapo for a casual burger and local craft beers.

Day 3: Safari in Maputo National Park (Elephants, Dunes, and Lagoons)

Full-day tour: Early pickup for a day inside Maputo National Park, where coastal lakes, dunes, and woodlands attract elephants, hippo, antelope, and abundant birdlife. Stops often include wild beaches where the reserve meets the Indian Ocean.

Book: Maputo National Park (Maputo Special Reserve) Full-day Tour

Post-safari dinner: Costa do Sol (an institution since the 1930s). Order the grilled prawns or LM-style peri‑peri chicken; sit upstairs for breezes and sweeping bay views.

Day 4: Big Five Day — Kruger National Park from Maputo

Full-day tour: Pre-dawn departure for the South African border, then into Kruger National Park in an open-backed vehicle. With luck you’ll tick off lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard, alongside giraffe, zebra, and eagles. Expect a 12–14 hour day including border formalities; bring your passport and check your visa eligibility for South Africa.

Book: Full Day Kruger Safari from Maputo (Open-Backed Safari Vehicle)

Late return: Grab a light bite near Sommershield—Dhow Café for tapas or Mundos for a quick pizza—then turn in.

Tofo

Tofo, near the historic town of Inhambane, is Mozambique’s beachy soul: sweeping crescents of sand, coconut palms, and a sandy main square dotted with surf shops and fruit stalls. Divers come for manta rays at Manta Reef and seasonal whale sharks that cruise the plankton-rich waters.

• Top experiences: Ocean safari to spot whale sharks and dolphins, dives at Manta Reef and Giants Castle, surf at Tofinho, sunset dunes at Barra, market-grilled crayfish.
• Food and drink: Branko’s (charcoal-grilled seafood and pizzas), Tofo Tofo (Mozambican curries and live music nights), Casa de Comer (fresh pasta and catch of the day), Mozambeat Hotel (creative cocktails and DJ nights).
• Where to stay: Boutique B&Bs like Baia Sonambula (mid), fun midrange at Mozambeat Hotel, eco-chic huts at Kumba Lodge, or budget bungalows at Fatima’s Nest. Browse options on Hotels.com and VRBO.
• Getting there from Maputo: 1 hr flight to Inhambane (then 25–30 min road to Tofo), typically $90–$150 one-way; compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Overland shuttles take ~7–8 hours and cost ~$25–30.

Day 5: Maputo to Tofo + Easy Beach Time

Morning: Fly Maputo–Inhambane (~1 hour) or take an early backpacker shuttle (~7–8 hours). From Inhambane airport, grab a 4x4 taxi to Tofo (30 minutes). Check in.

Afternoon: Light lunch at Tofo Tofo (order matapa or prawn curry). Wander the market for coconuts and cashews, then take a mellow swim on Tofo’s main beach or a beginner-friendly surf lesson.

Evening: Dinner at Branko’s: share a seafood platter or their famed fillet steak with garlic butter. Post-dinner, sip a Laurentina beer at the square or walk the shoreline under a sky crowded with stars.

Day 6: Ocean Safari, Dunes, and Nightlife

Morning: Ocean safari (2–3 hours) by RIB to spot whale sharks (best chances in warmer months) and pods of spinner/bottlenose dolphins; mantas are often seen by divers year-round. Non-divers get excellent snorkeling over reefs with parrotfish and turtles. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.

Afternoon: Head to Barra for the sand dunes and the mangrove estuary. Rent a quad bike or take a local boat to a sandbar at low tide; pack snorkel gear for shallow seagrass beds where seahorses are sometimes spotted. Late snack: market-grilled crayfish with lemon and piri‑piri.

Evening: Dinner at Casa de Comer (try tuna carpaccio and homemade pasta). If it’s a music night, swing by Mozambeat Hotel for live sets or DJ parties by the pool.

Day 7: Sunrise Swim and Return to Maputo for Departure

Morning: Sunrise at Tofinho, where waves crash into basalt shelves. Quick coffee and smoothie bowl at a local café, then transfer to Inhambane for a late‑morning flight back to Maputo. Aim to land by early afternoon to comfortably make your onward flight.

Afternoon: If time allows, a farewell lunch in Maputo: Txhapo Txhapo for quick bites or one last plate of prawns at Zambi. Head to MPM for your afternoon departure.

Optional Swap: Island Day from Maputo

If you prefer to stay in Maputo and trade Tofo for a day on the islands, consider this adventure to sand-bar heavens, snorkeling reefs, and village life:

Island Paradise: Inhaca, Santa Maria and Portuguese Island — a full-day speedboat trip to lagoon-clear waters and sugar-white beaches, with time to swim and snorkel.

Getting Around and Budget Tips

• Flights: Compare domestic and regional fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Domestic one‑ways Maputo–Inhambane generally $90–$150.
• Overland: Shared shuttles Maputo–Tofo ~7–8 hours, ~$25–30. Private transfers run ~$180–250 per vehicle.
• Meals: With a midrange budget, plan ~$15–25 per person for sit‑down dinners in Maputo, ~$10–20 in Tofo; market seafood can be great value.
• Cash: ATMs are common in Maputo; fewer in Tofo. Carry some MZN for markets and small cafés.

Summary: In one week you’ll trace Maputo’s architectural gems and culinary stories, track elephants to the ocean in Maputo National Park, and—if you choose—chase Kruger’s Big Five. Cap it with Tofo’s warm shallows, manta-dappled reefs, and sunsets that seem to linger just for you.