Nature of Mozambique - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Africa is different. Some travelers see the continent during their journeys to big cities and meetings with people who have good jobs and regularly visit cafes to enjoy a cup of coffee. Some travelers – they are the minority – take a backpack and a first-aid kit and head to rural areas. They see a completely different Africa, a place where there are many poor people and some still have only a bottle of water per day. These tourists visit small villages and meet ordinary people. Tourists, who visited small settlements in the countryside of Mozambique, will say that this is a poor country and it is incredibly hard to live here. However, tourists, who stayed in the coastal areas, will say the opposite.

The majority of tourist objects in Mozambique are located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. However, backpackers should know about all kinds of destinations in the country. The mainland rural areas are significantly poorer. People live harsh lives here, and tourists shouldn’t visit this part of Mozambique alone. There are definite problems with transport – sometimes an old minibus is the only vehicle that connects two settlements. As a rule, trucks are more widespread than minibuses. These trucks do not have seats and have ropes instead of hand-rails. The trucks set off once a day and do not have a fixed schedule. The roads are unsurfaced and are in poor condition. It can take many hours to move between different settlements. There is a lack of clean drinking water, and local people might be not very friendly because they live hard lives.

The Bazaruto Archipelago is a different story. This is a piece of paradise on earth. This is the best destination for foreign leisure travelers. The prices are quite high but local hotels offer quality food, service, entertainment, and clean beaches. The Island of Mozambique is another interesting destination. A 3-kilometer-long bridge connects the island to the mainland. There are several unique medieval landmarks on this relatively small island. The Fort of San Sebastian (1508) on the north, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte (1522) inside the fort, and the Palace and Chapel of Sao Paolo (1610) nearby. All historic landmarks are in great condition. Besides them, there are quality hotels and restaurants on the island. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Cahora Bassa Lake is an interesting place to visit in Mozambique. This artificial lake appeared when a power electrical plant was built on the Zambezi River. The lake is 250 meters deep. Its length is 250 kilometers, and its width is 38 kilometers. It took only one rainy season to fill such a huge water basin. Beautiful trees and bushes adorn the lake, creating truly scenic views. Cahora Bassa looks particularly attractive at sunset. There are two hotels near the lakeshore, Moringa Bay Lodge and Sunset Bay Lodge, but it is not easy to reach them.

The Zinave National Park preserves the natural habitat of numerous wild animals, such as black hippos, hyenas, zebras, elephants, giraffes, leopards, and various birds. Besides forests, a part of the park is used to cultivate fruit and herbs. One more interesting park, the Gorongosa National Park, is situated approximately 200 kilometers from Beira. There are a hotel and a restaurant in the territory of the park. A safari here is a unique opportunity to see African fauna in its natural habitat. Hippos, buffalos, crocodiles, lions, monkeys, leopards, antelopes – it is hard to mention all species that live here.

Chitengo, the hotel that is open in the park, offers small bungalows or a spacious cottage. Guests are allowed to make their own camps. As not many tourists visit this park, the place is really wild and almost has no people. There are safe short-distance areas that people can explore on foot. Needless to say, these are truly unforgettable small excursions. Car safaris offer long rides deeper into the park. You will never be alone as there is always a guide to accompany you. The lodging and excursion rates are high. The road of poor quality leads to the park. It is hard to reach Gorongosa in an own or rented car especially when it is raining. The journey time can be significantly longer than expected. Taxi is a better option.

The Maputo Special Reserve is located to the south of the capital. Animals also live in their natural habitat here. Buffalos, antelopes, hippos, elephants, and countless species of birds – everyone lives in good conditions here. There are no asphalt roads in the park, so visitors explore the area in all-terrain vehicles. There are several hotels in the Maputo Special Reserve. As a rule, they offer small villas (Bela Rocha Lodge) and houses (Anvil Bay).

If you decide to travel in Mozambique independently as a backpacker, pay your attention to the affordable lodging in hostels and guesthouses in such cities as Pemba, Vilankulos, Tofo, Beira, Matola, the capital city of Maputo, and the coastal towns. These cities have a vibrant lifestyle and are safe for foreign guests. Remote rural areas are poor, and people survive as they can. It is even possible to see roasted mice dishes in north Mozambique. That is why solo travelers are better to stay closer to the ocean. There are quality hotels for any budget, and local restaurants offer delicious freshly caught fish.