The Capital City:
Formerly called Lourenzo Marquez, Maputo is the densely populated port city that serves as the capital of Mozambique. Expansive and popular, the city is much more obliging to tourists than most others in the country – there is even an international airport within its limits.

30 kilometers south of the city is the Maputo Elephant Reserve. James Blanchard, the late American investor, began a project in the late 1990s to increase and enhance tourist facilities. He would combine safari trips with trips to nearby beaches and islands. He lost his funding, however, as the project did not progress as expected. Sadly, the elephant population that was close to 350 in the early 1970s has decreased to less than 100 today. The reserve also houses hippos and crocidiles, antelope, and almost 400 species of birds.

Xai-Xai (Shy-shy):
Xai-Xai is the capital of the province of Gaza, the province immediately to the north of Maputo. Dense in business, namely trade and fishing, with numerous buildings, this town with a beautiful beach is more famous for its survival. The flood of 2000 caused a significant amount of damage, but the town recovered and is already fully flourishing and growing more than ever before.

Ilha Do Mocambique (The Island of Mozambique):
The Island of Mozambique, known to most locals as simply Ilia (Ilha), is a small coral island sized 2.5km (1.55 miles) north to south and 600 meters (roughly 1/3 of a mile) east to west. Several of the oldest extant colonial buildings of the Southern Hemisphere remain standing here. The city continues to hold prominence as one of the most beautiful cities in South Africa, and especially for its ship building which has reigned since before Da Gama sailed by at the end of the 15th century. Ilha do Mocambique is “one of the few old towns in Africa that has by and large kept its historical appearance.”

“Every historical source that I’m aware of states that the Muslim population was forced to relocate to the mainland during the four centuries when Mozambique Island was the Portuguese centre of operations in East Africa.” However, once the capital was moved and the Portuguese fled Mozambique in 1975, the Muslims slowly came back over to their home city. This gives the city a more historical feel.

Fortress of Sao Sebastao – former governor’s palace and the Church of Senhora Saude.

The Church of Nossa Senhora Baluarte - the only 16th century building to have survived to present day – built in 1522 & the oldest standing European building in the southern hemisphere.

Beira:
Beira is one of the coastal cities of Mozambique. The main attraction of this city is the Gorongoza Mountain and National Park in the northwestern corner of Beira, close to the Zimbabwe border. Here, you may see over 200 bird varieties. Once, Gorongoza held a high reserve of the nation’s wild game, which brought thousands of visitors in every year; however, the war necessitated that game be used as food, so various species of buffalo, large cat, deer, and antelope no longer inhabit the area.